The Fellowship Initiative Celebrates 10 Years

My Message to the Graduates: Take the time to appreciate the tremendous growth, maturity, and knowledge base you’ve developed over the last few years; and be ready to apply that and much more to what the future brings. 

Derrell Carroll, Vice President & TFI Mentor

My Experience as a Fellow: When I joined TFI, I was pretty shy and not very outspoken. TFI has helped me to be the person that I am today – motivated and confident. I feel like if put my mind to something, I can accomplish it. 

What’s Next: Attending Purdue University and majoring in engineering. I definitely want to give back and invest in young men of color and who are less fortunate. If I can help one young man and see him succeed, I will be super excited.

Chandler, Chicago

My Message to the Graduates: Spend the next four years learning how to learn, follow, lead, and serve in your local community. I hope that the past few months have shown you that you can’t take anything for granted. Seek challenges and seek responsibly.  Find ways to get outside of your comfort zone so that you can build personal resiliency and be there for the people you love when it counts.

Dominic Pitrone, Vice President & TFI Mentor

My Experience as a Fellow: During my time with TFI, I was able to overcome many obstacles both academically and emotionally. As a man of color, I was taught not to verbalize my emotions and to keep things bottled up, otherwise I’ll be seen as weak. However, with the help of my TFI brothers and mentors, I was able to normalize voicing my emotions and seek help when I needed it.

What’s Next: Attending Oberlin College, and one day running for office, getting my PhD in Public Policy and Urban Education, and going to Law School.

Brendan, Chicago

My Message to the Graduates: No road is long when there is strong ambition! Continue to look for opportunity to add value to yourself in order to add value to your organization. 

Joseph Ajala, Vice President & TFI Mentor

My Experience as a Fellow: My TFI mentor is someone who I can trust, and also have as a support in my process. The best part is knowing that he was always going to be there, giving me time and attention, so I didn't feel like I just shy away from my dream. I look forward to having a good network of people who I know can help me achieve my goals.    

Rueben, New York

My Experience as a Fellow: Coming from a Guyanese background, I was always taught to stay in my place and hold my tongue. TFI taught me to stand up, speak out, be who you are, and fight for what you want. The program helped me improve my public speaking skills and helped me learn how to give a great first impression to anyone that comes my way.

What’s Next: Attending Ithaca College, then I want to go into the field of fitness, and be a trainer to make sure student athletes like myself are staying healthy. 

Winston, New York

My Message to the Graduates: My Fellow Rahmel is my hero, which is one of the reasons I am wearing my Captain America shirt. He is physically, mentally and spiritually relentless, focused, dedicated and driven. To Rahmel – I would say “use the superpowers bestowed upon you.”

Michael Keden, Managing Director & TFI Mentor

My Experience as a Fellow: I feel proud when creating a positive impact around my community, a trait that coincided with TFI’s values, which I had the opportunity to experience through community mural painting, beach cleanups, and an amazing trip to Costa Rica.

What’s Next: Attending Princeton University, with a goal to become an entrepreneur in the medical field.

Julian, Los Angeles

My Message to the Graduates: The habits you build in your 20s are what you will live by for the rest of your life. Stick to a workout routine and eating healthy like your life depends on it, because it does. If you’re the smartest one in the room, change rooms. Don’t waste time defending yourself and your ideas to those that can’t dream as big as you.

Muhammad Bilal, Associate & TFI Mentor

My Experience as a Fellow: TFI has helped me better myself by getting me ready for the real world, and allowed me to overcome many of my doubts. My mentor, Cam, has really helped me by giving me so many amazing opportunities, being a guide for me, encouraging me, and serving as a great role model for me.

What’s Next: My goal is to be a great doctor to help those all in need. I can’t wait to begin a new chapter of my life, helping my community and further educating myself.

Beco, Los Angeles

My Message to the Graduates: Take the next five to ten years of your life (which will move faster than you can imagine now!) to find out who you are— apart from the expectations of others.  Then, be driven and intentional about actualizing that person at the highest level.  It’s the surest way to have a great life and have an impact.

Nicole Williams, Vice President & TFI Mentor

My Message to the Graduates: In my first Saturday Session with the TFI Fellows, I was blown away by the maturity level and perspective of these young men! They were clear about why they were there, what life choices they were contemplating, and leaned on each other and their mentors for guidance.  If it’s true that character determines our resiliency and path in life, then the sky is the limit for our TFI Fellows!

Joseph Skarda, Managing Director & TFI Mentor

My Experience as a Fellow: Being in TFI has not only given me a plethora of opportunities to give back to people from similar struggles, but also an awareness of the world that every boy needs in his transition into manhood. It makes me proud knowing that I am someone my parents can respect and the love I show others comes from a genuine place.

What’s Next: Graduating with a bachelor’s degree in cyber security, and to build the best version of myself one brick at a time. 

Arthur, Chicago

My Message to the Graduates: You are about to embark on one of the most significant chapters of your life. A chapter that is defined by opportunity and self-discovery, but also presents an array of challenges which have only been compounded by the current global pandemic. But if this time has shown us anything it’s our adaptability to unpredictable change. And there’s no better quality to have as you take this next step in your life. Be open to change, discover your passion, build your network, be a contributor to your community, and embrace the unknown.

Sarina Strickland, Analyst & TFI Mentor

My Message to the Graduates: Technology is going to shape your college experience in unimaginable ways. Make it work for you! Do not compare yourself to others. Their journey may have been different. Always look for common ground among people and do not hesitate to reach out to others who may look different.

Raj Shiva, Vice President & TFI Mentor

My Message to the Graduates: Over the last 10 years, I’ve watched TFI make a profound impact on the lives of hundreds of young men of color and their families. TFI has been truly life-changing for everyone involved.  My life has been transformed and uplifted as I watch these young men succeed over the years – it has been nothing short of awesome and inspiring.

Larry Holodak, Managing Director & TFI Mentor