Today we’d like to introduce you to GradyDeMarcus Holland
GradyDeMarcus, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Hello, My name is Grady Demarcus (GD) Holland and I am The Founder/CEO of The Destination Manhood Collective Inc. We are a non-profit 501c3 organization that was established in June 2017 to mentor, counsel and provide advocacy for at-risk youth. We recently celebrated our 7th Anniversary in 2024. We focus on community outreach events tailored to encourage and redirect the negative perception associated with at risk youth and adolescent young men in our communities.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Initially we had a great start beginning in 2017 but the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 made us reconsider and restructure our approach. Social distancing and the inherent liability of sponsoring certain types of events was no longer feasible. We also experienced the unexpected loss of our community outreach coordinator Damian Holland in late 2021 and our Chef Operating Officer Elizabeth Wallace transitioned to a non active advisory role. We have managed to retain Orlando Perry as our Chief Financial Officer and Lashawna “Cookie” Simpson as our interim Chief Operating Officer. Coach Dru’Anthony Holland is our Current Community Outreach Coordinator . We are actively seeking youth mentors and will begin an advisory board membership initiative in early 2025.
We’ve been impressed with The Destination Manhood Collective Inc., but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Non-profit 501c3 organization based in Morrow Georgia. We are active in Clayton, Dekalb, and Rockdale Counties in the Metropolitan Atlanta area. The Collective was established to Mentor, counsel and support at-risk youth. We strive to promote youth development in our community through several different initiatives; with a focus on encouraging better decision making skills with an emphasis on leadership building practices.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
The COVID-19 pandemic was a very difficult time. It brought in some needed financial resources via SBA and county grants but it also limited our outreach in our communities. In spite of those challenges it also made us re-evaluate the way we approach community outreach and it taught me as CEO/Founder to utilize community resources as opposed to personal resources to fund the organization.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.destinationmanhoodcollective.org
- Instagram: @DMC501C3
- Facebook: TheDMC501c3
- Twitter: @DMC501c
- Other: TheDMC501c3@gmail.com
Image Credits
Kenyon Raymon James for Goodlook Promotional Facilities
