December 8, 2025 • 22 mins
The latest episode of the Building Black Biz podcast features Maxwell in conversation with CEO of I Will Graduate, a youth development program dedicated to serving and empowering students, families, and the community by communicating the importance of finishing their education.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
We got the conversation already flowing, how about we just
kind of go right into it. Tell everybody who's tapped
in and who has been hearing us chuckle in laugh.
My name is Maxwell and I am joined today by
Tonya Lewis Taylor and I will Graduate. I guess we
should really kind of get going on with our building
Black Bizz podcast and let the folks know from the
(00:22):
jump how grateful we are that you're here to help
spread the message. So thank you so much, and happy
holidays as we're recording this just before the holiday season.
Speaker 2 (00:31):
Thank you for having us, and yeah we are excited
about you know what's next?
Speaker 3 (00:38):
Heck, yeah, thank you so much.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
And you started and we'll go and we'll roll with
the word we because you have said that several times
in us just chatting here. We How special is it
that it's you and your team that are a part
of I Will Graduate.
Speaker 3 (00:52):
What does that team? What does that word we mean
to you?
Speaker 4 (00:56):
Yeah? We really is the way you get things done.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
No, man is an You know, you need really good
people around you in order to fulfill the vision that
is on this organization and on my life. And so
I'm very fortunate when I also refer to the work.
We have referred to my family as well. My husband
(01:21):
and I started this organization coming up on twenty years ago. Uh,
and my children have grown up and I've been part
of the organization, have worked in the organization, have benefited
from the organization, and so we it encapsulates a village. Yeah,
(01:43):
my family, friends, volunteers, it encapsulates all of that.
Speaker 1 (01:47):
Well, let's talk about that beautiful logo just behind you
there and I will graduate.
Speaker 3 (01:53):
What does it mean?
Speaker 1 (01:54):
What for anyone just tapping into the conversation and learning
about the organization, what exactly is I will graduate?
Speaker 2 (02:01):
So I will graduate as a youth development organization dedicated
to empowering young people, families, communities to really maximize their
opportunities and to live their best lives. We do that
through education, We do it through community programs. We do
(02:25):
it through arts and education, sports programs, STEM collegen career
readiness mentoring programs, and so we.
Speaker 4 (02:35):
Run the gamut of empowerment.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
How do we help someone develop their gifts and their
talents and use those in a way that cannot just
benefit themselves but inspire their community and build strong communities.
So that really is what I will graduate is.
Speaker 3 (02:58):
You know, you know what I'm hearing.
Speaker 1 (02:59):
I'm hearing well rounded young men and women. I'm hearing
it's not just a linear focus. It's making sure that
all of the things that make us stronger for our
we your collective community. It's like you said, it's everything
from STEM and athletics and music and all the different programs.
How important was it for it not to be such
(03:19):
a linear focus and to make sure that you know,
it's a lot of tools in the toolbox that we're
preparing our young people to have.
Speaker 2 (03:28):
Yeah, it was very important that we were not just
focused on one particular you know, education. It was about
helping young people see themselves as powerful and strong and
understanding that they can accomplish their goals and their dreams.
It is about helping young people be the best version
(03:50):
of themselves. And how do I take that and build
my community and build a strong community. We understand that
many of the young people that we service come from
you know, what I would call not impoverished backgrounds, but
definitely communities that are under resource.
Speaker 4 (04:10):
Yeah, and so we.
Speaker 2 (04:13):
Understand that it's important that we build our communities.
Speaker 4 (04:18):
These are the communities we grew up in we live
in and.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
You know, definitely you get help from the city and
the state and the government, but it's more important when
you are in that community that you say, I'm going
to bring something positive to this community and I'm going
to uplift my community. And that's how you see strong
communities grow.
Speaker 1 (04:41):
And it's it's a lot of work and a lot
of effort that the that the community is putting into
I will graduate. How about we we talk about what
a typical day is like for you, Like how does
it start when you're waking up to make sure that
you're taking care of others because these days seem long.
Speaker 2 (04:57):
A girl, well, you know, I wake up probably around
the six o'clock hour, and I am a woman of faith,
so of course I go into my prayer, my meditation
and my gratitude moments. I cover myself, I cover my
(05:17):
family in prayer, I cover my friends, my enemies.
Speaker 4 (05:22):
I have everybody. Enemies make you stronger, so you got
to cover them too.
Speaker 2 (05:28):
And then I do a workout routine. I can't say
that I'm you know, all that, but I do try
to do my stretching and my calisthetics and just try
to be healthy. I then go down, I do my breakfast,
(05:50):
and I come into the office and my first goal
is to really focus on what I would like to.
