Excerpt from my book:
My Enrollment Story
Years ago I participated in the Season for Non-Violence through Agape. Created a project that turned into founding a 501C-3 non-profit foundation called, ‘Kidz Eyes Foundation.’ Got the 501C-3 within 3-4 months! We provided scholarships to underprivileged kids for training or studies in their art of choice that they excelled in. Gathered a team of friends together. The first meeting we had, I presented them with store made t-shirts with logos so they’d feel this was concrete.
Enrolled the cooperation of the LA Unified School District of two rival high risk high schools, a graphic artist to make our logo for free, paper and printing services at little cost, custom made upgraded t-shirts for free. The high school kids agreed to participate on their off time. Schools provided buses to bring the kids to and from locations and we had usage of porta-potties donated.
We piggy backed our opening event on the 501-C3 of ‘Art Share LA,’ which we were so grateful to, while we finalized our paperwork. We enlisted both English and Spanish Radio Station interviews, and newspaper promotion. I got one interview off the street as I eyed the radio station truck and spoke up. Next morning I was on air talking about our foundation and event. My main partners and I walked up and down streets going door to door of restaurants and businesses to donate food and services for our days of work that the kids and my team spent building up to our main event. I even had a black Baby Grand piano delivered free of charge from the Valley to the warehouse in Downtown LA where our event took place. Free floral arrangements day of in Downtown LA. Yes, boom done!
We were in the evening news day of our event thanks to a top news anchor friend. We had kids from tiny tots and up in a choir song, a child prodigy age 5 played on the grand piano, and Alexandra Nikita who was called “The Thumbprint of Picasso” by Oprah participated as well and did a second event with us later. I cried tears of joy and laughed. My heart never felt so full.
This was blood, sweat and tears. A project that came from my heart and pure passion. I spent days and nights creating every detail of each event then bringing it almost complete to my team. We’d fine tune a few details in one, two meetings max and the team would handle their assigned part. We were full speed. Everyone was on board. We only dropped one person the entire time. I remember us painting the wooden stage days before the event.
Kids from Roosevelt and Garfield High Schools painted a large mural of Martin Luther King and Mahatma Ghandi. Rival high schools, zero fights, shook hands and worked together preparing, sketching, painting for a week. We released balloons with messages in the air. These kids were so present and deep in their art. They could care less about the media or the celebrity appearances. They were dedicated and had a great time on the project.
Martin Luther King’s widow and family came to the event and saw the mural. Agape voted us Top 10 non-profit organizations to participate in Season for Non-Violence. We let Art Share LA keep the mural for their the space and all they did to support us.
Want to know something?
I knew nothing about business then. Business meant suits and boredom to me. I’d never done minute notes but watched my mom growing up do court documents. I had barely learned to use a computer or how to turn one on and off, Lol. Got my first desktop during that time. Almost busted my corneas from being on the computer so much. Had to take a month off and get a screen protector.
I had friends, passion and a loving empathetic heart, a lot of energy and drive. I didn’t follow patterns or rules and didn’t have social media. I did what was in my gut and was relentless. Oh and “free” was my middle name as in donations. “No” to me meant “not yet” or “go in a different door,” but I was coming until you’d tell me yes! I only got turned down by one company out of a few hundred, I believe for sponsors of product or services. Little money was invested into this. Even my lawyer was pro-bono!
The foundation lasted several years before we moved on due to living out of state and the core group going their own way. It broke my heart to release it. Yet it will always be one of the most memorable times in my life. I had nothing and did everything.
I look back at what we accomplished and see the power of VISION, COMMITMENT, ARTICULATION, CONNECTIONS and ENROLLMENT. Business knowledge, formulas or none, didn’t stop us. We got it done. How was this possible? Having a clear, set vision, a commitment of steel, knowing the art of written and spoken words to articulate well and speak into others minds your vision and the seductive power of enrollment to infuse your vision into others beliefs until they see it so clear and stand with you. Also building solid relationships with people who believe in dreams and have passion! Does business knowledge help. Oh hell yes! Only when you have the power of the mindset I’ve stated above.
I am grateful for the lessons I’ve learned. And like this I have many. So to recall this power is great. To take from that chapter, a piece of myself so driven, so rigorous, so courageous and pull it out and team it up with what I know now, BAM!!! 💥 Let’s Go!!!
