Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiombé Nucklos O’Rourke.
Hi Tiombé, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
In 2017, I discovered there was a real issue of food insecurity at my alma mater, Spelman College. Students at Spelman College were on a hunger strike because they were not being permitted to donate their unused swipes in the cafeteria to students who were in need (hungry).
My mother raised us in a way that demanded we do something if there was a problem, and it was within our abilities to correct the problem. Once I realized this was not a unique situation but rather a problem among all college students, I decided I was going to feed the students in the Atlanta University Center who couldn’t go home for the Thanksgiving holiday. I only had a few weeks before the holiday break so I called my Spelman sister Joy Smith and asked her if she would be willing to assist me with this endeavor. Not surprisingly, she was immediately on board.
Joy secured a venue on the campus of Clark Atlanta University and the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, we held the event. We passed out gift bags, gave away gift cards to airlines (hoping this would assist students to get home for Christmas), gave handwritten cards that included money, gave away a small scholarship, and provided a scratch-cooked meal prepared by Executive Chef Desmon Short.
The first two years, I paid for most expenses out of pocket and had a few close friends donate. Each year the event grew exponentially. In 2019 I started 1881 True Blue, LLC and sought more donations to increase the number and manner we could assist the students. We went from feeding approximately 15 students giving away several hundred dollars in 2017 to feeding around 40 students and giving away around $7000 in 2019 in addition to the chef-prepared meal, free toiletries and cash/scholarships for the students. It was at this dinner I would meet a volunteer and Morehouse brother, Eric McGlothen. Eric expressed to me how he loved what we were doing and offered to help us get 501(c)3 nonprofit status.
In 2019 I went to Spelman and Morehouse campuses and asked to pay off balances of students. I went to Spelman first. Once we got past WHAT I was trying to do, we found several students to clear their current balances. I then walked over to Morehouse but was having a little more difficulty finding students, so I reached out to Frank Lawrence, Jr. told him what I was trying to do and within minutes, he connected me with some of his mentees.
After this experience, I knew I wanted to do more! I approached several of my Spelman sisters and asked them to help me raise money to pay off balances for graduating seniors at Spelman and Morehouse colleges. Once AGAIN, my sisters jumped into action, and the Save Our Seniors Spring Soirée was born and set for April 4, 2020.
INSERT WORLDWIDE PANDEMIC MARCH 13, 2020!
However, the work didn’t stop there. My father, William W. Nucklos, MD passed away July 14, 2019. He was one of the smartest men I have ever known and was always ahead of the curve. Before his passing, he kept telling my sister “it (The World) was about to be off the hook!” And this was one time I wished he had been incorrect. We had to postpone our event, never thinking it would be for TWO years. In the summer of 2020, I was trying to find a way to honor my father. He is where I got my giving nature. I decided to give away a scholarship in his honor. He referred to me as his “War Dawg”, so I landed on a $10,000 scholarship for a Spelman or Morehouse student who had lost a parent(s).
I found a committee of people who were willing to read the essays and choose a recipient. Although I intentionally didn’t have a vote, I read every submission. My heart broke many times over and I knew we had to do more. Yet again, I approached my Spelman sisters and said we needed to raise more than this $10,000 because these students were making ways out of no ways. I went on a personal rampage of getting donations and I asked Kanika Sloan Williams, Esq to go before our SpelHouse family on social media so we could crowdfund. In two days, we were able to raise over $20,000 additional dollars and give away 17 scholarships instead of the one.
The needs of the students didn’t stop because there was a pandemic, quite frankly it exacerbated the difficulties students were having. My biological and Spelman sister, Túere Nucklos approached me with the Double Good popcorn fundraiser, which was fairly new at the time, and we decided to see if we could raise some additional funds for HBCU students. She and I sold on behalf of the students and for each student who participated, we added money to what they personally raised and more than $11,000 was earned. Not a bad fundraiser while we were all navigating unchartered pandemic waters.
Virtual gatherings were a real “thing”, especially during the first part of the pandemic, as we couldn’t go anywhere. DJs began utilizing different platforms and earning money. My husband and Morehouse grad (it sounds a little weird to say Morehouse brother, lol) Kenneth R. O’Rourke, Jr. Esq was going to raise money for charity, so of course I said, HEY 1881 True Blue over here would be happy to accept what you donate. During the pandemic, he helped to raise approximately $10,000 virtually while people listened to the melodic sounds of DJ J finesse! This was how we began reaching students at HBCUs outside of Atlanta.
Unbeknownst to me, in July 2020 1881 True Blue LLC became True Blue 1881, Inc a 501(c)3 nonprofit that services all 107 HBCUs. Thanks to Covid and the havoc imposed on the post office, I never received the notice and found out in October we had received that status. Did I mention Eric McGlothen not only did the work for free, but he also paid all the fees? God’s grace is truly sufficient!