Speaker 4 (05:57):
See happen that day and connect with my team.
Speaker 2 (06:02):
Make sure we have team meetings every Monday, but in
the morning sometimes I'll connect with different team members about
certain things that we're working on for that week or
projects that we're working on. And that's basically a typical day.
Speaker 4 (06:21):
There are days where I am.
Speaker 2 (06:24):
Overwhelmed, like a couple of weeks ago, we were trying
to find live brands, and when you're working on grants,
it can be stressful. And then there are days where
you know, the day just goes by so easily and
you leave and you go home and it's just been
a wonderful day. But overall, I'm just grateful for the
(06:48):
opportunity to be able to do what I love and
to do this kind of work that helps people, not
just people, but myself stay rooted, grounded and continuously growing well.
Speaker 1 (07:00):
And as you as you were, you know, running us
through your day and hearing just how much passion is
I mean, this is this is something you said it,
this is what you love, this is what you were,
you were meant to do? How how beautiful is it
to find that you're you're doing what you were meant
to do and that this was a passion of yours
and now you're seeing it to fruition because you mentioned
(07:21):
it just a bit ago. Coming upon twenty years. You
don't do something that you that you have to do
for twenty years. You do something that you love to
do for twenty years. So what are yeah, what are
some of those I guess we try to down some
things here, those similarities and those differences, some of those
things that you've learned over twenty years of I will graduate.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
Oh wow, what if I learned over twenty years so much?
I mean we choose a topic finance, writing, patience. I mean,
there's so many directions I can go in with that question,
very loaded, But I will say one of the things
that I have learned is to be authentic and to
(08:06):
really to really own in on what the message you're receiving.
For me, as a woman of faith, I have to
own in on what is being downloaded for me to do.
Because we have a tendency as people to always look
(08:28):
at what someone else's organization is doing, what someone.
Speaker 1 (08:31):
Else and trying to compare and you don't know the
struggles and the things that they've gone through, and yeah,
that it happens.
Speaker 2 (08:39):
Absolutely, and it's important that we are authentic and we
focus on the plan and the purpose for us.
Speaker 4 (08:51):
That is so key.
Speaker 2 (08:53):
And if I could, I mean outside of learning what
you have to learn running an organization and a business,
I mean everyone goes through those growing pains, you know.
Speaker 4 (09:03):
Yeah, but I think.
Speaker 2 (09:04):
Being true to your mission, being true to your purpose,
being true to the way you see your business, well
you see your organization, and then allowing that to speak,
that is the true power. I believe, I really believe
(09:24):
that is the true power and the superpower of each
of us.
Speaker 1 (09:28):
And to hear you say that you are, Yeah, you're
being so authentic to who you are, and that's what
you're That's what you're teaching the young people is to
be authentic to who they are, to be better for
just the same way that you are, you know, making
that the mission statement for I will graduate. That's what
that's what the kids are receiving from you, to know, like,
I'm just trying to be the best version of me,
(09:52):
to be better for my community. To then share that
to someone else so they could be the best because
we each need to be as I mentioned the analogy
a little bit ago, we each need to be our
you know, our tool in the toolbox that collectively, you know,
a plumber don't just show up with one wrench here.
So it's like all this it to hear you say that,
(10:12):
all this, it makes so much, so much sense, and
it's and it's beautiful when it's verbalized, because so many
times we just kind of see stuff happen and don't
realize that the that the true intent has always been there.
Speaker 3 (10:26):
Wow, I want to deviate a little time.
Speaker 2 (10:28):
And also it's also the uniqueness of who you are.
Speaker 4 (10:33):
Yeah, so Maxwell, your.
Speaker 2 (10:35):
Uniqueness that that comes with a purpose and a plan
for your life.
Speaker 4 (10:42):
Yeah, And when we.
Speaker 2 (10:43):
Try to duld that uniqueness or try to fit into
a mode that we're not designed to fit in, that's
when we lose.
Speaker 3 (10:51):
Or try to be like another organization.
Speaker 2 (10:53):
Or try to be like another organization or another person,
or just to try to compare, that's when we actually lose.
Speaker 4 (11:00):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (11:01):
Yeah, I was I was going to say, you know,
how how proud are you that you were able to
stay and stick so headfast to that mission statement and
to be able to for yeah, almost two decades, you know,
let's just go ahead for two decades with I would graduate.
How how amazing must that feel for you and your
team to know that you all have been able to
(11:22):
be so focused on that mission statement.
