Today we’d like to introduce you to Darrion Lewis Sr.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Darrion. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My story starts in what’s considered the Pleasant Grove area of Dallas. My mother brought me into this world at the age of seventeen (17) and she sacrificed her future in lots of ways to ensure my sister and I had a future. Growing up in a household headed by only my mother came with significant challenges. There were times we struggled; however, we always found a way to make it through and I think our family would credit that to God. While life was challenging early on at some levels, things became very hard during my adolescent years. By the time I reached the end of my senior year of High School, I had lost four (4) friends to gun violence in the community. I owe much gratitude to these guys because they all held me accountable in lots of ways to remain on the right path as a youth. Outside of peer accountability, there were impactful men (Grandfather, Uncles, Coaches, Mentors, etc.) that God sent to my life including one specifically who stepped in a fathered a fatherless son beginning when I was three (3) years old. This all contributed to me going to be selected to attend world leadership conferences as a teen, getting the opportunity to attend Langston University on a football scholarship and become one of the winningest Quarterbacks to attend the school, graduate high school and college with a Bachelors Degree in Psychology and a minor in Business Management, to complete a Masters Degree in Social work from Texas A&M Commerce, to lead an amazing team at Behind Every Door as the Director of Operations, and to now, be a husband to a phenomenal wife and family.
My road to coming on with Behind Every Door began with serving the ministry as a volunteer from the community. I was able to cultivate an amazing relationship with the staff at the time and things were great. I was working for the Dallas Juvenile Department as a Juvenile Probation Officer in one of the most challenging zip codes in Dallas at the time and I loved the kiddos I had an opportunity to work with. Two and a half years ago, Executive Director Will Dowell and I had a conversation about me coming on board with the team and I accepted. This was one of the best decisions of my life. I was brought in and I served as the Community Director at the community center at Roseland Townhomes for two (2) years until I was recently promoted to Director of Operations in September 2019 where I currently serve. We have a very talented team that makes my job very easy.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Obstacles and challenges I have faced along this journey has involved a lot of death both from friends and loved ones dying. This has had an impact on me openly and secretly, and I have sought out counseling for this matter. Most recently at Behind Every Door, we endured one of the most challenging summers and by far the toughest time in my career. We had a total of nine (9) of our friends from our communities shot and three (3) lives taken to include one being a nine (9) year old girl that was faithful in our programming daily and a very close to our hearts.
Personally, Professionally, and Spiritually there has been some areas I have had to mature in order to carry the mantel I do today. I didn’t at all feel good or look good, but somehow my failures have led to my success. I had to learn.
So no, the road has not been smooth, but it has been intentional.
Please tell us about Behind Every Door Ministries.
So, Behind Every Door is a faith-based non-profit organization and we operate a network of community centers to transform the narrative and experiences of poverty. I serve as our Director of Operations and I oversee our day-to-day operations from a property site perspective. I am most known for my humor and love for people. We are most proud as a company when we see individuals who live in poverty gain access to great things the had no clue was possible while having a personal relationship with Christ. It’s amazing to see a young person achieve and thrive in areas that either statistics or negative association once said the had no place. What sets us apart from others is our hunger for presence and how things happen beyond us because we value presence.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Nothing, everything has served its right purpose in my life. It has all provided a clear understanding and wisdom that prepared me for what was to come. So… I wouldn’t change a thing.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2824 Swiss Avenue Dallas, Texas 75204
- Website: www.behindeverydoor.org
- Phone: 9723314774
- Email: darrion@behindeverydoor.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behindeverydoor/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/behindeverydoor/
Image Credit:
Mya Roberts, Stephon Coleman, Cierra Cotton, Jade Crutch, Aquetta Coleman, Pedro Delegado, Ray Southhall
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