In 2003, I developed a passion for helping young males of color while employed as a youth specialist at a detention center located in Detroit. I was able spread love, hope and inspiration to hundreds of youth passing in and out of the system with my life story of redemption. I was also fatherless, homeless, a former high school dropout and sold drugs but managed to beat the odds. Witnessing the despair in the eyes of those at-risk males ignited a fire inside me. I set out to start my own organization that would help black males of color. During my initial planning & research stage, I discovered some alerting statistics directly linking the negative behavior patterns and social-ills of the youths to fatherlessness. This eye opening discovery explained why my life had took a turn for the worst as a teen. I unknowingly followed nearly all of the exacted same negative patterns that the studies had mentioned. I immediately re- adjusted my plans and began focusing on educating & empowering at-risk teen fathers and bringing awareness to my community regarding the ill-effects of absentee fathers. This pursuit became my passion and that passion unlocked my purpose! I went on to establish Young Fathers Standing United (YFSU) in 2010. Since 2010 YFSU has serviced of over 2000 Detroit fathers and their families by way of educational workshop, presentation, mentoring and community outreach events. YFSU has received numerous awards and recognition both locally and nationally.