Speaker 2 (11:25):
I tell you it is as I'm grateful. Yes, I'm grateful,
and I'll tell you why. Because we've had challenges like everyone, and.
Speaker 4 (11:37):
We have mission drifted, okay.
Speaker 2 (11:41):
And whenever we mission drift, that's when you get out
of your core, right, you become uncentered and then things
unravel around you and you're trying to figure out why
is everything so chaotic because you're out of your core.
You're out of your center or what you're supposed to do.
(12:01):
And so for me, it's been a blessing to always
be redirected back to the mission and how God is
going to use me for a purpose bigger than what
I could even see.
Speaker 4 (12:17):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (12:17):
Yeah, And and support from from those around you. I mean,
we've been using the word we a lot. One of
the highlights is I was doing some researches. We got
a we got a little sprinkling from cash covein three
thousand dollars just to you know, to make sure that
you know, the organization was was running and flown as.
Speaker 3 (12:37):
As it best could.
Speaker 1 (12:38):
What was it like for for for that blessing to
be to be bestowed upon the I Will Graduate Family.
Speaker 2 (12:47):
So you know, from somebody like Cash Combine, we've received
donations and we're very grateful for all of the funding.
We have not typically done a lot of fundraisers because
we write a lot of grants and we get a
lot of programmatic funding to do the work, but we
(13:11):
understand that for the vision that we have for this
organization that we definitely need to bring.
Speaker 4 (13:17):
In private funding.
Speaker 2 (13:18):
So to see someone like cash Combine, this young man
who is on the scenes, he's amazing two for him
to just donate three thousand dollars to us, it really
speaks to his heart his generosity. Because there are some
communities sometimes we don't always donate to causes as people
(13:41):
of color, because we're always suspicious.
Speaker 4 (13:46):
And for other reasons.
Speaker 2 (13:47):
I think it's cultural at times, it could be a
little cultural.
Speaker 4 (13:51):
But just to see this young.
Speaker 2 (13:53):
Man who has been part of the I Would Graduate
Family and he has benefited from the work that we do,
it really was special, a special moment like the other
artists that have donated, people like Jim Jones.
Speaker 4 (14:07):
Yeah, Like people would not.
Speaker 2 (14:08):
Even imagine that Jim Jones, you know, has been one
of our largest supporters for twenty years.
Speaker 3 (14:16):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (14:16):
And what is really special about that too, is that
the young people see other folks like us, you know,
giving and being a part and being strong members of
this community in a situation as you mentioned, you know,
it could be so many other things that that at times,
you know, keep us separated. But you know, it's just
(14:38):
when you see that that togetherness. And I know it
does sound cliche, but I mean it's listen to teamwork
makes a dream work. It's you know, when you see
somebody like you who is a part of the growth,
you can then look to, you know, your fellow brothers
just say like, oh, you know what I'm saying, Look
at I'm gonna listen to the music a little different
because i know that I'm even that much more connected
(15:00):
to what's happening. And that's a precious thing. That's something
that trickles throughout the whole community.
Speaker 4 (15:06):
Absolutely. Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (15:09):
Now you're doing a lot of helping for others and
the team is there, But what is it that you
and you mentioned some of the things that you know
when you wake up early in the morning. Because I
ain't even gonna lie to you. I don't get up
that early. I try to sleep in and I stay tucked,
especially during these cold winter weather months. But what are
some of the other things that you love to do
and what are those things that make you smile that
(15:29):
you get to do in your spare time.
Speaker 3 (15:31):
When there is any or if there is any.
Speaker 4 (15:36):
Well, I'm a singer songwriter.
Speaker 3 (15:39):
Okay, I don't know, I did not. I love that amazing.
Speaker 2 (15:44):
Yes, yes, I've been working in the music industry since
I was a teenager.
Speaker 4 (15:52):
And how this organization came to be.
Speaker 2 (15:56):
I don't know how much you know of my background,
but I worked in the industry singing of course, touring.
I've done a lot of back round work for people
like Mariah Carey.
Speaker 4 (16:07):
And Mary J.
Speaker 2 (16:08):
Blige and Gerald Leaver and different people who I was
able to get what we call background gigs, and during
those years, it's amazing. And I've always been a singer songwriter.
And so I have two albums, three albums that I've recorded.
(16:32):
I've gone top twenty on Billboard twice.
Speaker 3 (16:36):
See, you know, I'm not evenna lie to you.
Speaker 1 (16:38):
There are some of these things that I knew, but
I wanted you to say so you can make sure
that the world.
Speaker 4 (16:44):
I feel goofy when I talk about it at all.
And so you know.
