Today we’d like to introduce you to Ian Thomas-Minor.
Ian, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
As a former youth coach, I’ve always been driven to make a positive impact. From Martha’s Vineyard to Molloy University, I’ve used coaching as a guiding force to empower young men and woman. But after facing systemic racism and winning a championship, I realized that basketball wasn’t the best way to make the impact I wanted. So I pivoted to focus on the non-profit I co-founded with my God-brother James Jennings. Now, I have the opportunity to make a sustainable, scalable impact on a larger scale. It’s been an incredible journey and I’m excited to see where it takes me next!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Anything worth having or creating is not easy, but the reward is in the work you have been given. This is especially true for non-profits who are not directly connected to key resources. Even when you do obtain some of those resources, you are always at risk of getting those funds cut when the strategic partner decides that your mission no longer aligns with their bottom line. When this happens, you have to pivot and figure out how to make good on the commitment you made and see it through to the end. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it. Our bottom line is to get the job done, even if that means allowing brands to use us for optics when it suits them. We gracefully face the challenges that come with our mission and never upend any relationships because we remain committed to our work.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
What I do is change lives. Leadership is about submission to duty not elevation of power and the road to success is always under construction, so my job is to continually create and curate opportunities for youth in ways that were not available for me and others like me growing up. My job is to lead by example while empowering those behind me to be prepared when they are passed the baton. It won’t be us who cross the finish line but it is my responsibility to do my part in preparing them for the marathon as Nipsey would say. We create youth activations and curriculum that are customized for the demographics we serve and it is my job to seek out people who are as passionate about empowering youth as I am. My job is to create a scalable sustainable impact built on a foundation strong enough to provide stability for the next generation. My daughters will know what it takes to love yourself while always thinking about how to impact the words around them. Just as all my adopted sons, daughters and little brother and sisters I’ve connected with along the way. I’m proud I’ve not let systemic racism shrink me or confine me to ideologies and falsehoods that are in direct opposition of my god given gifts and mission. I’m proud that I’ve learned how to fail and how to succeed. I’m proud that my peers think I am honorable because that was not always the case. I am proud my wife takes honor in calling me her husband and that I am continuing my Mothers legacy everyday. I wake up and get to it like only I can. At Connective we say Salute The Doers and that is something I have always been a doer but know I am only doing the things that will bear positive fruits for all those directly connected to the movement!single
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
In the non-profit space, adaptability is key. With the focus shifting from equity and diversity to career pathways and job readiness programs, it’s crucial to stay on top of the latest trends. At our organization, we’re committed to building a community of functional adults through our Culture Clinics and experiential learning opportunities. While the system may change, our mission remains the same: to empower individuals with the tools they need to succeed. Though there may be obstacles ahead, we embrace the challenge and are ready to pivot as needed. Join us in saying yes to the work, yes to the grind, and yes to continued change.
Pricing:
- A thousand supporters donating one hundred dollars a year will allow us to provide year round programming for our youth!
- Donate Here – https://www.connectiveinc.org/donate
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.connectiveinc.org/donate
- Instagram: @Connectiveinc
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/49143489/admin/feed/posts/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@connectiveinc.non-profit6506
Image Credits
Joseph Dominkowitz Andre Vanterpool