Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Khristopher Fields. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Khristopher thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you walk us through some of the key steps that allowed you move beyond an idea and actually launch?

Introduction to My Work and the Foundation

Wise Up To Rise Up Foundation,Inc. is dedicated to fostering a generational impact by teaching children that their lives are shaped by the decisions of those before them, and their own choices will impact future generations. We emphasize the importance of reflection, introspection, and retrospection, encouraging deep exploration of their thoughts and decisions.

Our programs aim to create core memories while instilling core values that guide them towards a lifetime of achievement, helping them filter their choices through the lens of long-term impact and reject those that don’t align with their aspirations. This approach prepares them to recognize and capitalize on opportunities, ensuring they are ready to seize them effectively. We believe that, by following the path we advocate, opportunities will become inevitable, and our focus is on equipping them to make the most of these opportunities for a brighter future.

My Vision:

I am dedicated to leveraging community resources and forming impactful partnerships between businesses and non-profits. At the Wise Up to Rise Up Foundation, I focus on making mentorship fun and inspiring. My goal is to create experiences that resonate deeply with participants and teach them important life lessons.

My Approach:

– Community Engagement:

I make learning exciting by incorporating essential life lessons into engaging activities. This approach ensures that mentorship is both enjoyable and meaningful.

– Resource Utilization:

I partner with businesses and tech giants to support and enhance our programs, making the most of every opportunity available.

2. The Foundation’s Journey from Concept to Execution

Initial Concept:

The foundation began with a simple but powerful idea: Inspire the next generation to improve literacy, creativity, and empowerment for underserved youth. My passion for education and community development drove this vision.

Implementation Steps:

– Needs Assessment:

I started by talking to people in the community to understand what was needed most for our young visionaries.

– Networking:

I reached out to schools, families, and local leaders to build support and get valuable input, helping us tailor our programs effectively.

Strategic Partnerships:

– Local Businesses:

I formed partnerships with BJ’s Brewhouse, Chick-fil-A, Raising Cane’s, and Red Robin among others. These collaborations provided essential financial support and helped us raise awareness.

– Corporate Support:

I secured software support from Google, Microsoft, and Canva, which improved our program delivery and operations.

Program Development:

– Presidential Recognition Program: To incentivize committed volunteership and encourage long-term vision, I launched the Presidential Recognition Program. This initiative was designed to provide tangible recognition for dedicated volunteers by tracking their hours and achievements. It was a creative approach to ensuring that volunteer efforts were acknowledged and rewarded, promoting sustained commitment and long-term goals.

– Community Events:

I organized several highly successful events to drive momentum, raise awareness for our vision, and kick off our fundraising efforts:

– BJ’s Brewhouse Willowbrook : Our first event set a vibrant and positive tone with over 60 enthusiastic attendees.

– BJ’s Brewhouse Sugarland : Our second event built on our momentum, attracting an impressive crowd of over 80 attendees, further raising awareness for our vision.

– Topgolf : Our third event, generously sponsored by Topgolf, was an incredible celebration of the foundation with over 60 excited participants, significantly boosting our fundraising efforts.

– Red Robin : We held a fantastic event with more than 27 attendees, fostering a strong sense of community spirit and driving continued momentum for our cause.

These initial efforts brought in over $2,000 in gross sales, from which we took around $500 profit to the bank, marking a strong start to our fundraising campaign.

Recognizing Achievement and Overcoming Challenges:

– Achievement: Our Gold Status recognition from Guidestar, Foundation Center, and Candid highlighted our commitment to transparency and accountability. This was a significant milestone for us.

– Overcoming Challenges:

Maintaining meticulous records and ensuring high standards of integrity in our operations was crucial. Despite the challenges, we succeeded in upholding these standards, which was essential for earning and retaining our Gold Status.

3. Challenges and Adaptations

Adaptation and Refinement:
The journey wasn’t always smooth. I had to continuously adapt our programs based on feedback to keep them relevant and impactful.

4. Recognition and Achievements

Notable Commendations:
Our work received recognition from:

– Rodney Ellis, Commissioner of Harris County Precinct One
– The Mayor of Manvel, Texas
– The Governor of Texas

A wide radius of elected officials have penned their admiration for our foundation’s business model. It is incredibly inspiring to see our vision and strategies to impact the next generation earning recognition and historic honors across multiple counties and cities, all the way up to the Governor’s office! The latest city-wide honor comes from Manvel, Texas, a rapidly growing city known for its vibrant community spirit and dedication to progress.