Speaker 2 (16:50):
I love the arts, you know, and I'm a goofy,
goofy girl. You know, whenever I can, I would love to,
you know, get on broad Way.
Speaker 4 (17:01):
And you know I love touring.
Speaker 2 (17:03):
I've toured with Donnie for Kirklin and Fred Hammond on
the Festival Praise tour and I left the business like
when they called me for the tour, it was just like,
I don't know how I'm gonna be able to do this.
Speaker 4 (17:16):
Tour because I do the music in my spare time.
Speaker 2 (17:19):
And I put it out and you know, it just
catches fire sometimes and then people want you to be
on tour. And you know, I love the music industry,
but it has not provided me a lifestyle.
Speaker 4 (17:35):
It's a tough industry.
Speaker 2 (17:37):
So I kind of do that as a side gig.
But if I could, I would do it like I
would just be.
Speaker 1 (17:46):
It's and who knows, and that's the thing is and
who knows? And when where I wanted to go with
that question is is following your passion, following the things
that really yeah, follow those things that really you know,
fuel your heart, that lead to the other ava news
of where you're directing that energy and and you're giving
to others. And and that's where this, this is where
(18:08):
I will graduate stems from. It stems from the passion
that you have to to serve. And that's something that's
super that's super beautiful. So yeah, to be doing this for,
like I said before, two decades and to be able
to share this and bestow this energy upon the young
folks uh that are here uh in the city, it's
it's something that that's beautiful. Let's stay on the topic
(18:30):
before we wrap things up. Of music, say, how is
to give you your very own iHeart radio station and
you were to put together a playlist, were give me
your top five favorite artists or songs that you would
make sure that we heard, and one of those better
be one of your songs, just just saying.
Speaker 2 (18:50):
Listen, we're gonna start with two of my songs. I'm
more than a Conqueror. Yes, as we said, I'm a winner,
I'm a winner. And and then definitely Kirk Franklin, I
mean I can just go back to any album and
pull songs.
Speaker 4 (19:09):
Kirk Franklin, you know.
Speaker 2 (19:14):
Unfortunately most of my top songs would be gospel.
Speaker 3 (19:18):
It's not unfortunate at all.
Speaker 2 (19:20):
No, yeah, well because I heart well, not unfortunately, but
Ricky Dillar okay, the choir master, and then I would
have to go to my upbringing the soul music, okay.
Speaker 4 (19:36):
Verry White, oh yeah, the earth wind.
Speaker 1 (19:39):
Then fire okay, okay, the first said Gerald the verse
you said that, Yeah, the B, B and CC is
somewhere in there too, absolutely absolutely, And.
Speaker 3 (19:51):
I'm not even gonna lie.
Speaker 1 (19:52):
There better be some Jim Jones or some Cash Koba
somewhere sprinkled in there as well.
Speaker 4 (19:58):
Okay.
Speaker 3 (20:00):
While that, I love you for that. Okay, I love
you for that. As we put a bow on the conversation,
I will graduate.
Speaker 1 (20:10):
What does it mean to you to see this continue
to grow and blossom and another twenty years I hope
we can have this conversation celebrating forty What does this
mean to you?
Speaker 3 (20:20):
This organization?
Speaker 2 (20:22):
It means life, yes, it means blessings. It means thanksgiving,
It means gratitude. It means that God saw me and
he gave me something precious to develop and to bring
into the earth. And when when I think about the
(20:49):
assignment of I will graduate, I know that I was
chosen for this, and so it means that God had
a plan a purpose for my life that I must accomplish.
Speaker 1 (21:05):
Well, I thank you so much for taking the time
today too to just be the be the voice, to
be the team leader behind it all. And to everybody
who makes every young person who gets to be a
part of I would graduate something special. Just thank you
for finding your path and choosing to walk down because
that's sometimes difficult for folks to do.
Speaker 3 (21:26):
So I really truly appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (21:28):
Into the entire team, and to anyone who's listening and
watching the Building Black Biz podcasts, I thank you, miss Tonia,
yeah for being you.
Speaker 4 (21:41):
Well. Thank you so much. Maxwell.
Speaker 2 (21:43):
And if I may say and speak into your life
that eyes have not seen and ears have not heard
all the great things that you're going to do.
Speaker 3 (21:52):
I'm trying.
Speaker 1 (21:54):
I'm trying so much well they continually, I'm continuously blessed.
Happy New Year, Happy holiday is all nine and all that.
And it ain't gonna be the last time that we
hang out our promise.
Speaker 2 (22:04):
Absolutely, we want to definitely invite you to your part
of that I would graduate family.
