This fundraiser is a very special one for me. I have never made a GoFundMe but I want to honor my accomplishment by setting this up to give back. Below is my story.

I was always different from others in the Mott Haven section of the Bronx, NY. I was picked on all the time, and I was never really accepted except for a small cohort of friends that I am still in contact with to this day.

One day, I saw a kid and his brothers sitting outside. The brother was my age. I knew who he was, we were in the same class but never really spoke. I built up the courage to go downstairs to see if he would play with me. He knew who I was but, being a kid (and doing what kids do) he recognized me as the "smelly" kid that no one wanted to play with, among other things kids called me. Long-story short, his older brother accepted me into the circle as best he could and, because I was around the kid my age more often, we eventually became good friends. He is one of the friends I am still in contact with and it's great to see our families grow over the years.

Eventually, we met at the same location. His brother noticed that I always asked a lot of questions. I'll never forget what he said because I thought he was just mocking me at first, He said, “You ask a lot of questions. That’s good! Keep asking questions and don't stop until you get the answers you're looking for."

Over the next couple of summers, I asked questions. I asked, what happens to the trash after we put it in those chutes on each of the 20 floors in my building? How does steam reach the 20th floor and why does the “thing” make so much noise when it gets hot? Why is there a giant tank on one of the buildings and why does that building have 22 floors when the other seven buildings have only 20?

When I reached adulthood, I realized that I positioned myself to get these questions answered when I didn’t realize it at the time. When I saw a maintenance worker working on the grounds, I would ask if I could help keep the grounds clean. At first, I would be ignored and told no. but as the maintenance workers learned who I was, because I kept showing up, they’d hand me a rake. I swept parks, picked up leaves when I was allowed to. I hung around with the maintenance team as much as they allowed me.

In 1993, I finally was old enough to get my first job. I was 13 years old when I applied to the Summer Youth Employment Program in New York City. I was accepted and assigned to the Mott Haven Community Center on East 143rd Street. I showed up excited the first day, about two weeks before my birthday on July 15th that year. I was turning 14 that year.

Unfortunately, on July 15th, I showed up to work and was told it would be my last day. I was too young to work in the program.

"But I turn 14 today" I said.

"There's nothing we can do. The program is going to pay you for the past two weeks but that's it. You can apply again next year."

I was devastated. A 13-year-old boy. My first job. It wasn't fair. I just wanted to be productive for the summer. What was I going to do now? I don’t want to just hang out in the streets and I don’t want to just hang out in this hot apartment all summer.

The next morning, I got up, brush my teeth, got dressed and went to Mott Haven Community Center.

"What can I do here? Can I help?"

“You won't get paid."

"I just want to do something. What can I do?"

"I'm sorry. We can't help you."

The next morning, I got up and went to Mott Haven Community Center, again.

"What can I do here? Can I help?"

The woman got on the phone and made a call. I heard a deep voice from across the hall entering the office.

“Is this the young man was let go from the Summer Youth Employment Program that keeps coming back here looking for something to do?”

Mr. Julius Bennett was the Director of Mott Haven Community Center. He also ran Winifred Wheeler Nursery School on Alexander Avenue across from the Mitchell Projects. He was a very influential person in the community as far as I could tell as a 13-year-old who didn’t understand adults’ business.

Mr. Bennett took me into his office and asked my questions. I can’t remember the questions he asked, but I do know he sent me to his son (of his same name so he called him Junior) to help pick up food for the cooking staff. I showed up every day taking odd jobs, sweeping floors, helping to pick up groceries for the cook staff. At the end of two weeks, Mr. Bennett handed me a check. I can’t remember how much it was, but whatever the amount, it was enough as far as I was concerned!

In September, school started. I went to Mr. Bennett asking if I could help after school. He sent me to Winifred Wheeler Nursery. “Go to Winifred Wheeler and find Mr. Wright. He has something for you to do.” Every day after school, I’d go to Winifred Wheeler and help (coincidentally) Mr. Winifred Wright take out the class trash and mop the floors. They saved meals for me because they knew I would show up.

“Dr. Marshall!! What’s going on Dr. Marshall?” Mr. Wright would call out to me. Imagine that! At the age of 14 years old, Mr. Wright alternated between calling me Mr. and Dr. Marshall.

That was a great summer. SWV sang Weak. Janet sang about how love goes. Tag Team told us where the Whoomp was. Onyx slammed and 2Pac got around.

Also, that summer, I learned that “It’s possible” - Ask questions and keep asking until you get the answer you’re looking for.

Mr. Bennett and Mr. Wright from the Eastside House Settlement, the entity that operates Mott Haven Community Center and Winifred Wheeler Nursery, were INSTRUMENTAL in becoming who I am today. The influence those two men had on shaping the person I am today cannot be replaced or replicated.

God has put it on my heart, for a very long time, to give back to East Side House Settlement, specifically Mott Haven Community Center and Winifred Wheeler Nursery School, in honor of these two men to say thank you. Thank you for seeing within me that I couldn’t see within myself. I want to give back so the kids who attend those facilities have access to opportunities that will, prayerfully, turn into an “It’s possible” moment for each of them. So that, one day, as they are preparing to walk the stage to be hooded as a Professional Doctorate (DBA) or Philosophical Doctorate (PhD), they will have a desire to say, “Thank you East Side House Settlement for employing great people who had such an important impact on this moment”

On the morning of Saturday, June 27th, 2026, I will walk across the stage to be hooded Dr. David A. Marshall, DBA. In honor of Mr. Julius P. Bennet and Mr. Winifred Wright, please help me raise a significant and substantial donation for East Side House Settlement in Mott Haven Bronx, New York. Any amount you decide to contribute is much appreciated, and ALL funding raised will go to East Side House Settlement.

Thank you Mr. Bennett for taking a chance on me, at 13 years of age. Being an adult now, I know how much of a shot you took. But I want to let you know, it wasn’t in vain.

Thank you Mr. Wright for teaching me responsibility and accountability and for helping to me realize why I was always so driven to achieve. I learned what work means and, at a young age, the benefit of doing a job well… just to get the job done well.