High School Graduation Year:
2021
What did you do right after graduation? College/career/travel/military?
My educational journey began at Jefferson Community and Technical College, where I studied Education for two years and graduated with honors in 2023 at just 19 years old. I was honored to serve as Valedictorian and Commencement Speaker, representing my graduating class and sharing a message of perseverance, achievement, and believing in one’s potential. After earning my degree, I continued my education by pursuing a four-year degree in Organizational Leadership and Learning, with a minor in Human Resources and Leadership. I graduated with honors, further strengthening my passion for education, leadership, and community service. In 2023, I founded Truth 502 Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering underserved children throughout Louisville, Kentucky. Through Truth 502 Inc., I provide summer programs, free tutoring, educational enrichment, mentorship opportunities, and community events designed to create positive experiences and greater opportunities for children and families. My journey is a reflection of my commitment to education, leadership, and service, and I remain dedicated to using my knowledge, experiences, and platform to make a lasting difference in the lives of young people and throughout the Louisville community.
Please describe DeSales in three words.
Faith. Excellence. Community.
Where are you and what are you doing now?
I am currently running my nonprofit organization full-time, and preparing to expand to different parts of Louisville now. I’m still in Louisville, Kentucky.
What do you like most about what you are doing?
I love that I get to do God’s work and I get to continue being a good and faithful servant by caring for his children all around Louisville. Every day I get to put a smile on kids face by helping them attend event, events, and joint programs for an inexpensive cost, and sometimes for free through partnerships and sponsors.
What is your favorite memory about DeSales?
My favorite memory about DeSales is going through the phase of learning what a great deal of failure, man and how it wasn’t just a negative thing, but it turns into a positive thing when you learned that failure teaches you what success looks like. The only way to learn how to succeed is learning how to fail first. The lightbulb effect when everything starts to make sense and I realize I can be anything I want to be in this world.
Who influenced you most during your time at DeSales?
Mr. Swearingen
What classes and learning experiences did you have at DeSales that are beneficial to the work you do?
I would say theology because it teaches me the life of Christ and how to be more Christlike in this world after DeSales. I feel like learning about Jesus is the greatest thing in a young man can have because without that, you don’t know where you’re going.
What is the most important thing you learned while you were at DeSales?
The value of brotherhood and how to be there for one another, not just during our time at DeSales, but after.
What advice do you have for current (or potential) students at DeSales?
Be kind to everyone in this world because you never know who you may need one day. Never judge a man or anyone about where they stand today because you never know what they had to get through to be in the position they are now.
What is your favorite DeSales Event? Why?
Colt Fest because it brings everybody together and we get out of school early.
What do you like to do in your free time?
My schedule can be kind of busy sometimes but in my free time I do a lot with my Truth 502 kids because I don’t get to spend a lot of time with them. I play games with them like 2K and Madden and also have cookouts, and just a lot of bonding. I especially like attending DeSales football games.
What is something people may not know about you?
I am the youngest president of a nonprofit in Louisville, Kentucky
Do you still stay in touch with any of your DeSales friends?
Yes
What’s next for you/where do you see yourself in five years?
What’s next for me is to marry my best friend that I’ve been with for a while and also open up a Truth 502 building where we can provide a series of events throughout the years.