Today we’d like to introduce you to Xeron Pledger.
Hi Xeron, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
After graduating from college, I began mentoring middle and high school students—a journey that organically evolved into artist development for young artist to secure record deals or in some cases, working with those who were already signed. This phase of my work had me deeply engaged with young musical artists, helping them navigate their creative paths.
Eventually, I began running the PREP (Post-Secondary Readiness Enrichment Program), which was funded by the University System of Georgia. Through this program, I was able to bring on student mentors and instructors from institutions like Georgia Tech, Georgia State University, and Georgia Perimeter College (formerly Dekalb College). This opportunity opened doors to building strong relationships across various counties and school systems. While I continued with artist development, I began to recognize a larger need: students needed more exposure to post-secondary education options, life skills, and personal development resources.
As my mission expanded, I partnered with organizations such as the Atlanta Housing Authority, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, D&E Power Group, and numerous middle and high schools throughout metro Atlanta and surrounding counties.
While I was also involved in other entrepreneurial ventures, one significant chapter began when I started working with Mrs. Gladys Knight and her enterprise. This experience allowed me to merge my passion for the arts with youth empowerment—producing concerts, launching restaurants, organizing grand openings, and more. It was a unique way to use the arts as a vehicle for creating meaningful opportunities.
This work further propelled me into community engagement efforts, including financial literacy programs, credit education (such as the 700 Credit Score Club), and housing seminars. These initiatives led to partnerships with members of Congress and eventually to a direct working relationship with Congressman Hank Johnson of Georgia’s 4th Congressional District.
Through this platform, I continued my work with youth by organizing initiatives like the Congressional App Challenge for students interested in coding and the Congressional Art Competition for budding visual artists. All the while, I remained dedicated to running my youth programs.
What started as “CHANGE” has now become Delivering C.H.A.N.G.E., a registered 501(c)(3) as of 2022. The acronym stands for Culture, Habits, Attitudes, Needs, and Growth that Equals Excellence. So we are delivering Culture, Habits, Attitudes, Needs, and Growth that Equals Excellence. Our focus is on personal, professional, and character development.
Much of our recent work has centered around supporting high school athletes—male and female from volleyball to baseball. However, this program is not just for athletes, just as it wasn’t solely for performing artists in the beginning. Example, I have been working to expand an athletic ministry at The Greater Piney Grove Church in Atlanta. In a nutshell, i know that creating hope and being a hand up and not a hand out to people is my purpose. So I simply go where God calls me and He always cuts off the branches that don’t bare fruit.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Absolutely not. Youth are the most popular, unpopular topic or focus. Everyone talks about saving the youth until it’s time to do the work. So support has been a challenge. Sponsorship and funding is inconsistent.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Most of my work revolved around entertainment, politics and consulting. People ask how I pivoted from.entertainent to politics and/or business. I have owned my consulting company, JERNE’ Group, LLC since 2004. Much of the work that I have done has been as a consultant or advisor. So I learned early that it’s all business. In entertainment, 90 percent of entertainment is business. Running any organization is business. There is a major business component that comes into play with politics, working with churches and any form of consulting. So its not difficult to pivot when you apply the principles of business such as ethical conduct, understanding the market, creating quality products, building strong teams, and effectively managing operations and financial for those in that arena.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My advice would be to take your grandiose ideas and start small, stay consistent, and test everything with understanding that perfection isn’t the goal, momentum is.
Also, diversify your network because your network will open more doors than your skills alone. Invest in reciprocal relationships from day one.
Lastly, take advantage of small opportunities like interns and apprenticeships of they are in your field of interest. Don’t underestimate what door it can open.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.deliverchangeinc.com/
- Instagram: Deliveringchangeprogram
