Today we’d like to introduce you to Raven Moore.
Raven, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
As an Atlanta native, I have always been passionate about giving back to my community. I specifically remember an event conducted by my father, Derick Moore, called the HBCU Allstar Game, which was the first HBCU NFL combine for Historical Black Colleges and Universities. Through this event, three students were drafted to the NFL the first year, and within a four year span, thirty-two students ended up going to the NFL as well. As a result of his legacy, I wished to pursue a legacy of my own for HBCU students to take the initiative in mentorship, leadership, and service called Utopia Atlanta.
The organization was founded in 2018 and was later incorporated in 2019. We have partnered with numerous non-profit organizations to end hunger and homelessness in the Metro Atlanta area. One of our major events each year is the “Utopia Mixer” for undergraduate students to network and raise funding for local Atlanta shelters. The mentorship component of the organization consists of partnering with Atlanta Public Schools and Fulton County Schools to assist students with college prep and resume building. The members of Utopia Atlanta are leaders individuals that are innovators and leaders within his or her community. We look forward to continuing our service to the City of Atlanta to become the ancestors for the future leaders and innovators for our community.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Although we are a relatively new non-profit organization, we have been quite productive. It was not easy, to begin with; however, as time progressed, participation started to grow. I greatly appreciate all of our volunteers and donors for helping me achieve my vision to prevent homelessness and hunger throughout the Metro Atlanta area, as well as the mentorship component for high school students. The message that we are sending is the theory of “Utopianism,” which infers the idealism of equality. We are a safe haven for all people served by HBCU students in Atlanta, GA. Our biggest challenge was helping others to acknowledge awareness. How could we get undergraduate students to participate in serving their community? The answer was simple, what if it was you? After implementing that perspective through marketing, we began to receive donations and membership requests via email.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Utopia Atlanta story. Tell us more about your organization.
Utopia Atlanta Inc. is a non-profit organization for undergraduate students to take the initiative in mentorship, leadership, and service. The mission for Utopia is for students to gain leadership experience through implementing city-wide service events and partnering with the Atlanta Public Schools mentorship program. All of our service events are external and open to the public; our primary service component is to prevent homelessness and hunger within the Metro Atlanta area. Internal functions are excluded to Utopia Atlanta members only; these events include leadership and mentorship components. The leadership component of our organization comprises resume building, interview training, and career development.
Meanwhile, our mentorship component includes mentoring incoming lower-class men from the following institutions, Spelman College. Morehouse College, and Clark Atlanta University. Members of our organization are established innovators and leaders within their college community.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
The role of luck is not necessarily the word I would use. I believe that I have taken a leap of faith in establishing this organization. Developing a non-profit such as Utopia Atlanta Inc. is a giving corporation that enhances and inspires the lives of individuals, hint the ideology of “Utopianism.” I do believe that starting this project was a calling from Christ; it never hurts to give back and help others around you. Also, it is vital to execute these responsibilities and roles with a group of people who believe in the organization just as much as I do. I never look at a project as a failure or success; I am merely just attempting to bring equality and reassurance to my community.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.utopiaatlanta.org
- Email: utopiaatlanta@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/utopiaatlanta/
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