We were lucky to catch up with Darnell Liburd recently and have shared our conversation below.

Darnell, appreciate you joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

The idea for Darnell Cares came to me in one of the most ordinary moments—while I was in the shower. I had tons of clothes that no longer fit, and as I thought about getting rid of them, I kept circling back to a feeling I couldn’t shake. I didn’t want to donate them to the local Salvation Army near my home because that location operated a resale store for gently used clothing. Something about the idea of my barely worn pieces ending up on a rack rather than directly supporting someone who truly needed them just didn’t sit right with me.

That moment sparked a realization: What if I could ensure that the clothes I no longer needed went straight onto the backs of people who did? I wasn’t thinking about building a business or starting a nonprofit—I was simply trying to solve a personal dilemma in a way that felt ethical and meaningful. But the more I sat with the idea, the more purposeful it felt.

I decided to take a leap. I turned to my social media following and posted on Twitter, inviting anyone with a bag of cloth or footwear to donate to reach out to me directly. I offered something different—personal pickup, hands-on involvement, and full transparency. I promised that every item would go straight to a shelter supporting individuals in need. I didn’t see anyone around me doing that. No one was offering a simple, personal, direct-to-recipient approach. That gap felt like an opportunity to make a meaningful difference.

Within days, messages started coming in. People resonated with the idea because it solved a problem they had too—they wanted their clothes to serve a real purpose. I knew it was worthwhile when donation after donation kept pouring in, and people thanked me for giving them an alternative to traditional charities.

From there, I formed a partnership with The Bowery Mission in SoHo, a relationship I’ve now maintained for seven years. Together, we’ve provided clothing and footwear for men, women, and children across New York City. Every pickup, every delivery reinforced that this idea worked because it was built on empathy, simplicity, and direct impact.

What excited me then is the same thing that excites me today: the ability to meet a need in a way that is personal, human, and deeply felt. What started as a small idea in the shower has grown into a mission—with a big, audacious goal to one day help clothe the entire city of New York.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I was born and raised in the Bronx, a place that taught me early on the power of community and the responsibility we have to show up for one another. Growing up, I saw firsthand how a simple act of kindness could change someone’s day—and sometimes their circumstances. Those experiences shaped not only who I am, but how I move through the world. Service, empathy, and community aren’t concepts I picked up along the way—they are the foundation of everything I do.

I’m a proud graduate of Delaware State University, where I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice/Law Studies. My time there was transformative, especially through my involvement with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. Joining Alpha wasn’t just a milestone—it deepened my commitment to leadership, scholarship, and, above all, service. It instilled in me the belief that when you empower others, entire communities rise.

Professionally, I’ve always gravitated toward work that opens doors for people who deserve opportunity but don’t always have access to it. Most recently, I served as the Senior Manager of Development at the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), where I led fundraising and partnership initiatives that support students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). In that role, I built relationships, secured resources, and helped connect young people to the support systems necessary to thrive academically and professionally. Whether it was engaging donors, cultivating major gifts, or stewarding long-term partnerships, the goal was the same: help create pathways that change lives.

Outside of my career, my heart has always been in community work. I’m the Founder of Darnell Cares Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that began as a simple idea in my shower—literally. I had clothes that no longer fit and didn’t feel right donating them to an organization that resold gently used items. I wanted the clothes to go directly to people who truly needed them. That small, personal moment turned into something much bigger. I shared my idea on social media, offering to pick up people’s donated clothes myself and promising they’d go straight to a shelter serving vulnerable New Yorkers. Seven years later, Darnell Cares has grown into a compassionate, community-focused nonprofit, with our signature End of Summer Clothing Drive—hosted in partnership with Clean Rite and The Bowery Mission—now recognized by BronxNet, PIX11, and hundreds of supporters citywide.

I’m also the Co-Founder of Hungry for Change NYC, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to alleviating hunger and creating sustainable social change. Over the past decade, we’ve partnered with organizations such as Unilever, Golden Krust, and FreshDirect to provide nutritious meals and combat food insecurity. One of our most meaningful initiatives is our annual New Year’s Eve Feeding, where we’ve helped provide more than 4,500 meals to less fortunate New Yorkers—a reminder that everyone deserves dignity, especially during the holidays.

Across all of my work—professional, nonprofit, and day-to-day life—what sets me apart is the way I lead with genuine relationship-building. I don’t believe in transactional interactions; I believe in meaningful connections. Whether I’m collaborating with donors, community partners, volunteers, or families in need, my goal is always to uplift others and create impact that lasts.

What I’m most proud of is the consistency of my commitment. For me, this isn’t a brand—it’s a lifestyle. It’s showing up for people, honoring their stories, and providing support that meets real, human needs. I want potential clients, partners, and supporters to know that when they work with me or any of the organizations I lead, they are joining a mission fueled by integrity, compassion, and a genuine desire to serve.

At my core, I’m someone who believes we all have the power—and responsibility—to create change. Through Darnell Cares, Hungry for Change NYC, and my broader work, my mission is simple: to build community, spread hope, and make sure no one feels unseen or unsupported.

That’s who I am, and that’s what my work is all about.

How did you build your audience on social media?

My social media presence didn’t grow from a strategy or a blueprint—it grew from a conversation with a good friend. Years ago, my friend Kendra told me something honest that I needed to hear: “Darnell, you need to separate your personal page from your nonprofit. People need a dedicated space to connect with your mission.” At the time, I didn’t even have a page for my organization, and the thought of starting from scratch felt overwhelming.

But her advice stuck with me.

A little while later, I finally created a nonprofit page—even though it was years after I should have—and I did something simple: I posted all of my old content from throughout the years. Every clothing drive, every food distribution, every moment of impact that had been sitting on my personal page now lived in one place dedicated to the work. That became the foundation.

From there, I built my audience the same way I built my nonprofit—by being genuine, humble, and human. I shared my wins, yes, but I also shared my losses. I didn’t pretend to have it all figured out. I let people in on the real experience of running a nonprofit: the excitement, the stress, the joy, the challenges, and the moments that make it all worth it. And people connected with that honesty. They didn’t just follow the mission—they followed the journey.

If I could offer one piece of advice to anyone just beginning to build their presence, it’s this: post, post, and post some more. Don’t overthink it. Don’t wait for the “perfect” moment, and don’t worry about who engages—or who doesn’t. Visibility comes from consistency, not perfection. Your post may get 10 likes, but it might also reach someone who needs to see it, someone who wants to support, or someone who becomes part of your mission.

You never know how far your reach will go, so show up. Be real. Share your story. Let people see the heart behind your work. That’s how I built my audience—and that’s how you can build yours too.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I would say Authenticity. One of the biggest factors in building my reputation comes from being real. When I launched the social media presence for Darnell Cares, it wasn’t polished corporate content — it was my journey. I shared the ups and downs: the victories, the setbacks, the nights when I wasn’t sure how things would work out. Because I held nothing back, people saw the heart behind the work. That transparency created trust and made my audience feel part of the mission, not just observers.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darnellcares?igsh=MWZxODh3MTlhd29scA==
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darnell-liburd

Image Credits

@cartier.lens on Instagram
@sirshanephoto on Instagram
@imaginedbyaloe on Instagram
@tsmilezphotography on Instagram