On April 2, 2022, we were finally able to have our Save Our Seniors Spring Soirée, Harlem Renaissance edition. I am proud to say the event sold out and we raised more than $50,000 to pull it all off. We should be able to pay off a few dozen balances with the money raised. Everyone was impressed by the event, and we are hopeful that it will get bigger and more lucrative each year. The students need us!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Honestly, I would have never guessed we would go from feeding a few handfuls of students to a nonprofit that gave away more than $100,000 2020-2021. In terms of our organization, the road has been exceptionally smooth, as God always provides if you are moving in His purpose. I would say one of the most difficult things has been finding the students. Because we are graduates, we are somewhat removed and must make a concerted effort to reach out and let students know we are here to serve them. The pandemic has required us to pivot and become creative so we can assist from afar and navigate this new normal. Ryan Gibbs (Morehouse 2023) and Inglish Hills (Spelman 2022) are two students who have been instrumental in keeping me abreast of the needs of students. Their value to our organization is immeasurable.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about True Blue 1881, Inc?
True blue 1881, Inc is a 501(c)3 nonprofit created to eliminate food, shelter and financial insecurities among HBCU students. Our goal is to help students graduate by helping students overcome any hurdles that could potentially prevent them from graduating. We do so by providing DIRECT aid to the students, minimizing the red tape while realizing the cost of a college education goes well beyond the price of room, board and books.
What sets us apart is we intentionally try to make it easy for students to receive assistance. Most of our help ONLY requires the student to be full-time. Very few of our scholarships are academically based, if I could guess, it’s less than 10%. ALL students deserve to receive help if they are giving their all. Faith and WORKS are required. When they have done what they can, we step in to fill the gaps.
Our tagline is Philanthropy done differently! We want our students to win, and it is our hope when they can do so, they will reach back and pay it forward. I believe we are known for our brazen desire to help. I make it a point to consistently show our donors/sponsors HOW their dollars are making a difference. When a student receives assistance, it is asked they make a video in their own words telling the World who True Blue 1881, Inc is, how we assisted them and to encourage those who can to donate so the next student can be helped.
I am most proud of the students. Their stories inspire me to be better and do more. Every time a student texts me with an accomplishment I KNOW what we are doing is making an impact. I had a student who was renting a car, working by way of uber or door dash to pay for said car so he had a place to sleep when the pandemic sent students home. We were able to get him housing until he could return to campus. Soon thereafter, I received a text and he had earned a 100% on his math test. These students just need a little help, and then they continue to do great things.
The message I would like to drive home is the needs are year-round! As we begin to make a greater impact at more HBCUs, the needs just become greater. Therefore, we are always accepting donations. If your job will match charitable donations, please consider our organization. If you shop on Amazon, please consider using Amazon Smile and designating us as the nonprofit so a portion of your purchase will go to True Blue 1881. If you can set up a monthly contribution, that would be extremely helpful. EVERY dollar donated is appreciated and COUNTS!
Most of all, I want these students to know we genuinely care, and we hope we show it in word and deed.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My father played a huge role in who I am and what I am passionate about. In the perfect World, my sole job would be to raise money and help others. My SpelHouse family is second to none. There is truly NOTHING they can’t do, and they do so with a positive and willing spirit.
Kenneth R. O’Rourke, Jr. Esq: Resident DJ (Morehouse c/o 98)
Joy Smith: Co-Founder and Chief Philanthropy Officer (Spelman c/o 88)
Kanika Sloan Williams, Esq: Chief Financial Officer (Spelman c/o 97)
Kimberly Sanders Bryant, PMP Corporate Secretary/PMO (Spelman c/o 96)
Kenya Pierre, Esq (Spelman c/o 96)
Joslyn Jackson, Esq: (Spelman c/o 96)
Juanita Ramos (Spelman)
Kenisha Barron (Spelman)
Kashta Eneas, Esq, (Morehouse c/o 98)
Kevin Washington, MD (Morehouse c/o 99)
Clifton Prince, MD (Morehouse c/o 95)
Edward Platenburg (Morehouse co 2000
Túere Nucklos (Spelman c/o 95) )
Mark Nelson (Morehouse)
Valerie Vanterpool
John Peoples (FAMU)
Flex Alexander
Vincent Watson (Alabama State & University)
Alana White (Spelman c/o 99)
Contact Info:
- Email: true1881blue@gmail.com
- Website: trueblue1881.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trueblue1881/?utm_medium=copy_link
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9buvDp5Ya_12FaQ2pIV9zw
Image Credits
Kemi Griffin Photography