Speaker 3 (22:08):
Now you're the best you take care and happy holidays
to you. Thank you so much, Maxwell, Bite Down Blessings,
We got the conversation already flowing, how about we just
kind of go right into it. Tell everybody who's tapped
in and who has been hearing us chuckle in laugh.
My name is Maxwell and I am joined today by
Tonya Lewis Taylor and I will Graduate. I guess we
should really kind of get going on with our building
Black Bizz podcast and let the folks know from the
(00:22):
jump how grateful we are that you're here to help
spread the message. So thank you so much, and happy
holidays as we're recording this just before the holiday season.
Speaker 2 (00:31):
Thank you for having us, and yeah we are excited
about you know what's next?
Speaker 3 (00:38):
Heck, yeah, thank you so much.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
And you started and we'll go and we'll roll with
the word we because you have said that several times
in us just chatting here. We How special is it
that it's you and your team that are a part
of I Will Graduate.
Speaker 3 (00:52):
What does that team? What does that word we mean
to you?
Speaker 4 (00:56):
Yeah? We really is the way you get things done.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
No, man is an You know, you need really good
people around you in order to fulfill the vision that
is on this organization and on my life. And so
I'm very fortunate when I also refer to the work.
We have referred to my family as well. My husband
(01:21):
and I started this organization coming up on twenty years ago. Uh,
and my children have grown up and I've been part
of the organization, have worked in the organization, have benefited
from the organization, and so we it encapsulates a village. Yeah,
(01:43):
my family, friends, volunteers, it encapsulates all of that.
Speaker 1 (01:47):
Well, let's talk about that beautiful logo just behind you
there and I will graduate.
Speaker 3 (01:53):
What does it mean?
Speaker 1 (01:54):
What for anyone just tapping into the conversation and learning
about the organization, what exactly is I will graduate?
Speaker 2 (02:01):
So I will graduate as a youth development organization dedicated
to empowering young people, families, communities to really maximize their
opportunities and to live their best lives. We do that
through education, We do it through community programs. We do
(02:25):
it through arts and education, sports programs, STEM collegen career
readiness mentoring programs, and so we.
Speaker 4 (02:35):
Run the gamut of empowerment.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
How do we help someone develop their gifts and their
talents and use those in a way that cannot just
benefit themselves but inspire their community and build strong communities.
So that really is what I will graduate is.
Speaker 3 (02:58):
You know, you know what I'm hearing.
Speaker 1 (02:59):
I'm hearing well rounded young men and women. I'm hearing
it's not just a linear focus. It's making sure that
all of the things that make us stronger for our
we your collective community. It's like you said, it's everything
from STEM and athletics and music and all the different programs.
How important was it for it not to be such
(03:19):
a linear focus and to make sure that you know,
it's a lot of tools in the toolbox that we're
preparing our young people to have.
Speaker 2 (03:28):
Yeah, it was very important that we were not just
focused on one particular you know, education. It was about
helping young people see themselves as powerful and strong and
understanding that they can accomplish their goals and their dreams.
It is about helping young people be the best version
(03:50):
of themselves. And how do I take that and build
my community and build a strong community. We understand that
many of the young people that we service come from
you know, what I would call not impoverished backgrounds, but
definitely communities that are under resource.
Speaker 4 (04:10):
Yeah, and so we.
Speaker 2 (04:13):
Understand that it's important that we build our communities.
Speaker 4 (04:18):
These are the communities we grew up in we live
in and.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
You know, definitely you get help from the city and
the state and the government, but it's more important when
you are in that community that you say, I'm going
to bring something positive to this community and I'm going
to uplift my community. And that's how you see strong
communities grow.
Speaker 1 (04:41):
And it's it's a lot of work and a lot
of effort that the that the community is putting into
I will graduate. How about we we talk about what
a typical day is like for you, Like how does
it start when you're waking up to make sure that
you're taking care of others because these days seem long.
Speaker 2 (04:57):
A girl, well, you know, I wake up probably around
the six o'clock hour, and I am a woman of faith,
so of course I go into my prayer, my meditation
and my gratitude moments. I cover myself, I cover my
(05:17):
family in prayer, I cover my friends, my enemies.
Speaker 4 (05:22):
I have everybody. Enemies make you stronger, so you got
to cover them too.
Speaker 2 (05:28):
And then I do a workout routine. I can't say
that I'm you know, all that, but I do try
to do my stretching and my calisthetics and just try
to be healthy. I then go down, I do my breakfast,
(05:50):
and I come into the office and my first goal
is to really focus on what I would like to.
Speaker 4 (05:57):
See happen that day and connect with my team.
