Our Story

Shama Challenge began the way art often does: with an idea, a blank page, and the courage to create something that did not yet exist.

In 2019, I went to a startup meetup in Cambridge, and that's where I met Terry Krangar. We stood out for the same reason: we were the only two Black people in the room.

In time, Terry would invite me to join his tech startup and help grow the company. Together, we began looking for minority entrepreneurs with ideas we could help bring to life.

A Craigslist ad introduced me to Gary Ward.

Gary came to us with an idea for an app called “Battle,” along with handwritten product specifications and detailed wireframes showing how it could work. He envisioned a platform where performing artists could battle one another and earn from their talent.

His idea felt personal to me. Growing up, poetry and drawing had been my own forms of creative expression. Gary's vision connected my love for the arts with the possibilities of technology in a way I had never considered.

Before the three of us became a team, I needed to make sure Terry understood that Gary had served time and was rebuilding his life.

Without hesitation, Terry said:

“He paid his debt to society. I don't have a problem with that.”

And with that, the three of us became a team.

The idea was strong, but “Battle” was not the right name. During one of our conversations, Gary told me about Shammah, a warrior who stood his ground when everyone else fled.

His story reminded me of the courage it takes for an artist to step forward, face a challenger, and place their talent before an audience. I suggested naming the platform after him.

As Gary and I talked through the name, my wife Joanne overheard us saying “Shammah.”

“SHAMA!” she repeated with an energy that caught our attention.

Gary and I laughed and said it again. Joanne had co-signed the name, and the way she said it made everything click.

That was the moment Battle became Shama Challenge.

Today, I continue building the vision that brought us together: a platform where performing artists can challenge one another, connect with fans, create opportunities through their talent, and be discovered by an engaged audience.

We believe every artist deserves a chance.

Every voice deserves to be heard. Every talent deserves to be seen.