Exploring Life & Business with Dr. Terrance Berry of Focus 21 Foundation

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Terrance Berry

Hi Dr. Terrance, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Before 2009, I was a double agent living 2 separate lives. Most people were only able to see the popular former athlete who became an impactful entrepreneur in his community. But, below the surface was one of the biggest distributors of drugs in Dekalb Co. On 7/25/2008 that all came to a halting end. I found myself being arrested in Griffin, Ga as well as receiving charges out of Decatur, Ga on my birthday for distributing drugs across several counties in Ga. This was my awakening moment that changed the trajectory of my life forever. Less than a year later, I was sentenced to 30 serve 25 years in 1 county and 10 years in another. At this point my life took a drastic turn and the blindfolds of my life were removed and the realities revealed. What looked like devastation was actually the beginning of a 9 years and 1 month journey to discovering my purpose.

In 2014, God gave me a vision as I was praying and meditating to God that was birthed into Focus 21 Foundation, Inc. God distinctively told me that he wanted me to design and build Focus 21 as a platform where kids could become entrepreneurs and leaders. I prepared by equipping myself with knowledge from reading over 400 books related to self development, emotional intelligence, soft skills, financial literacy, gang and drug prevention, family and friends awareness, and laws of the land. While I had the vision, the name still remained unknown. The name came about during my time at the Transitional center as I was speaking to a counselor. The counselor all of a sudden said “Focus” and follow one’s course until successful. It was the word Focus that resonated in my spirit and I added the 21 because that was my personal favorite number which means breakthrough. In that revelation, God immediately gave me confirmation and I knew the name that had been given unto my vision.

On 7/17/2018, I began my journey of redemption. It was on this day that I was released not only from prison but released to my vision. During this period of transition I obtained several jobs but most importantly Focus 21 Foundation Inc was birthed in the physical form. Focus 21 serves as a mentoring platform that operates through the Focus 21 curriculum for kids and young adults from the ages of 12-24. It was the guiding principles within the vision for Focus 21 that the curriculum was established. The foundation of the curriculum is in relationship building starting with the development of a personal relationship with God. Relationship building is the piece of the curriculum that makes it timeless and operates as fulfilling the essential and imperative need of being in a position for one’s purpose to be revealed and fulfilled. The next component of the curriculum is in building character, defining morals, and establishing values so that it becomes embedded as an inherent and natural part of one’s life. I was intentional in creating a curriculum for Focus 21 that would be relevant, relatable, and retainable based upon the needs and skills that I learned were essential for the youth and adults of today. It was vital to create a curriculum that was timeless so that I could leave a legacy and make God proud by being honorable to the vision.

Once the operational structure of Focus 21 was established it was time to launch it out as a resource for the targeted population. This was a task that came with its own obstacles but God had already made provision. While I was in the transitional center I had an opportunity to talk to several ministers who came to preach and I asked them if I could preach to the guys because they would listen to me more. Arthur Hawkins was one person that not only provided me the opportunity to speak but one that continues to provide opportunities as he stands beside me as my mentor. He became a provisional resource, serving as the first person that assisted me with gaining access into the school systems. The initial access was truly just the beginning and served as the launching pad for the remaining visions, aspirations, and things that God told me that I would be able to do to come into fruition. From that point on no one asked me about my record, no one judged me because of my record.

In less than 5 years I have become a presence in the Atlanta metro area school system, universities, trade schools, juvenile facilities, the Georgia prison system, and now corporations speaking, teaching and providing information about the effectiveness of Focus 21. The success of Focus 21 exudes in many different areas of life. We have provided opportunities for over 9,000 kids but we have impacted over 50 kids that are going to college, trade schools, the Military and quite frankly who stayed out of prison and jail to become respectable young men and ladies in their homes and spreading out into their community. Every year we are sponsored by several corporations to do food drives, back to school giveaways, holiday toy giveaways, and workshops that will turn boys to Kings and girls to Queens. Focus 21 is everything to me. It is my connection to God. It is my connection to my mom and my dad. It is what God told me would impact the world. I know that one day soon I will be a part of Focus 21’s expansion into the Caribbean island, Europe, Africa, and Australia building schools and building a foundation for kids to have opportunities that they didn’t have growing up.

