Today we’d like to introduce you to Armand King.
Armand, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Paving Great Futures, founded by Barry Harris Jr., Jay Bowser and myself is substantially aiding our community members to mold better lives for themselves. Even though I served 3 years in prison and the others witnessed the effects of structural inequality and racism, we were not discouraged but rather invigorated to drive our family, friends, and peers down a better path. Considering their at-risk communities and populations are subject to high unemployment rates, high recidivism rates, high poverty rates, and low graduation rates, as a group, we knew that to achieve their mission of equality that they had to tackle those facets of society. To tackle unemployment, a driving force of inequity, we created an ingenious program called CHAMP: culinary, hospitality, administrative, management, project. Specifically, guests chefs spoke business plans were created, and the students even prepared the food for catering opportunities. Today, our work has made an impact on the health, knowledge, standard of living, and social living of our fellow community members. By creating job opportunities through CHAMP, volunteering in the neighborhoods (food drives, clothes drives, etc.), and being positive influences on youth, we are creating a domino effect to positively affect those affected by structural inequalities.
Has it been a smooth road?
The struggle has been anything but rainbows and butterflies. Starting as a small group, the main obstacle was networking. Yet, through our personalities, family and friend connections, and work, we were able to weave a massive network. We now are close allies of a city council, the San Diego Police Department, Health and Human Services Agency, and various nonprofit and grassroots organizations. On top of that, the struggle to alleviate the symptoms of inequity has been a crusade for many social justice advocates. So imagine the struggle of a grassroots trying to solve the issue. Yet again, we have proven our work strategy because of those enrolled in CHAMP, the number of students that show up to our Youth Hip Hop Summit, and our ability to unite gangs during our Four Corners of Life event.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Paving Great Futures – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
We pride ourselves most on our ability to talk to individuals face-to-face, genuinely listening to their concerns and using their worries to manifest palpable change for the community.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
San Diego is so diverse. You can go to the blue crystal shores of La Jolla, dense with wealth, then go more South where a different portrait of San Diego is painted. But, regardless of the stark differences in socioeconomics and color, there is also unity in the philosophy to leave the world in a better place. And that unity injustice is what I love most about San Diego.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2307 Fenton Prkwy 107-8
San Diego, California - Phone: (619) 308-6595
- Email: pavinggreatfutures@gmail.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pavingreatfutures/
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
