Lanston Whitlock is a self-made entrepreneur that grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. Whitlock started coding at the age of 12 when he built a anonymous messaging app that would allow him to contact his absent father. Whitlock talks about how his first project helps guide him into his future and what he wants to accomplish. The idea for SAFETRIP came along when Co-founder Ja’Nese Jean saw and talked to a homeless veteran who 
said people around Atlanta don’t have transportation to get to medical appointments. She quickly brought on Whitlock just at the age of 17 who she had met years prior working at local events. Above all, she brought Whitlock on due to his coding experience and creativity to make the app. In 2018, they launched SAFETRIP as the world’s first healthcare transportation mobile app and digital health platform. SAFETRIP allows users to harness Whitlock’s patented technology to book non-emergency and emergency medical transport. Users are offered premium cars, vans, wheelchair accessible vehicles, and ambulances with the option of paying for services with insurance. The app itself launched in 2018 and in 2019 and made $3.4 million in revenue; also, it currently has $2 million in funding. SAFETRIP found a way to help the community around them. Whitlock talks about how his faith has played a role in his journey “Whatever you’re good at is likely what you’re called to do, and never give up. Even if your dad walks out of your life, pray to God and try to move forward with your life. God will provide resources”. Whitlock acknowledges that if you put God first in your life the rest will follow. Additionally, Whitlock has never let his age get in the way of his purpose and journey. He continues to inspire millions of people around the world.
Sources:
Meet The 16-year-old Genius Behind SAFETRIP’s Technology – AfroTech
Meet 16 Teen Founders Who Are Building Big Businesses — and Making Big Money | Entrepreneur
This is an interesting entrepreneur! Never heard of him. I like his focus on helping the community for transportation. Even for non-emergencies, i could see a lot of parents wanting their kids to have the safe trip app.
Wow–the ways Whitlock has discovered to use his talent for coding is astounding. His “first project” was undoubtedly a pursuit riddled with a lot of emotions and pain for him personally, but it set him up to successfully connect with so many other people in need of help. And what a beautiful difference to be making in other people’s lives by the age of sixteen! I do wonder how Ja’Nese Jean managed to connect with Whitlock and hire him on, but that was an amazing bridge to have been built nonetheless.