Today we’d like to introduce you to Wesley Hawkins.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I witnessed and experienced many hardships and challenges as a result of my childhood growing up in Baltimore, MD. As a child of drug-addicted parents, living in poverty, experiencing neglect and abuse, and struggling to survive were a part of my everyday life. Despite all of my hardships I remained committed to overcoming my struggles. I was placed in foster care at the age of 12 and eventually placed with an aunt who took me under her care at 13. I am now a retired correctional officer, a property manager, a business owner, an author of the book Dear Nolita. I am also the CEO of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, The Nolita Project, an ode to my mother. The Nolita Project is a mentoring program for underprivileged youth in the Baltimore community. I am also a University of Baltimore graduate, Cum Laude, with Bachelors of Science Degree in Criminal Justice and a Graduate from Trinity Washington University with a Masters in Education, as well as the fulltime single parent of my adopted younger brother, Elijah.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road to success for me. My mother was abusive and neglectful to her 10 children as well as addicted to drugs. She loved her children, but her addiction prevented her from creating a nurturing environment. As the eldest child, I often was responsible for taking care of my siblings and making sure we had food and shelter. As child myself, I did not always make the best decisions, but I made the ones needed to survive. My father was also addicted to drugs, however he was absent until my adult years. I was placed in several homes unsuccessfully in foster care, but was fortunately taken in by my aunt at 13. Being in her home provided relief for my basic needs of food, shelter, and safety. However, I had emotional wounds that would take years to heal and work through so that I could build strong, healthy relationships with others. As I began healing, I began believing that I could become more than my circumstances.
As you know, we’re big fans of The Nolita Program. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I founded The Nolita Project Inc. (TNP), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 2016. It is a a mentoring organization that provides mentorship to underprivileged youth in the Baltimore community. It is also dedicated to the life and legacy of my mother Nolita Smith. As the CEO of TNP, I take pride in being able to relate to the hardships and struggles of my mentees in a way that builds rapport and trust, that is what sets me apart from others and what I specialize in. Because of my history, the youth I service trust that I truly care and am dedicated to their success personally and in life. Because of my personal and professional success, they trust my leadership. That is what I am most known for, my leadership and ability to speak to people from the heart and evoke emotion to be greater and the best version of themselves. I enlist the help of my mentees when I organize community events and show them how to actively and positively impact their communities. I give them opportunities to earn money as I teach them carpentry, construction and other hands-on activities related to my other businesses. This teaches them workmanship, responsibility, and gives them a sense of pride. I teach them basic life skills that can be used in their personal and professional lives. I am most proud of students and mentees that I have worked with in the past and present that keep me abreast of all of their accomplishments. I am also just as proud of those who find solace in confiding in me when they fail, need advice or need conflict resolution strategies. It lets me know that the brand of TNP is not just a name, but that it is having an actual real-time impact on the Baltimore community. TNP is here, in the community, doing the hard work and positively impact our youth one mentee at a time.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
I have learned several interesting and important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis. Personally, learning how to pivot in the face of change and adversity is not new to me as my childhood was predicated on survival. However, the circumstances surrounding Covid-19 were new. I found myself realizing how important mental health was in the face of a physical health crisis. The shut downs and inability to come and go freely was an adjustment as I am very ambitious and constantly fulfilling obligations and looking for new opportunities. The shutdown allowed me to sit with myself and evaluate how well I had been taking care of my mind and body. It showed me the importance of self-care and rest. In addition, I was disheartened to learn how Covid-19 disproportionally affected low-income communities and communities that my organization, The Nolita Project, services. As a mentor to Baltimore under privileged youth that were negatively impacted by the crisis, I learned how important it is to empower them with health and mental health resources that are available in the community..
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: nolitaproject.org
- Instagram: instagram.com/thenolitaproject
- Facebook: facebook.com/thenolitaproject
