Today we’d like to introduce you to Timothy Richardson.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Timothy. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
The seed for Ties For Change was planted when I was younger. My father passed away and this left me to be raised by a single mother. Although she did a commendable job the feeling of not having a father figure never eluded me. One day during my elementary school graduation I boldly wanted to wear a “big boy”, I remembered my dad wearing the same ones. The teachers were pre-occupied and no one was able to show me how to properly fix a tie before I crossed the stage.
Internally I felt unsatisfied so I took action. I got on the computer and looked up the closest Men’s Wearhouse. I road my bike a few miles and was able to find it. I walked in and found the closes sales associate. I held the tie up to him and said: “Please teach me how to tie this”. He looked at me with apprehension and almost disbelief of the situation. So he addressed his co-workers and asked who was playing a joke on him.
Further analysis of my facial expression allowed him to realize I was being completely serious. He asked me where my parents were and replied with the only thing I knew which was the truth “My dad died and my mother is working overtime”. The humble sales associate sat down with me and taught me how to fix the tie, and while doing it shared a piece of his life as well and that was him losing his father at a young age as well. This day would later become a doctrine for me.
Through adolescence, I had the want and passion to create something bigger than myself to be a point of light for other young men in my situation. It seemed throughout my childhood I felt my most important when I put a tie and suit on. Ties For Change is a non-profit mentoring program that was created to help young black men navigate into the corporate and professional world.
In conjunction with being a humanitarian, I am a professional model and actor in the Atlanta area. Most of Ties For Change funding comes from my own personal revenue. I love art and I love what it can do for people. My goal is to inspire through my acting projects and my work in the community.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road has definitely not been easy. It has been a battle with physically, emotionally and spiritually. From living in my car for 2 weeks when I was in Miami, Florida and had just started modeling. In dealing with the entrepreneurial woes of not having consistent revenue and sometimes dealing with financial hardships. This journey to being my own brand and boss has landed me in debt and a few anxiety attacks.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Ties For Change – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Ties For Change is a completely hands-on mentoring program that matches young men with a mentor through an extensive application process. Upon review of the applications, my team and I reach out to noble and well-qualified mentors that align with the goals and interest of the young men.
Ties For Change is known for the overall improvement of a young man in all areas of his life. I not only focus on professional progression but improvements physically and emotionally. Health and wellness is a pillar of Ties For Change because my father passed due to lack of good health. Also, mental health is so vital in our society and especially amongst men who do not know how to express how they feel or do not have an outlet to vent to.
Ties For Change is different from other mentoring programs centered around young men because I also include a large participation from women. Some would see this as a contradiction but when I explain my mother was also my father it supports my statement of “a woman can raise a man”.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I’m looking forward to getting my funding for Ties For Change so I can work on full-time. I feel my efforts can be better and right now I’m searching for resources that could help Ties For Change. My long-term plans is to fund Ties For Change from my acting career.
Contact Info:
- Address: 6103 Meadown Circle, Riverdale, GA. 30349
- Website: timothyrichardson.org
- Phone: 4079632679
- Email: timrichardsonbooking@gmail.com
- Instagram: @timothymrichardson
- Facebook: @timothyrichardson
- Twitter: @timothyrich22
Image Credit:
Attah Junior
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