I want to share with you my story and journey on why I am passionate and why I started The Unforgotten First Foundation. TUFF

​

I am from Tampa, Florida and I grew up in an average middle class working family with my mother and father. My dad with no higher education moved form Georgia to Tampa to start his own cleaning business. This was my first example of entrepreneurship. My dad went on to gain many contracts in Tampa to service their buildings. His most exclusive contract was with the NFL team, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Tampa Stadium. He had this contract for over 30 years. 

​

As with any family we had our happiness, success and challenges. I became an Uncle at the young age of 8. I did not know what that role involved so I think I was more like a big brother than an Uncle.
 

The life that had been given to me was a black gay man of 26 nieces and nephews that I truly love. However, my family had to endure the choices some of them have made. Including, jail time, surviving being shot because of conflicts that our children today deal with in the streets and battling impoverished mindsets. A legacy that was not reflective of the journey my parents worked so hard to accomplish. I did not choose this life. Since this was the life I was presented with, I could do two things. I could be another statistic of a black gay man on drugs or in prison. I chose to beat the odds and create a life of success with hard work. I knew it would not be easy, walking into a corporate boardroom with no wife.

​

My 26 nieces and nephews have inspired me. Some of them have seen success in their life, but some have had their challenges of growing up without their father.

​

This is why The Unforgotten First Foundation was started. I want to ensure I help one child at a time to know no matter their current situation, they can move on to bigger and better things.
 

I want to be their voice. I want them to know they are super heroes. I want to lead and inspire them

​

I will be able to do all these things because of my journey. My journey has lead me to be married to my husband, Shawn Billberry.

​

We are in this battle to save our black and brown boys and help them succeed. Because we want them to know that they can want change. The Unforgotten First Foundation is going to make that change. We will create a legacy for our brown and black kids.