Greetings!
Thank you for visiting Onward and Upward Academy and learning about our journey! We're dedicated to making an impactful difference in youth and the community. Together, we can create a better future for all. Please join us in our mission to create a brighter future!
Our Story
For over 15 years, Onward and Upward Academy has been helping youth chase greatness in every aspect of their lives.
The Intro.
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In the fall of 2007, Onward and Upward Academy was conceived in Sacramento, California. The previous year, I started the career that I perceived to be my purpose in life, a Probation Officer for Madison County, IL. I’ve known my purpose since sixth grade--I was always obsessed with helping and inspiring people. I’d spend countless hours staying up on school nights thinking about how I could make a difference, make someone feel better. It could have been something as simple as a smile, a conversation, storytelling, or outward jokes to brighten up someone’s day. So, since sixth grade, I’ve dedicated my life to working with a sense of urgency and excellence in everything I did so that I could quickly reach my full potential. During my youth, Mr. Philip White was a very impactful role model, who would later become my mentor. He represented for me, not just a role model, but a “prototype”, the “torch holder” that allowed me to start creating, growing, believing, and building Onward and Upward Academy to high standards, to excellence.
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Building Blocks.
I graduated high school with honors, served in the US Army as a Sergeant/Platoon leader and after my military career, I went on to receive a couple degrees from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, Illinois. I was so committed during my college life that I completed and received my Bachelor’s Degree in two and a half years. I maintained coursework of 18 credit hours in the fall, spring, and summer, I worked a part time job, played on the university’s baseball team and was very honored to serve in a leadership role with my dear fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha!
During my college tenure, I also worked as a volunteer mentor for the Madison County Probation Department in Edwardsville, Illinois. Now, I knew that after graduating college I would secure a position with Madison County Probations because I confidently gained the trust of the Probation Department’s leadership, through my selfless service, innovative programming and consistent involvement/commitment with the youth and youth programs. In this role, I had an opportunity to engage, mentor and inspire countless youth.
The Long Sigh.
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I was employed with the Madison County Probation Office, but within a year of employment I became empty and disappointed. While I was able to create and implement programs that would help kids understand and overcome challenges they faced in their daily life, it always seemed that there wasn’t enough time to effectively affect positive change in all the youth, without leaving someone behind. During my military career, I was introduced to the concept “No Man Left Behind”, which is a basic principle ingrained in each soldier. This same principle was embedded in me during my college life experience within my fraternity. The intimacy of brotherhood and family is embodied in the phrase “He’s not heavy, He’s my brother”. This same belief has reoccurred throughout my life and has been a part of me since the sixth grade. I vowed that “success” or “to be successful” means helping and inspiring others, without leaving anyone behind!
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The Realization.
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My sense of gratification from helping and inspiring others was still definitely there, but my level of frustration and sadness was rising daily. One day while practicing self-meditation and oneness, I was able to see clearly and understand what was going on emotionally. You see, all my life I have received a sense of euphoria and gratification when helping others attain a sense of confidence, happiness, and inner peace. As a probation officer, my ability to create and implement had been shackled and taken away through legal parameters. For the youth in my caseloads, interaction outside of work was not allowed, college mentorships and partnerships that I had created were not allowed and bringing enriching programs and services to the youth within the walls of the detention center had to meet certain legalities. Although I understood the legal structure regarding the safety and protection of all, I believed more than anything that helping youth by any means should be the goal! After growing dissatisfied and defeated with the continuous denial of programs, inability to affect change for every youth within that structure, I decided to walk away!
The Transition.
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In June of 2006, I accepted a position with the federal government and moved to Maryville, California. For an entire year, I spent countless hours practicing self-meditation and self-oneness, which helped me vibrate on a higher frequency and gain clarity. Remembering that I vowed that “success” means helping and inspiring others, without leaving anyone behind! During this process, I discovered four things: One, an individual's purpose is shackleless! Two, my purpose was still what I knew it to be since the sixth grade and that it had never changed (to inspire youth and help them reach their full potential and become obsessed with their purpose). Three, I was in the right sports complex, but I was in the wrong gym metaphorically. One’s purpose and destiny contain freedom--freedom to create and innovate and freedom to implement and inspire beyond measures! Four, everyone in life is born with a tool bag and throughout life they will continue to place and fill their tool bag with tools they’ll continue to use throughout their journey!
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Life has meaning!
I’d been filling my tool bag with knowledge, skills, and abilities that I would need which would catapult and propel me to become a “master in my purpose”. I learned many characteristics, qualities, and traits, from my mentor Mr. Philip White. He inspired me by modeling how to articulate and convey messaging, how to dress and present myself, but most of all important life principles such as: Attitude is everything, be of service to others, character is important, and whatever you do, do it in love. During my military tenure I learned mental fortitude, the power of selfless service, and to set standards and examples for others to emulate. My college tenure trained me how to self-motivate and educated me on the importance of a strong work ethic and dedication. And, with my beloved undergraduate and alumni brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity Incorporated, I was able to put into action everything that was ever a part of me, now, more than ever: manly deeds, love for all mankind and service and uplifting and inspiring others. All these tools helped to sharpen and prepare me for my next season in life!
The Vision!
October 30, 2007, Onward and Upward Academy was created with a sole mission: to inspire future leaders, create network paths to opportunities, foster academic excellence, promote social and emotional wellbeing, and build a healthy community through community service and advocacy. With the tools in my tool bag, I was able to create and innovate various programs and services that would forever help and inspire youth without any limitations!