Speaker 2 (06:02):
Make sure we have team meetings every Monday, but in
the morning sometimes I'll connect with different team members about
certain things that we're working on for that week or
projects that we're working on. And that's basically a typical day.
Speaker 4 (06:21):
There are days where I am.
Speaker 2 (06:24):
Overwhelmed, like a couple of weeks ago, we were trying
to find live brands, and when you're working on grants,
it can be stressful. And then there are days where
you know, the day just goes by so easily and
you leave and you go home and it's just been
a wonderful day. But overall, I'm just grateful for the
(06:48):
opportunity to be able to do what I love and
to do this kind of work that helps people, not
just people, but myself stay rooted, grounded and continuously growing well.
Speaker 1 (07:00):
And as you as you were, you know, running us
through your day and hearing just how much passion is
I mean, this is this is something you said it,
this is what you love, this is what you were,
you were meant to do? How how beautiful is it
to find that you're you're doing what you were meant
to do and that this was a passion of yours
and now you're seeing it to fruition because you mentioned
(07:21):
it just a bit ago. Coming upon twenty years. You
don't do something that you that you have to do
for twenty years. You do something that you love to
do for twenty years. So what are yeah, what are
some of those I guess we try to down some
things here, those similarities and those differences, some of those
things that you've learned over twenty years of I will graduate.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
Oh wow, what if I learned over twenty years so much?
I mean we choose a topic finance, writing, patience. I mean,
there's so many directions I can go in with that question,
very loaded, But I will say one of the things
that I have learned is to be authentic and to
(08:06):
really to really own in on what the message you're receiving.
For me, as a woman of faith, I have to
own in on what is being downloaded for me to do.
Because we have a tendency as people to always look
(08:28):
at what someone else's organization is doing, what someone.
Speaker 1 (08:31):
Else and trying to compare and you don't know the
struggles and the things that they've gone through, and yeah,
that it happens.
Speaker 2 (08:39):
Absolutely, and it's important that we are authentic and we
focus on the plan and the purpose for us.
Speaker 4 (08:51):
That is so key.
Speaker 2 (08:53):
And if I could, I mean outside of learning what
you have to learn running an organization and a business,
I mean everyone goes through those growing pains, you know.
Speaker 4 (09:03):
Yeah, but I think.
Speaker 2 (09:04):
Being true to your mission, being true to your purpose,
being true to the way you see your business, well
you see your organization, and then allowing that to speak,
that is the true power. I believe, I really believe
(09:24):
that is the true power and the superpower of each
of us.
Speaker 1 (09:28):
And to hear you say that you are, Yeah, you're
being so authentic to who you are, and that's what
you're That's what you're teaching the young people is to
be authentic to who they are, to be better for
just the same way that you are, you know, making
that the mission statement for I will graduate. That's what
that's what the kids are receiving from you, to know, like,
I'm just trying to be the best version of me,
(09:52):
to be better for my community. To then share that
to someone else so they could be the best because
we each need to be as I mentioned the analogy
a little bit ago, we each need to be our
you know, our tool in the toolbox that collectively, you know,
a plumber don't just show up with one wrench here.
So it's like all this it to hear you say that,
(10:12):
all this, it makes so much, so much sense, and
it's and it's beautiful when it's verbalized, because so many
times we just kind of see stuff happen and don't
realize that the that the true intent has always been there.
Speaker 3 (10:26):
Wow, I want to deviate a little time.
Speaker 2 (10:28):
And also it's also the uniqueness of who you are.
Speaker 4 (10:33):
Yeah, so Maxwell, your.
Speaker 2 (10:35):
Uniqueness that that comes with a purpose and a plan
for your life.
Speaker 4 (10:42):
Yeah, And when we.
Speaker 2 (10:43):
Try to duld that uniqueness or try to fit into
a mode that we're not designed to fit in, that's
when we lose.
Speaker 3 (10:51):
Or try to be like another organization.
Speaker 2 (10:53):
Or try to be like another organization or another person,
or just to try to compare, that's when we actually lose.
Speaker 4 (11:00):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (11:01):
Yeah, I was I was going to say, you know,
how how proud are you that you were able to
stay and stick so headfast to that mission statement and
to be able to for yeah, almost two decades, you know,
let's just go ahead for two decades with I would graduate.
How how amazing must that feel for you and your
team to know that you all have been able to
(11:22):
be so focused on that mission statement.
Speaker 2 (11:25):
I tell you it is as I'm grateful. Yes, I'm grateful,
and I'll tell you why. Because we've had challenges like everyone, and.
