We were lucky to catch up with Donta Hodge recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Donta, thanks for joining us today. Let’s talk legacy – what sort of legacy do you hope to build?
The legacy I’m building is one that embodies change, a legacy defined by empowerment, resilience, pride, and community upliftment. I’ve always asked myself profound questions: “Is it better to hold the top spot or to be the first? What does it take to lead and influence while staying true to who you are?” These reflections guide me every day.
Life has taught me more than just lessons through experience. It’s the comprehension of the setbacks, the honesty about my decisions, and the ability to view the world as it is—not as I wish it to be—that have allowed me to make necessary corrections and move forward.
Sometimes I sit back and reflect on how far I’ve come, realizing the untapped potential a kid from the hood can achieve. It’s not always fast or easy—it can be slow and lonely—but looking back, I see those struggles shaped my character. I’ve come to understand that no matter where someone starts, the key word is “start,” and we all have one.
In order to leave a lasting legacy, I believe a strong foundation and sense of identity must exist within the leader. I hope to be remembered as someone who always showed up, who may not have known everyone but still stepped in. Even when I slipped, I got back up. In moments of rain or sunshine, joy or fear, I showed my face and pressed forward.
My vision is to pave a way for future generations by dismantling systemic barriers and fostering a pipeline of relentless thinkers and doers. While physical life is finite, I believe that as long as we’re remembered, we ensure that we never die twice. That is the legacy I hope to leave.
Donta, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I started my non-profit company based on the realization of the disconnect between people of color and the outdoors for numerous reasons. As I expanded the number of outdoor activities I engaged in and began doing more, I realized how much I wanted to share those experiences. The more I observed the unfamiliarity with the outdoors among my peers and community back home, the more curious I became. Research was conducted, and my mission began. WULF Outdoors was created to serve and assist children and families by addressing the disparity gap, increasing inclusion, and connecting willing or curious minds with the outdoors to create lasting memories and adventures.
The hope is that, through this, underserved individuals can share experiences not only among themselves but also with peers from other ethnic groups or demographics. Additionally, I hope this mission extends far beyond outdoor activities. The goal is for these efforts to have lasting effects—not only fostering open-mindedness in outdoor spaces but also encouraging resilience and growth in life. When unfamiliarity, fear, or uncertainty arises, I hope that we all continue to move forward, no matter the lane we’re in.
I am most proud of the distance I’ve covered over the course of my life. I deeply appreciate the strength, pride, and resilience I’ve been blessed to possess. I often sit in amazement at how much experiences can inspire, even when they come from dark or challenging moments. Truly, my drive has lived within me for as long as I can remember. I’ve had my share of encounters with feelings of prejudice and discrimination, and those moments have taught me the importance of developing leather skin and having to understanding life’s harsh realities, not choosing to stay put and moving on regardless of them.
However, not everyone has the capacity to be as unaffected, and that’s where leaders and supportive communities become essential. A single stick of spaghetti may easily break, but when gathered together, they become weight-bearing. My personal stories are why my immediate reaction to challenges is to create innovative alternative solutions. I believe this mindset fuels my drive to inspire others to have minds of light and hearts of gold. I use this approach in my daily life and will carry it forward as a practicing doctor following the conclusion of my Doctor of Chiropractic program.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
The best lesson I’ve unlearned is that passion alone is enough. For a long time, I believed that if you were passionate about something—whether it’s a service, a product, or even yourself—people would naturally see the value and gravitate toward it. Passion felt like the ultimate driver, and to some extent, it is. But I’ve learned that passion is the easy part. Most of us have something we’re passionate about. What’s harder, and far more critical in business, is what I call “drawing in the flock.”
It’s not enough to burn with enthusiasm or to genuinely believe in what you’re offering. You have to understand people. You have to meet them where they are, see things from their perspective, and communicate how what you’re offering benefits them. This must be done within a suitable time frame, as the average attention span has shifted—especially with the rise of interest media like social media. Even if what you’re providing is objectively great, people know what’s best for themselves, or at least what they perceive to be best. The challenge lies in attracting attention, fostering trust, and building a cohort that sees not just the immediate benefits but also the progress and possibilities you’re offering—and hopefully more beyond that.
I’ve realized that passion lives intrinsically. It’s a fire that doesn’t need rewards or external validation. But when it comes to selling yourself or your vision, passion isn’t enough. You have to pair it with empathy, strategy, and a deep understanding of others. That’s how you turn an idea into a movement, a spark into a wildfire. And that lesson—about connecting and engaging with people—is what I carry with me. Lost time and money within the avenue of business marketing has shaped this approach the most.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
My entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy involve some traditional resources like books, videos, and essays, but they don’t fully capture the essence of my approach. For some, the adage “seeing is believing” holds true, but I believe there’s so much more to it. What about the other senses—touch, speech, hearing, and interaction? These elements contribute to the full spectrum of understanding and learning. It’s not just about absorbing information; it’s about how we connect with the world and the people in it.
People are the key—which is ironic for me to say, given that I am very much an inhibited introvert. Yet, everything I’ve learned and every insight I’ve gained has come through interactions—whether with those I’ve looked up to, those I’ve sought advice from, or those whose expertise I value. The most important lessons I’ve learned haven’t come from just reading or watching but from the people I’ve encountered along the way. From my parents and community as I grew, to my business mentor, Leonard Romano—whose expertise has been pivotal in guiding me through my entrepreneurial journey in the nonprofit space—to public figures like Derrick Hayes and Pinky Cole, whose inspiring journeys I’ve followed for years.
True teachers are rare, but everyone has something to teach if you’re open to learning. Whether through positive or negative interactions, there’s always a lesson to be gained. I believe that choosing the right people to surround yourself with is one of the most important decisions you can make. Tailoring your circle to align with your best interests—and even learning from challenging experiences—is where real growth happens. People are the greatest asset to learning, whether they come as mentors, peers, or even as challenges to overcome.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wulfoutdoors.com/supportthecause
- Instagram: @wulfoutdoorsinc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/WULF-Outdoors/100080698592115/
Image Credits
Shamali Watts