Eric's Life, INC.

Back Story: 

 

My name is Roderick "Storyteller Odd?Rod" Borisade and my older brother Eric died of a brain tumor in 1996, he was just sixteen years old. Our mother suffered from an addiction to crack cocaine and our fathers were absent. We were parentless, poor, and confused as children. I was thirteen when he passed and the combined conditions in my surroundings caused me to become suicidal. I wrote a "goodbye" letter in the form of a poem while listening to Tupac's "I ain't mad at cha" song and the idea of seeing my emotions displayed in art essentially saved my life. I wrote every emotion I felt at the time and I haven't stopped. My writing kept me alive, out of trouble, and propelled me into the life I dreamed of having.

 

For the last decade, I've spoken to over one thousand schools across the nation, sharing my story of perseverance in hopes to inspire every listener to stay the course. I tell them how I remained dedicated to my education during tough times and earned a full scholarship to the University of North Florida and then the University of Alabama. I'm requested by institutions all over the country because both students and the administration see high value in my presentation/performance. I am Spokenword Artist of the Year 2014, 2016, & 2018 in the college market and I've made it to two TEDx stages using the message of hope I started writing in 1996.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cause:

 

"Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor." — Matthew 13:57. The greatest tragedy to me is that I've rarely been booked to perform in my hometown of Jacksonville, FL. Low budgets at schools in marginalized communities have prevented me from reaching the young minds in the city that birthed me and hurts. I feel that people in my community (the younger generation particularly) are going through the same situations I faced and I want to be there to help them. In 2006, I wrote and performed in three crime prevention commercials which caused several calls for me to speak at many local schools and I gladly did so for free. It was earlier in my career and I didn't consider charging because I was excited about being sought after. I'm now an award-winning performer/speaker and I'm paid to fly across the country and share my experience, but I'm never paid in my hometown unless I put the event on myself.

 

My goal is to raise the money to cover my speaking fee through my foundation so that I don't have to charge the local institutions and they still receive the presentation and message that I give across the country. This initial Gofundme goal is set at $2000 which is still lower than my usual charge for an isolated performance in a region, but I hope that it becomes a recurring goal and every $2k I receive becomes another local institution that I can approach with my motivational presentation. Eric was a troubled teen before he passed away and I have a better understanding of how his "troubles" were influenced by the surroundings he was born into. Keeping Eric's life in mind, I share my route of making it out of the dark with young minds so they can see that they have choices as well. I no longer want to allow low budgets or bureaucracy to prevent me from reaching malleable minds. If I can help just one person live and live to their highest potential with my story, then I feel that I've succeeded.

 

Your donation:

 

For twelve years, using Eric's Life Inc., I created an annual fundraiser (The White Attire Event) that brought together people from all backgrounds to celebrate the lives of lost loved ones. In that span, we donated over $14,000 to numerous charities and promoted a grand night of love and appreciation. I brought the event to a close in 2018, but Eric's Life Inc. lives as I've kept the organization in good standing. This phase of the nonprofit will stretch to the generations to come as I will continue to use my gifts, talents, and skills to help others. Your donation will NEVER be wasted as I will overdeliver on my promises and document the results. I've already secured the first group that I plan to speak to before I reach local schools and it's a group of young men under a mentorship program called the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project (See https://www.5000rolemodels.com/). This organization has agreed to provide an audience of middle and high school men to hear and participate in my show the second week of December 2021. I plan to give the presentation at an auditorium where students are socially distanced and able to interview me during my performance. I give them the floor to create an open dialogue and ensure engagement. They will leave motivated to be the best versions of themselves and you will make this possible. I hope that you will help take part in this mission I'm on to strengthen and empower our community. Thank you for your support!