Speaker 4 (11:37):
We have mission drifted, okay.
Speaker 2 (11:41):
And whenever we mission drift, that's when you get out
of your core, right, you become uncentered and then things
unravel around you and you're trying to figure out why
is everything so chaotic because you're out of your core.
You're out of your center or what you're supposed to do.
(12:01):
And so for me, it's been a blessing to always
be redirected back to the mission and how God is
going to use me for a purpose bigger than what
I could even see.
Speaker 4 (12:17):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (12:17):
Yeah, And and support from from those around you. I mean,
we've been using the word we a lot. One of
the highlights is I was doing some researches. We got
a we got a little sprinkling from cash covein three
thousand dollars just to you know, to make sure that
you know, the organization was was running and flown as.
Speaker 3 (12:37):
As it best could.
Speaker 1 (12:38):
What was it like for for for that blessing to
be to be bestowed upon the I Will Graduate Family.
Speaker 2 (12:47):
So you know, from somebody like Cash Combine, we've received
donations and we're very grateful for all of the funding.
We have not typically done a lot of fundraisers because
we write a lot of grants and we get a
lot of programmatic funding to do the work, but we
(13:11):
understand that for the vision that we have for this
organization that we definitely need to bring.
Speaker 4 (13:17):
In private funding.
Speaker 2 (13:18):
So to see someone like cash Combine, this young man
who is on the scenes, he's amazing two for him
to just donate three thousand dollars to us, it really
speaks to his heart his generosity. Because there are some
communities sometimes we don't always donate to causes as people
(13:41):
of color, because we're always suspicious.
Speaker 4 (13:46):
And for other reasons.
Speaker 2 (13:47):
I think it's cultural at times, it could be a
little cultural.
Speaker 4 (13:51):
But just to see this young.
Speaker 2 (13:53):
Man who has been part of the I Would Graduate
Family and he has benefited from the work that we do,
it really was special, a special moment like the other
artists that have donated, people like Jim Jones.
Speaker 4 (14:07):
Yeah, Like people would not.
Speaker 2 (14:08):
Even imagine that Jim Jones, you know, has been one
of our largest supporters for twenty years.
Speaker 3 (14:16):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (14:16):
And what is really special about that too, is that
the young people see other folks like us, you know,
giving and being a part and being strong members of
this community in a situation as you mentioned, you know,
it could be so many other things that that at times,
you know, keep us separated. But you know, it's just
(14:38):
when you see that that togetherness. And I know it
does sound cliche, but I mean it's listen to teamwork
makes a dream work. It's you know, when you see
somebody like you who is a part of the growth,
you can then look to, you know, your fellow brothers
just say like, oh, you know what I'm saying, Look
at I'm gonna listen to the music a little different
because i know that I'm even that much more connected
(15:00):
to what's happening. And that's a precious thing. That's something
that trickles throughout the whole community.
Speaker 4 (15:06):
Absolutely. Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (15:09):
Now you're doing a lot of helping for others and
the team is there, But what is it that you
and you mentioned some of the things that you know
when you wake up early in the morning. Because I
ain't even gonna lie to you. I don't get up
that early. I try to sleep in and I stay tucked,
especially during these cold winter weather months. But what are
some of the other things that you love to do
and what are those things that make you smile that
(15:29):
you get to do in your spare time.
Speaker 3 (15:31):
When there is any or if there is any.
Speaker 4 (15:36):
Well, I'm a singer songwriter.
Speaker 3 (15:39):
Okay, I don't know, I did not. I love that amazing.
Speaker 2 (15:44):
Yes, yes, I've been working in the music industry since
I was a teenager.
Speaker 4 (15:52):
And how this organization came to be.
Speaker 2 (15:56):
I don't know how much you know of my background,
but I worked in the industry singing of course, touring.
I've done a lot of back round work for people
like Mariah Carey.
Speaker 4 (16:07):
And Mary J.
Speaker 2 (16:08):
Blige and Gerald Leaver and different people who I was
able to get what we call background gigs, and during
those years, it's amazing. And I've always been a singer songwriter.
And so I have two albums, three albums that I've recorded.
(16:32):
I've gone top twenty on Billboard twice.
Speaker 3 (16:36):
See, you know, I'm not evenna lie to you.
Speaker 1 (16:38):
There are some of these things that I knew, but
I wanted you to say so you can make sure
that the world.
Speaker 4 (16:44):
I feel goofy when I talk about it at all.
And so you know.
Speaker 2 (16:50):
I love the arts, you know, and I'm a goofy,
goofy girl. You know, whenever I can, I would love to,
you know, get on broad Way.
