Today we’d like to introduce you to Adam Schwartz
Hi Adam , thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
The journey of TWO BLACK RAVENS FOUNDATION started in 2023, but its origins go back to my time in the Air Force Special Warfare community. After over 16 years as a Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) member and a medical retirement in 2016, I was left dealing with both physical and emotional scars from multiple deployments to Iraq.
I found photography as a way to express the emotions I couldn’t put into words, which quickly became a personal healing journey. By 2021, I had established myself as a published photographer and writer, particularly in boudoir photography. But I wanted to use my skills for something more impactful.
In 2023, I founded TWO BLACK RAVENS FOUNDATION with the goal of helping wounded, injured, or ill veterans find healing through art. While many organizations raise awareness about veteran issues, I wanted to create actionable solutions, offering veterans a chance to rediscover their strength and purpose through creative expression.
We offer workshops and gallery shows that foster a supportive community and provide lifelong skills. Our three-phase programming ensures continued progress and ownership of the healing process. TWO BLACK RAVENS is more than an organization—it’s a movement to promote generational healing within the military community. Watching veterans transform through art has been the most rewarding part of this journey, as we’re not just creating art; we’re creating hope.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s been anything but a smooth road for us at TWO BLACK RAVENS FOUNDATION. The staggering reality that 6,570 veterans take their lives each year—18 every single day—deeply motivates our mission. When we factor in accidental overdoses from self-medication, that number tragically more than doubles to 14,600. This harsh truth drives us, but it also highlights the immense challenges we face.
We’re racing against time to show that there’s a more effective way to support veterans. However, tackling entrenched systems is no easy feat. Bureaucracy often prioritizes process over results, muddying the waters. Despite a dramatic increase in the Veterans Affairs budget for mental health—from $2.4 billion to $8.9 billion—suicide rates remain alarmingly high. Sometimes, the very structures meant to help can inadvertently create incentives to keep problems alive.
As a new foundation with a fresh perspective, we’ve faced skepticism from potential donors and grantors. Many wonder why we believe we can succeed where larger organizations like the VA have struggled. It’s a valid question, but we’re confident that our focus on creative expression and a results-driven approach can truly make a difference.
Funding has also been a challenge, as we need to standardize our equipment and supplies. Without this critical support, our training can feel fragmented, making it harder for participants to fully engage in the healing process. Standardization is essential not just for efficiency, but also for gathering reliable data to evaluate and replicate our success nationwide. I want to make TWO BLACK RAVENS FOUNDATION “THE HUB OF HEALING”.
Despite these hurdles, our commitment remains unwavering. The chance to save even one life or provide a veteran with the tools to heal makes every challenge worthwhile. We’re dedicated to pushing forward, refining our approach, and proving that there is a better way to support our veterans.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
TWO BLACK RAVENS FOUNDATION is more than an organization; it’s a mission fueled by real experience and a commitment to change. As a veteran, I’ve witnessed firsthand the challenges our brothers and sisters face. This personal journey shapes our unique approach, setting us apart from those who may not fully understand the realities of combat.
Let me share a story that drives my passion for this work. In 2011, while I was deployed with the Army, tasked with shutting down operations in Iraq. Late one evening, I went to the bathroom trailer, a normal routine in a combat zone where even the simplest things can feel surreal. As I stood at the urinal, a soldier walked in. Being polite and acknowledging his existence, I nodded and said, “How ya doing.” The guy didn’t respond, just walked quietly to the last stall.
It was a brief moment, one that might have seemed insignificant—until it wasn’t. As I washed my hands and headed back to the Tactical Operations Center, a gunshot echoed behind me. That soldier, the one I had just spoken to, had taken his own life in the bathroom stall.
In that haunting instant, everything changed. I had been the last person to acknowledge that soldier, the last to speak to him. And though I couldn’t have known what was coming, the weight of that moment has stayed with me ever since. It was a brutal reminder of the silent battles so many veterans fight, battles we often don’t see until it’s too late.