By operating in my purpose I have been able to be impactful, I have received countless rewards for my community efforts, I have opened several successful companies while climbing the corporate ladder at Ups, and I have obtained my Doctoral Degree this year. Indeed, there have been many successes but none more important than becoming a husband and present father. Fatherhood is definitely the second most rewarding thing about my life with the first being my lovely wife who has stood by my side for 25 years. While it may seem like much, this is only a portion of the pieces to the puzzle that compiles the redemption story of Dr. Terrance Berry and the impact of Focus 21 Foundation, Inc.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My life has taught me that there is no such thing as a smooth road. I thought that I had a life that was fulfilling and that I was in total control until I realized that I never had control and I was never fulfilled until I totally surrendered. Life is a journey that is filled with ups, downs, twists, turns, and blindsided moments that brings its own share of life experiences. For myself, those life experiences are disappointments from bad investments, wrong decisions, disloyalty, civil injustices, and access barriers. The ability to overcome those experiences begins with understanding that it is not the experiences that determine the finale but the reliance on knowing that all things work together for the good of those that love God and are called according to his purpose. My pain, my troubles, my life experiences were all instrumental in catapulting me into my purpose.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Focus 21 Foundation?
Terrance Berry is a motivational speaker with over 15 years of public speaking experience. Terrance has owned several businesses with a focus in sales and marketing. As with every great leader, Terrance has experienced many highs and lows in life that he shares with his mentees openly and honestly. Terrance has experienced great success which has slowed him to learn many great lessons. Terrance enjoys sharing his “lessons learned” with his mentees about how he overcame the disappointments of bad investments, wrong decisions, disloyalty and civil injustices.

Terrance did not allow life’s disappointments to deter him, instead he allowed the lessons of those decisions to cultivate him into the dynamic leader that he is today.

Terrance has placed his life story on a platform to be used to inspire youth. As a mentor Terrance’s goal is to guide them through familiar choices and challenges that they too may face in life. As the Visionary of the Focus 21 Foundation, Terrance shares his life story to inspire youth to become focused, creative and authentic in their quest for success.

As a motivational speaker Terrance has a very honest and blunt approach that allows him to connect with multiple generations of people. During speaking engagements Terrance always allows time for open dialog where he is willing to answer questions about his life’s journey and the keys to success that he has obtained.

Terrance is a believer and believes that inspiration is not just about what he does; it is the foundation of WHO HE IS. Terrance channeled his life experiences into powerful points of inspiration, teaching how life’s changing seasons are to help us grow, inspire us, motivate us and develop us into great people of purpose.

Terrance’s personality is captivating, allowing him to connect to people of all generations and age groups. He challenges his audiences to find their identity and own their personal presence in this world. Terrance is unapologetic about the lessons his life has taught him. Terrance gladly serves as a visionary using his voice to encourage and teach others. Cultivating the next generation of successful leaders and entrepreneurs.

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
Atlanta is a promising city that is big but it is filled with enough opportunity and access for everyone. The opportunities and access will allow you to fulfill dreams and purpose. There is opportunity and access to grow, succeed, and flourish as a leader, entrepreneur, mentor, and within any given vocation. In a city that provides unlimited opportunity and access a person has to truly understand that dedication, determination, commitment, and hard work is still required to attain success.

The alternative option is that there is also opportunity to become engaged in activities and connections that can be detrimental, demeaning, and destructive. Those are the opportunities that are disguised as beneficial all while leading to a downward spiraling path that detours purpose. The reality is that those opportunities and access comes easy and fast.

That is why it is important to have a foundation that is built on God and strong character. It is important to be able to identify with the opportunities and access that will develop into success. It is important to be able to be surrounded by mentor’s and have access to learn the tools and skills that are essential to building one’s success.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Focus21.org
• Instagram: Focus21foundation
• Facebook: Terrance Berry
• Youtube: Terranceberry

Image Credits
My Brother Keepers Reginald Crossley, Focus21 Foundation Dr. Terrance Berry