INTRODUCTION

Nine years ago Julius began a yearlong service project at an elementary school in the St. Louis Public School District. A school with high teacher turnover, over populated classrooms and failing students forced into the next grade level. This experience laid the foundation for The Explorer Program as Julius noted two very important lessons: first, that students wanted to learn and better themselves and their families but had few people who were encouraging them to do so; second, that of all the classes the students took, including P.E., they were more engaged, focused and interested in Art.

 

Julius is now committed to using Art to capture the student’s attention and furthering the realm of possibilities and opportunities that exists for them.

 

 

EDUCATION

 

What University did you go to? What did you major in?

University of Missouri. Majored in History and Military Science.

 

Do you think that anything in particular that you learned at the University has contributed to your success in the workforce?

Absolutely. While in college, I was a firefighter, apart of the military, and worked at the bar. Gaining experience throughout those activities has helped out a lot in my professional life. Staying busy eased the transition into the professional world.

 

Do you think that your degree is relevant to what you do today? If so, how?

Yes. I studied history. History is a study of the past. What’s fascinating was the idea how one can learn from mistakes made in the past. Having a history major gave guidance to replicating good things that happened in the past.

 

JOB TRANSITION

 

How would you describe your transition from college to the working world?

It was the next step. It just happened. After college, I had to move back with my mother and brother. Then moved into Chicago with $32 in my checking account. I had to do something. I couldn’t stay in my mother’s apartment forever.

 

How did you land your job with Context Media?

I was at the right place at the right time. I was at another startup in Chicago and it wasn’t a good fit. Context Media seemed like a good fit and I liked what they were doing.

 

What skills do you possess that help you succeed in your current career?

My ability to adapt. The world is always changing and things won’t go as planned. This is something that I learned in college.

 

THE EXPLORER PROGRAM

 

What inspired you to come up with TEP?

I moved to Chicago with $32 in my bank account. I was happy to be here. When you move to the city you know all the good things about the city, but there were folks dying on the street. Poverty rates out of the roof in certain communities. I wanted to step up to the plate and attempt to solve these issues.

TEP came out of necessity. What we do is create opportunity. TEP exists to make opportunity for people to get them in line. Problems come to a close. TEP creates good opportunities for good people to do good things.  If we give students our resources to be successful, we believe that they will do some significant work.

 

What differentiates TEP from other NPOs in the same space? What can people do to support TEP?

We don’t identify ourselves as an NPO. What we’re doing is what’s important. We’re an organization committed to bringing a new frontier. We have the most passionate people committed to moving this world forward. TEP are committed to insuring that no child is left behind, but rather every child exceed. Execution is the difference. We are going to enable students to make a difference.

 

Our emphasis is on photography. We need more help with folks who are talented.

 

What were some of the challenges that you had to overcome in the early stages of TEP?

Figuring out what we are going to do. You can only steer the ship once it’s moving. Once you get it moving you have to figure out the direction and get the ball to move down the field. Building relationship is the most important thing that we do. It’s going to be different. Some of the challenges consist of figuring out how to get the parents to be more involved, how to add value at the individual level, and keeping the team motivated. As for the high school students, we have to figure out what we can do to keep these folks motivated and on point. Overall, we are working together. We’re on the same team and we’re fighting the same issue.

 

Wars are won with soldiers on the ground and positioning and intelligence.

 

What excites you about having the opportunity to be the CEO of TEP?

We’re focused on the individual. We want students to go through TEP and succeed in their life.

 

Describe a typical day in your life as the CEO of TEP.

I wake up in the morning and I pray – it guides the rest of the day. 2.) I expect problems that day. Whatever it may be, I expect. I have to handle it accordingly. Afterwards, I work on my relationship with my team members, and figuring out how I can keep them motivated. Next, is meeting with our youth specialist and figuring the operation orders such as confirming or denying plans. Last is getting our leadership council up to speed and hearing their input on the next step.

 

JOB OPINION

 

Where do you envision TEP being in 5 years?

Solving the world’s problems. The goal is for every Chicago public student to go through TEP.

 

How were you able to convince the founders of your current company to give you the chance to start TEP?

We are committed to moving this world forward. They understood that TEP was committed to moving the world forward, and were happy to help.

 

ADVICE

 

If you could give advice to your 20-year-old self, what would you say?

Don’t be so mean to your girlfriends. Get as much experience as you possibly can. Diversify the people you speak with. If they aren’t smarter than you, maybe find better people to surround yourself.

 

What can people do to find their passion?

I’m very fortunate for the experience. Coming of age is finding passion. For me it was hanging around good people. Being in Chicago helped me out. Overall it was multiple experiences that led to the discovery of my passion.

 

What advice would you give to someone who wants to start a NPO?

We add value to our customer at some capacity. Figure out what you’re passionate about and believe that you are your own person in the world. If you aren’t passionate about the cause, it won’t go far.