Today we’d like to introduce you to Qu’Derrick Covington.
Hi Qu’Derrick, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I grew up extremely poor, when it was time for school, my mother couldn’t afford to buy me shoes, so I wore flip-flops to school. (As a child) I didn’t see many successful Black or business owners who looked like me.
It wasn’t until I got to middle school principal that I discovered that successful Black role model, who was a father figure to me. Now through volunteerism, I am creating space for other males of color to meet entrepreneurs that look like them. In 2019, Manuel C Fleming II and I started, The Tulsa Initiative to uplifting entrepreneurial men of color, ages 18-24, by connecting them with other entrepreneurs and leaders of color and offering resources to support their paths to success, positive attitudes, and a healthy mindset. When you look at the data data around Black and Brown males as it related to Black economics, and I noticed a gap between Black and Brown communities versus (other) counterparts. Entrepreneurship wasn’t pushed and if it was pushed, it wasn’t being supported financially. Generational wealth comes down to ownership, and Tulsa Initiative addresses that economic gap. I wanted to make sure we focused in on entrepreneurship and pushing forward (their) vision, dreams. During the program, the men learn how to start their own business and how to get their LLC license or other types of business. At the end of the 10-week program, the men pitch their business for a chance to win startup funds.
Outside of running a nonprofit as the Executive Director, I serve as the Chief Diversity Officer for the Florida Institute of Oceanography (FIO), working with a 32-member consortium to promote diversity amongst Florida’s vibrant ocean and coastal ecosystems and economies. At the same time serving as a senior leader who evaluates, develops, and implements diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, within the organization to advance diversity and inclusion in ocean science, values, and critical components of the organization’s culture.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Nothing is ever smooth in life, but you take those obstacles and defeat everyone.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
In 2022, I was invited to present at the White House for the Ocean Science and Technology Subcommittee to discuss the need to diversify Ocean Science in Black and Brown communities, focusing on historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and minority-serving institutions (MSIs). I am a two-time HBCU graduate of Fayetteville State University and Florida A&M University (FAMU), and I now attends Howard University pursuing a Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership and Policy.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tulsanonprofit.org
- Instagram: instagram.com/q.r.covington