Speaker 4 (17:01):
And you know I love touring.
Speaker 2 (17:03):
I've toured with Donnie for Kirklin and Fred Hammond on
the Festival Praise tour and I left the business like
when they called me for the tour, it was just like,
I don't know how I'm gonna be able to do this.
Speaker 4 (17:16):
Tour because I do the music in my spare time.
Speaker 2 (17:19):
And I put it out and you know, it just
catches fire sometimes and then people want you to be
on tour. And you know, I love the music industry,
but it has not provided me a lifestyle.
Speaker 4 (17:35):
It's a tough industry.
Speaker 2 (17:37):
So I kind of do that as a side gig.
But if I could, I would do it like I
would just be.
Speaker 1 (17:46):
It's and who knows, and that's the thing is and
who knows? And when where I wanted to go with
that question is is following your passion, following the things
that really yeah, follow those things that really you know,
fuel your heart, that lead to the other ava news
of where you're directing that energy and and you're giving
to others. And and that's where this, this is where
(18:08):
I will graduate stems from. It stems from the passion
that you have to to serve. And that's something that's
super that's super beautiful. So yeah, to be doing this for,
like I said before, two decades and to be able
to share this and bestow this energy upon the young
folks uh that are here uh in the city, it's
it's something that that's beautiful. Let's stay on the topic
(18:30):
before we wrap things up. Of music, say, how is
to give you your very own iHeart radio station and
you were to put together a playlist, were give me
your top five favorite artists or songs that you would
make sure that we heard, and one of those better
be one of your songs, just just saying.
Speaker 2 (18:50):
Listen, we're gonna start with two of my songs. I'm
more than a Conqueror. Yes, as we said, I'm a winner,
I'm a winner. And and then definitely Kirk Franklin, I
mean I can just go back to any album and
pull songs.
Speaker 4 (19:09):
Kirk Franklin, you know.
Speaker 2 (19:14):
Unfortunately most of my top songs would be gospel.
Speaker 3 (19:18):
It's not unfortunate at all.
Speaker 2 (19:20):
No, yeah, well because I heart well, not unfortunately, but
Ricky Dillar okay, the choir master, and then I would
have to go to my upbringing the soul music, okay.
Speaker 4 (19:36):
Verry White, oh yeah, the earth wind.
Speaker 1 (19:39):
Then fire okay, okay, the first said Gerald the verse
you said that, Yeah, the B, B and CC is
somewhere in there too, absolutely absolutely, And.
Speaker 3 (19:51):
I'm not even gonna lie.
Speaker 1 (19:52):
There better be some Jim Jones or some Cash Koba
somewhere sprinkled in there as well.
Speaker 4 (19:58):
Okay.
Speaker 3 (20:00):
While that, I love you for that. Okay, I love
you for that. As we put a bow on the conversation,
I will graduate.
Speaker 1 (20:10):
What does it mean to you to see this continue
to grow and blossom and another twenty years I hope
we can have this conversation celebrating forty What does this
mean to you?
Speaker 3 (20:20):
This organization?
Speaker 2 (20:22):
It means life, yes, it means blessings. It means thanksgiving,
It means gratitude. It means that God saw me and
he gave me something precious to develop and to bring
into the earth. And when when I think about the
(20:49):
assignment of I will graduate, I know that I was
chosen for this, and so it means that God had
a plan a purpose for my life that I must accomplish.
Speaker 1 (21:05):
Well, I thank you so much for taking the time
today too to just be the be the voice, to
be the team leader behind it all. And to everybody
who makes every young person who gets to be a
part of I would graduate something special. Just thank you
for finding your path and choosing to walk down because
that's sometimes difficult for folks to do.
Speaker 3 (21:26):
So I really truly appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (21:28):
Into the entire team, and to anyone who's listening and
watching the Building Black Biz podcasts, I thank you, miss Tonia,
yeah for being you.
Speaker 4 (21:41):
Well. Thank you so much. Maxwell.
Speaker 2 (21:43):
And if I may say and speak into your life
that eyes have not seen and ears have not heard
all the great things that you're going to do.
Speaker 3 (21:52):
I'm trying.
Speaker 1 (21:54):
I'm trying so much well they continually, I'm continuously blessed.
Happy New Year, Happy holiday is all nine and all that.
And it ain't gonna be the last time that we
hang out our promise.
Speaker 2 (22:04):
Absolutely, we want to definitely invite you to your part
of that I would graduate family.
Speaker 3 (22:08):
Now you're the best you take care and happy holidays
to you. Thank you so much, Maxwell, Bite Down Blessings,
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