Today we’d like to introduce you to Gregory Collins Jr.
Hi Gregory, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Life experiences got me to where I am today. Saying that may sound like I am where I want to be but this journey is still a marathon. I spent my childhood traveling between two different communities, Park Heights and Chadwick (Gwynn Oak).
During my time around Park Heights, Cottage Avenue showed me what community was and should be. From block parties to not being able to get away with anything because everyone on our block knew my Grandparents and family. From my teachers to the corner store staff, we all had each other’s best interests at heart.
Gwynn Oak (Chadwick Manor) was a-lot more diverse. Opportunities seemed more available and the children and families didn’t look to have much of a struggle as my grandparents neighborhood. However, the overall feeling of family within community didn’t compare to Cottage Avenue. That love is what sparked my path.
Being introduced to such a diverse community helped me throughout my career. Once I graduated from Stevenson University I knew I had to pour back into our youth and people in general. I had great role models from uncle’s biologically to neighborhood uncles and cousins who made sure I didn’t fall down a path that was easily accessible.
After graduating I started working as a Leasing Consultant, mainly for the discount on rent. About 6 months into working I got a call from my college advisor who told me about DJS. Shortly after that call, a few test and interviews I became Case Manager for the Department of Juvenile Services. It was there I noticed that majority of my case load were young men who needed an opportunity to make legal money for themselves and their families.
That need birthed my first business, Collaborate Cleaning. Focusing on showing my little brothers and sisters I worked with that there are legal ways to work for yourself and giving them an opportunity to make a few dollars, even if it was just enough for groceries or to get a few outfits.
That time showed me a-lot and pushed me into the classroom. I started teaching special education for 6 years. It was a rewarding yet challenging time. I realized we had our students ears for the time they were in the classrooms but home environments took precedence over everything we poured during the few hours we had them.
Covid ironically guided me back into the community. Providing Resources and Opportunities for our youth to get over the barriers life has planted around them. The work continues, and im optimistic as to where our city and youth are headed.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road. As much as I wish it would have been, the bumps and detours created an ability to adapt and truly trust the process. Most importantly it strengthened my faith!
Being a Husband and Father of three I have to balance work and home life. Being able to provide and be present. It will take a toll on you physically and mentally! Being a business owner has not been easy. Winning contracts, companies being sold, dealing with systems that made it difficult for us to strive and many other hurdles. However I know the end game; Shout out to Chris Wilson, and keep my why at the forefront!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I consider myself to be a Social Impact Entrepreneur! Every endeavor that came to me has been to help others or put others in the light!
Collaborate Llc was my first baby. It started with cleaning, then shifted to clothing. The clothing aspect was strictly to promote a message that if we all come together more and Collaborate, we can accomplish so much more! Living and becoming a father led to my first children’s book Black Dads Can. I wanted to change the narrative about black fathers not being in our children’s lives but also motivate those dads who weren’t active to get involved! My cousin, who is an amazing artist, Britnie Walston helped me bring that vision to life. She was able to take real dads, in real life moments, and put it in a cartoon form.
Thanks to my good brother Jordan Lawson he helped bring a new children’s book alive, We Have To Make It Home, releasing this year. I don’t have a project that im most proud of just yet. I do have something major in the works, once I get an investor I do believe this will be my best one yet!
What matters most to you? Why?
My faith and family matters most to me. I’ll be 35 this September, it’s on me. It’s on our generation to lead and guide the future and I understand that. I understand that I have to do all I can to make sure my family is straight and that the communities they will travel through are different than what they are now.
Faith is my fuel to keep going. It has activated a will to never stop and trust the good and bad. Without faith and family Im not sure how this journey would look.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lulu.com/shop/gregory-collins-jr/black-dads-can/paperback/product-1mmwwkgp.html?q=Black+dads+can&page=1&pageSize=4
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gtcollab_5?igsh=Z3Yzd3J0NmNuajZ2&utm_source=qr
