We were lucky to catch up with Lucretia Doyle recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Lucretia thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

I started the Patricia Ann Doyle Foundation in July 2016 while traveling on a business trip to Dallas for a former employer. During that trip, God gave me the vision to create a nonprofit in memory of my mother, a formerly incarcerated woman. I wanted to give back to youth with incarcerated woman. I wanted to give back to youth with incarcerated parents and show them that someone who had been in their shoes truly cares.

When I returned home, I moved from vision to execution immediately. I hired a CPA, invested $1200 to complete the required paperwork, opened a bank account, secured a P.O. Box, launched a website and began building a board of directors. We held meetings, brainstormed ideas, and focused on creating programs with real impact.

Our first initiative was $200 book scholarships for students’ graduation high school and pursing college, graduate school, trade school, or barber school. In 2019, we launched or summer camp scholarship program for youth ages 5-16, including funding for YMCA camps and a STEM program at Morehouse College. During the pandemic, we expanded to back to school support, providing brand new sneakers, backpacks and school supplies.

Over the years, our Christmas Blessings program also grew from initially providing toiletries to now gifting toys, books, bikes, gift cards, and educational resources for children from newborns through age 21. What started as a vision has grown into a mission rooted in love, consistency, and community support.

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

For those who maybe we to my work, my purpose is rooted in livid experience. I am child of parental incarceration. Along with my siblings, I was raised by my grandparents, who made sure we stayed connected to our mother during the five years she was incarcerated.

I founded the Patricia Ann Doyle Foundation in July 2016 to be an example and a resource for youth impacted by parental incarceration. We provide scholarships, summer camp support, back to school assistance, and Christmas blessings. What sets my work apart is authenticity. I create programs based on real needs and personal understanding not theory.

I am most proud of building a platform centered on hope, consistency, and impact. Guided by the belief that to whom much is given; much is required. My mission is to uplift, employer and change the narrative for children and families affected by incarceration.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

I initially funded my nonprofit through grassroots fundraising and community-based events. One of our first fundraisers was a benefit concert held at my home church, which generously allowed us to use the space at no cast since I am a member. Through offering collected at these concerts we were able to raise funds up to about $1000 at our highest point which helped launch our early programs. Board members paid their yearly dues in the amount of $100.

In 2019, I expanded our funding efforts by hosting our first wine tasting event supported by sponsorships and individual donations. This experience taught me the value of creativity partnerships and community support in sustaining our mission and grown our impact.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

One moment that shows reliance for me was continuing to serve families during the pandemic with very limited resources. Even when fundraising was uncertain, we still showed up providing back to school supplies and Christmas support because the need didn’t stop That season taught me that resilience is showing up consistently even when conditions aren’t’ ideal.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: padfoundation2016
• Facebook: padfoundation2016 or Patricia Ann Doyle Foundations
• Linkedin: Lucretia T. Doyle, MBA

Image Credits

Picture on the couch in my home
Standing up picture professional photo from former employer Points of Light photo shoot