Today we’d like to introduce you to Oronde Taliaferro.
Oronde, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I am currently a Scout for the Detroit Pistons, and I founded a Youth Organization based in Miami, CHALLENGE 2 CHANGE… my passion for kids and community stems from my own personal story growing up in Detroit. My father was shot and killed when I was six years old. At eight years old, I wandered into a recreation center and was asked to join a little league football team. That day, those football coaches became new fathers to me!… They gave me encouragement, discipline, a vision of something other than becoming a street thug. Due to their impact on my self-image, I was able to win several Championships as a football and basketball player in High school and in College. Plus I was able to earn a college scholarship that my Mom couldn’t afford at all. Then I went on to become the youngest coach in Michigan history to win a State Championship, before coaching at the collegiate level at Kent State, Arkansas, and Oklahoma.
Without the dedication and guidance from those great men that volunteered to coach the little league football team, my path would have certainly been very different. My passion has been to help create those same very positive and life-changing scenarios for young people that have the blessing to encounter. Our youth foundation, CHALLENGE 2 CHANGE has been so fortunate to conduct and be a part of some special missions in the community such as: School Supply Charity in the Dominican Republic and in Miami, the VOUS Church and Style Saves back to school charity events, volunteer events with His House Foster Care home, community events in Miramar, North bay Village, and Miami, plus dozens of events at Elementary schools… our initiatives are about fighting obesity with FUN and creating programming for At-Risk and underprivileged kids.
We have so much more work to do and we are thrilled about how many organizations have joined us on our mission. I was able to overcome some extreme odds, and my goal is to help other underdogs to do the same.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Growing up in a dangerous environment was, of course, the biggest obstacle. The invitation to take the wrong side of the tracks was always there. My love for football and basketball though, along with my sense of accountability to my family and team helped me keep my distance. My brother was also murdered by gunfire like my father was. Several of my close friends fell prey to the drug game and were eventually killed or imprisoned.
As a young coach in Detroit, my challenge to my team was “Against All Odds’, meaning that we wouldn’t allow the bad around us define our paths. We went on to win the State Championship which was great. More importantly, all of our players graduated and went on to college, in most cases being the first in their family to go to college. Those guys are now strong men and fathers, some even played professional sports as well.
The development of a Championship mindset can be the most important character trait a person will need in order to reach one’s potential
Please tell us about CHALLENGE 2 CHANGE.
The Challenge 2 Change (C2C) is an organization created to empower youth in gaining a positive self-image and a raised level of awareness about their community .C2C uses a variety of unlimited pathways like arts, crafts, mini-sessions, and sports to develop dynamic programs and experiences that will engage and activate the minds and interests of youth within our large diverse and multi-faceted community. We seek to develop a supportive environment with open doors and clear pathways for students to imagine, explore and eventually discover their purpose in life. We envision a world of endless possibilities and believe without a doubt, in changing the world for the better one person at a time by accepting the Challenge 2 Change and using four basic platforms: Educator Professional Development, Empowerment and Enrichment Initiative, Sports Fitness Fun Day, and Summer Youth Camp. By offering young people various platforms with clear and positive pathways to discover and develop their own skills and gifts, we hope to provide opportunities for better, safer, and healthier futures.
Our youth foundation, CHALLENGE 2 CHANGE has been so fortunate to conduct and be a part of some special missions in the community such as: School Supply Charity in the Dominican Republic and in Miami, the VOUS Church and Style Saves back to school charity events, volunteer events with His House Foster Care home, community events in Miramar, North bay Village, and Miami, plus dozens of events at Elementary schools… Our initiatives are about fighting obesity with FUN and creating programming for At-Risk and underprivileged kids.
Contact Info:
- Address: CHALLENGE 2 CHANGE
18003 NW 87th Place
Hialeah, FL 33018 - Website: challenge2change.org
- Phone: 248-930-3863
- Email: oronde@challenge2change.org
- Instagram: c2corg
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