A passion to ensure the educational and life success of all children, particularly young African American men, has propelled my work for all of my professional life. Although following one's passion can make for a fulfilling life, passion is not enough to create a successful and sustainable nonprofit organization. Like many leaders in the field, my passion is serving children, and so the skills needed to effectively grow and lead an organization came second. In the over two decades I've been in this industry I've learned a few key lessons along the way that have helped the organizations I have founded get to the place we are today. But throughout the ups and downs the stories of our scholars' success have always sustained us.