We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Gregory Collins Jr. a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Gregory thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s jump to the end – what do you want to be remembered for?

If I answered this question between 2007-2012 I would have said to be known as one of the best basketball players coming from a D-3 School. Ladder end of college I found out I had a daughter on the way, legacy thoughts immediately shifted to being one of the best fathers walking! I stopped talking to coach about country possibilities and started talking about careers, corporate america, car seats, and cribs.

Conversations about professionalism playing back in my mind. Year prior I let my Athletic Director convince me to cut my locs , he stated that “I’d look more professional for an entry level position just incase basketball didn’t work.” At times I wish I could rewind the time. I learned quick that wasn’t much professional about Corporate America.

My first job out of college I worked as a leasing consultant. Mainly for the discount on rent. The first year was great! Bonuses, property was fully leased, and vacant units didn’t stay vacant but for a week. Everything was going great until the economy took a hit. Rent increased, residents weren’t happy, management was a revolving door and all of a sudden, we had high vacancies.

Guess who was at fault; Correct the leasing consultants. After a few months of nothing changing they decided to make changes. One rainy Monday morning I came into the office, did a large stack of Final Account Statements that my manager at the time asked me to do to help take the load off. 10 minutes after completing them I was called into the office and fired. Followed by a 30 day notice to vacate the unit I was renting.

As I packed my daughter’s crib into the moving truck I knew then I had to create something that no one could ever take away from me or my child. From there legacy thoughts became more intentional. What’s being build will not only positively impact my family but my community.

One thing I came to learn is that it does not matter what you do, good or shortcomings people will have things to say about you. With that being said I try not to focus or think about what people will say but control the narrative by what people will still see when im gone. However, to answer the question I think people will say I was a good friend, active father, loving husband, and a go getter.

Prayerfully 70 summers from now when Im gone I will be remembered for my influential social impact businesses and someone who really cared for his family and community.

Gregory, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Having 15 plus years of youth development, being a Baltimore native I consider myself to be a change agent.

Serving as a mentor through Psychiatric rehabilitation programs, a Case Manager with The Department of Juvenile Services in Baltimore City. An Assistant Site Manager at an afterschool program with the YMCA, Edreco Recreation Youth Basketball Coach, Special Education Teacher, Resources and Opportunities Manager, and now assisting with The Oddball Family Foundation (Non-profit) giving back, helping the youth and the community is my purpose.

In 2012 I received my Bachelors from Stevenson University where I studied Business Management and Human
Services. In that same year I became a father, now husband my family of five motivate me daily!

Over the years through parenting and being in the community I realized how much of a vital role fathers play in society. Not only in the present but I want my work to positively affect the future. Ever since I could remember I heard the quote “Jack of all trades master of none”. It wasn’t until I turned 30 when I came across the quote entirety, “is better than a master of just one”, immediately I sent it to my mom. Reason being, she told me I need to focus on one thing but I feel everything is connected.

2013 Collaborate Cleaning was established, focusing on providing job opportunities to youth who needed legal work. That same year Collaborate 247 clothing merchandise was released to promote unity and togetherness to achieve more.

A week before Father’s Day 2019 a commercial came across the television talking about a sale on girls dresses, labeled it a Father’s Day sale. Not ties, suits, tools, but dresses. For some reason it triggered me because I felt the value of fathers weren’t respected. Having a close network of great father’s the need to highlight them was a priority. As the author of “Black Dads Can” my focus was to highlight that value.

Speaking to young boys and girls who may not be able to experience the powers of a great dad. I believed that seeing real dads in action will open their mind and hearts to receive the mentoring and leadership from positive males in their community. Secondly, speaking to those fathers who may not be in their children’s lives. The goal is to encourage them to become active. Lastly, speaking to those who are active, encouraging us to keep pushing!

Being a father of three I can tell you first hand that it is not easy. Having to face the world as well as being a provider, leader, and rock for your family is challenging but giving up is not an option. With that being said I’m blessed to still have my creative juices flowing.

Every endeavor has been about uplifting others and my family. Pinpointing one project to be most proud of is difficult because they all mean so much to me.

However, there is one project I have been working on since 2020 that will be at the top of the proud list. Finding an investor who believes in my vision has been a bit challenging but worth the continued effort.

Again my focus is on others. This project will drastically decrease gun violence within our communities, promote healthy recreational activity, offer employment opportunities, and increase college enrollment. President and CEO of Associated Black Charities Chrissy Thornton expressed to our cohort that it takes 10 ask to get 1 yes. So until that yes happens the pursuit will continue.

“Jack of all trades, master of none, though oftentimes better than master of one” -William Shakespeare

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

The best advice I can give for managing a team and maintaining high morale is to have full transparency. I played basketball from age 9 to this day. My best teams had coaches who were transparent. Each member had strengths that were used properly and any weaknesses were strengthened with the support of the entire team.
Before getting started we had the main goal at the forefront with checkins to assure everyone was on the same page. Having the ability to adapt is key, in addition to hearing out each member. Morale and respect go hand in hand to me. So if your team feel apart of the mission and heard, the morale will be vibrant.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

This is one area after the world shut down I feel majority of America had to do. One example I can speak to is being a teacher and running a cleaning business during covid.
My school at the time directed us to go back into the classroom, however my children’s school were still fully virtual. In addition, some commercial contracts ended due to staff not being in the building and businesses closing. So what am I to do. I had to leave my teaching job and find a way to provide.

Most of the world was home and realized they needed to do some cleaning. That birthed the Hauling and Junk Removal service. Not giving up on commercial cleaning I found ways to provide needed proactive services for when staff returned to the office. It wasn’t the easiest nor most profitable pivot but with God’s grace my family was still able to stay afloat and I was still able to provide job opportunities for others.

Contact Info:

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• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@Weareobf
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