These acknowledgments confirmed the impact of our efforts and motivated me to keep pushing for excellence.

Sustained Growth:

Today, the Wise Up to Rise Up Foundation continues to thrive. I am committed to creating vibrant spaces for young visionaries and celebrating knowledge, imagination, and excellence.

5. Decision-Making Framework

Decision-Making Matrix:

I use a matrix to guide my decisions. Here’s how each criterion reflects our core values and mission:

– Mission Alignment:

Does this initiative align with our mission to inspire and empower the next generation? Does it support our commitment to making a positive impact on underserved youth?

– Impact Assessment:

Will this initiative create a meaningful impact on the community? Will it help us achieve our goal of fostering personal and academic growth in young visionaries?

– Resource Allocation:

Are we utilizing our resources effectively to support this initiative? Does it reflect our values of transparency and efficient use of resources?

– Feasibility:

Is this initiative realistic within our current capabilities and timeline? Does it align with our value of commitment to delivering high-quality programs?

– Reputation:

Will this initiative enhance our reputation as a trusted and effective organization? Does it align with our value of integrity and our commitment to making a difference?

Decision-Making Guidelines:

I evaluate initiatives based on these standards, score them, and use these scores to make informed decisions.

6. Future Outlook

Looking ahead, I am excited about creating opportunities for every young visionary to explore, learn, and grow through enriching experiences. Our upcoming initiatives aim to spark curiosity and build resilience, helping the next generation see the endless possibilities before them.

Upcoming Initiatives:

– NASA Space Center Houston: We plan to take students to NASA Space Center Houston to experience interactive STEM activities, meet astronauts, and learn about space exploration.

– Children’s Museum of Houston: Our program will offer hands-on learning through interactive exhibits and workshops at the Children’s Museum of Houston.

– Main Event STEM Course: We’ll offer a STEM course at Main Event, combining fun with educational content to make learning about science and technology exciting.

– Topgolf Initiatives: Building on our successful Topgolf events, we’ll use golf to teach students about physics, math, and teamwork.

– K1 Speed Go Karting Initiatives: Our go-kart racing events will blend excitement with lessons in engineering, mechanics, and safe driving.

– Lone Star Flight Museum: At the Lone Star Flight Museum, students will explore aviation history and technology through engaging activities.

These initiatives reflect our commitment to offering diverse and enriching experiences. By exposing the next generation to various fields and environments, I aim to ignite their passions, build their confidence, and prepare them for a bright future. Through mentorship and field trips, I strive to create lasting memories and instill values that will guide them throughout their lives, while fostering a strong, connected community among mentors and staff.

7. Scaling and Expansion

Our journey took a pivotal turn when we received an incredible award from Frost Elementary School in the Houston Independent School District for inspiring, encouraging, and empowering 5th-grade students. This recognition motivated us to double down on our efforts to inspire elementary students, especially those growing up in inner-city neighborhoods throughout Texas. Our programs now connect students with accessible, relatable role models who embody values and achievements these children can aspire to emulate. The goal is to empower students to dream big and achieve their goals despite the challenges they may face, ultimately positively impacting their academic performance and social development.

Our programs are designed to effectively position our children to qualify for and achieve prestigious awards such as the Congressional Youth Awards, the Presidential Education Awards & The Presidential Volunteer Service Awards. By providing robust support and resources, we ensure that our students have the opportunity to excel and be recognized for their hard work and dedication.

The Wise Up to Rise Up Awards:

To further recognize and motivate young achievers, we are establishing the annual Wise Up to Rise Up Awards.

This initiative will celebrate:

– Academic Excellence: For students excelling academically and contributing to the community.

– Artistic & Design Achievement: For creativity and innovation in the arts and design.

– Authorship & Literary Achievement: For young authors and their contributions to literature.

– Young Lifetime Achievement: For outstanding long-term contributions and achievements by young visionaries.

Inaugural Gala:

The Wise Up to Rise Up Awards will be a highlight of our inaugural Wise Up to Rise Up Gala. This gala will serve as a grand celebration and reflection on our past, present, and future. It will be the pinnacle event that captures the essence of all our initiatives and achievements, showcasing our commitment to inspiring the next generation. The gala will be a culmination of our efforts, a hallmark event that reflects on our dedication to fostering excellence and celebrating successes, and a summit for our vision of inspiring the next generation to reach their fullest potential.

