YYGS, has made me a more confident and aware individual. I am able to speak in front of groups without the anxious feeling that I use to have. I am also able to effectively communicate and share my ideas and thoughts without doubting or second guessing myself. This was a life changing experience for me. It is my sincere hope that others in my community will take advantage of this opportunity.
Since leaving YYGS, I have become more active in my community. In August of 2021, I started an organization called Village Vangaurd, whose mission is to use sports, entertainment, and culture to inspire youth. My hope is to motivate communities through a combination of mentoring and humanitarian efforts. Village Vanguard’s vision is for a better tomorrow, to build confidence in our communities and our youth and their dreams.
I have adopted streets in the underserved communities and am responsible for their upkeep and monthly cleaning. I’ve also started an after-school snack pantry that provides food for youth who would normally go without. Students can take food from the snack box weekdays after school. It is my hope to expand my snack box program to more areas.