This is why Two Black Ravens Foundation exists. It’s not just about art or programs—it’s about creating a place where veterans can process their pain, connect with others, and find hope before they feel like they have no other choice. These moments are real, they’re heartbreaking, and they’re why we must act. We’re here to help save lives.
This and many similar experiences like this is what drives our mission at TWO BLACK RAVENS FOUNDATION. But what truly sets us apart is the fact we specialize in four key areas: ART THERAPY, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNITY SUPPORT and ADVOCACY.
Using art as a powerful outlet for healing, our three-phase approach to our programs empowers participants to take charge of their journeys. Our business development initiatives help veterans turn their artistic talents into sustainable livelihoods. While initiatives like our Art for Life 100×100 Challenge invites community members to join us in raising awareness about veteran suicide; and they receive a “Keep Fighting, Keep Healing, The World Still Needs You” shirt and hat as symbols of their commitment. Through advocacy, we lead by example and hold other entities accountable, helping them recognize that these are real people’s lives on the line not just boxes to tick for a paycheck.
I’m incredibly proud of the community we’ve built! However, we can’t do this alone… we need yours and your readers help to continue this fight. Whether it’s joining our Art for Life challenge, spreading the word, or donating, your involvement can truly make a difference. Together, we can change the narrative and bring real hope and healing to our veterans! Feel free to visit https://www.twoblackravensfoundation.org/artforlife
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
From a young age, I was deeply influenced by my experiences, shaping who I am today. In fact my dad, an artist, involved me in his work from an early age, using me as a model for some of his art projects. This early exposure to creativity sparked my appreciation for art and its incredible potential for healing later on.
I spent countless hours volunteering at the local retirement home from the age of 12 until I graduated. That formative experience instilled in me a strong sense of compassion and a commitment to service, which are still at the heart of my mission.
I also had a passion for sports, but despite my enthusiasm, I never made it onto the high school teams. Instead of discouraging me, that challenge fueled my determination, pushing me harder during the TACP assessment and selection process. I felt a burning desire to prove to myself that I could achieve more.
Overall as I was growing up, I tended to be soft-spoken and caring, with a bit of a passive streak. But beneath that, I had a fierce anti-authoritarian side that hinted at my deep-down nature as a protector. While I’ve definitely evolved over the years, that caring, protective spirit is still a core part of who I am—maybe even more so now.
I was lucky to be raised by two amazing parents who continue to guide and support me. They’re even on the board of our foundation! Despite their best efforts to give me sage advice, I must admit—I don’t always take it. Haha! I truly believe in the value of failing and experiencing life firsthand. After all, failure is life’s greatest teacher. I also have a younger brother I sort of grew up with. He is ten years my junior, and despite that we’ve always been super close. He’s currently serving in the military, which adds a whole new layer to our bond.
One of my biggest dreams growing up was to travel and experience life beyond my little corner of the world. I think my wanderlust comes from my adventurous parents, who always took us on trips, even if it was just a simple day outing to explore nature when funds were tight. To this day, I still join them on road trips across America, visiting family and discovering new places. Their zest for life and adventure continues to inspire me, and it’s a spirit I carry with me wherever I go!
Pricing:
- $100-$499 Donation: Keep Fighting Keep Healing Shirt and Hat
- $500-$999 Donation: All the above plus a sweatshirt and limited edition art print.
- $1,000-$4,999 Donation: All the above plus a Two Black Raven custom engraved plaque
- $5,000-$9,999 Donation: All the above plus a personalized Two Black Ravens Foundation hardcover coffee table art book
- $10,000-$14,999 Donation: All the above plus original wall-art photo or painting
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.twoblackravensfoundation.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twoblackravensfoundation.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Two-Black-Ravens-Foundation-100092714443191/
- Other: [email protected]
Image Credits
Adam Schwartz – Photography
Jessie Schwartz – Paintings