Through our dedicated programs, we believe our students will not only reach the requirements for the President’s Award for Educational Achievement but also achieve many other accolades and milestones. We are confident that within the next few years, our unwavering support will help a significant number of students:

1. Elevate their GPA : Improving from below 2.0 to 2.5 or higher.

2. Raise their Letter Grades : Advancing from grades like “D” or “F” to at least “C” or better.

3. Enhance Academic Engagement : Showing consistent participation and commitment in their studies.

4. Secure Teacher Endorsements : Gaining positive recommendations that reflect their improvement and dedication.

5. Demonstrate Resilience and Effort : Exhibiting high levels of effort and perseverance in overcoming challenges.

We are dedicated to helping students set a new standard for academic and personal success.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

As the founder of the Wise Up to Rise Up Foundation, I’m dedicated to improving literacy and empowering communities through innovative approaches. My mission is to inspire the next generation to aspire toward a lifetime of achievement and set new standards for success.

I specialize in helping nonprofits achieve their goals by reverse engineering the successful frameworks I’ve built and executed. My approach involves distilling my proven strategies into actionable plans for others, ensuring their success mirrors the achievements I’ve realized for myself and my clients.

Here’s How I Help:

– Framework Development: I create and implement effective frameworks based on my experience. By analyzing successful models, I develop tailored strategies that nonprofits can adopt to replicate this success in their own context.

– Vision Formation: I assist in developing clear, impactful vision and mission statements that align with organizational goals. My work ensures that your nonprofit has a strong foundation and direction, setting you up for sustained success.

– Impact Metrics & Reports: I provide detailed impact metrics and social impact reports that reflect your organization’s achievements. These tools are crucial for showcasing success and attracting further support.

– Comprehensive Services: I solve the biggest challenges for small nonprofits by providing expert services that maximize their impact while they rest. From designing detailed impact reports and innovative metric analyses to writing compelling speeches, PR pitches, and press releases, I work through the night to ensure your nonprofit shines during the day. I handle photo editing, event descriptions, social media captions, award research, and applications, positioning your organization for growth and recognition.

– Strategic Positioning: My goal is to give your mission the professional polish it deserves, enabling you to inspire, engage, and lead your community to greater heights.

By applying these tried-and-true methods, I help nonprofits not only navigate their challenges but thrive. With my expertise, your organization can achieve continuous success, inspired by the framework that has driven my own achievements. My commitment is to empower nonprofits to scale effectively and make a lasting impact on their communities.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My mission is to leverage the power of imagination to inspire and transform young lives. By capturing a young visionary’s sense of wonder and channeling it into innovative and meaningful pursuits—whether through technology, the arts, or literature—we can reshape their future. Creativity and curiosity are seeds of possibility, and I am dedicated to using these to foster lasting change and inspire entire generations.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative is knowing that my imagination and efforts can create a lasting impact, even if I don’t see the full fruits of my labor. While I don’t align with the magical themes often associated with Walt Disney’s work, I deeply resonate with his emphasis on imagination and the power of vision. When Disney’s first park was completed, he had already passed away. An executive remarked how they wished Walt could see it, and someone else replied, “He saw it long before we did, because he saw it in his mind.”

This concept of envisioning something before it exists speaks to me. Just like how the Houston Museum of Natural Science or NASA’s Space Center Houston began with someone’s vision, I believe that dreams and creativity have the power to shape our future. Figures like Martin Luther King Jr., who had a vision that extended beyond his lifetime, show how a dream can have a lasting influence. My goal is to create a meaningful impact on future generations, understanding that my work, though I may not live to see its full effect, is part of a larger, enduring legacy. I am committed to pushing forward with a vision that will inspire and benefit generations long after I’m gone, knowing that my creative pursuits are part of a hundred-year plan aimed at making a profound difference.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Wiseuptoriseup.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khrisfields
• Other: Khristopherfields.com

  https://linktr.ee/wiseuptoriseup

Image Credits

– Khristopher Fields
– Wise Up to Rise Up Foundation
– Pulse of Perseverance Project
– Office of the Governor of Texas
– Harris County Precinct 1 Commissioner, Rodney Ellis
– City of Manvel,Texas Mayor’s Office