Today we’d like to introduce you to Takesha Dye.
Takesha, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Sure! I grew up in a single mother home with my mother, whom I love dearly. Growing up without a father, my mom poured into me what she felt I needed to know to grow up to be successful and make a positive impact in the world. She had to be mom and dad for me and I believe she did the very best at it. When I entered my early adolescent years, I remember having a conversation with my mom (we always had conversations… lol) about her not finishing middle school. My mom told me for the first time that she dropped out of school in the 7th grade and became pregnant with me shortly after. All my mom knew is that she wanted to give me the best life she could afford for me to have.
Growing up, I felt I had the best life not knowing all the sacrifices my mom was making daily to provide for her only child. Fast forward to middle school, I became very active in after school programs and sports, with homework became harder and harder by the year. Middle school was hard because I had to find a way to pass my classes on my own. I did not have the help most kids got from their parents with homework and it was not because my mom was not there, she was physically there but I had surpassed her educational level and it was hard for her. It was in those moments I realized I wanted more than just a middle school education. I wanted to graduate high school and go to college. I thank God for my mom every day because although she was unable to help with my school work, she was there in so many other ways giving me every tool I needed to succeed in life and supporting every decision I have ever made.
My first life-changing experience happened when my mom signed me up for the Wayne Barton Boosters program in Boca Raton, Fl. Wayne Barton, a police officer at the time, took underprivileged kids and showed us what life was outside of our backyards and outside the community. He started a foundation that would take us on educational field trips, camping, and college tours. It was being part of the Barton boosters that I realized that I wanted to grow up and be a police officer, so I could be of service and help others. To this day I am so grateful that the Barton booster program existed, and I wish one day I could find Wayne Barton and tell him how much he changed my life by just taking interest in the inner-city kids.
As time went on, I began taking basketball seriously and landed myself a “full-ride” basketball scholarship to Daytona State college and Wagner College in New York. After college, I went on to work on Wall Street for about three years then moving on to St. Jude Research Hospital as their African American Marketing manager in New York. After working about five years in Corporate America, I realized the desk job thing was not for me and I began to tap back into my desire to become a Police Officer. I then quit my job and stepped out on FAITH and moved to Grand Prairie, TX. I applied to become a Police Officer in January of 2012 and by the Grace of God I receive a call in June of 2012 asking if I was still interested in being an officer. I was jumping for joy inside as gave a quick YES and in July 2012, I began my journey as an Officer.
I must say becoming a Police Officer was the most challenging thing I’ve ever had to do. Once I became a Police Officer, I always knew that my life had a greater purpose; it felt like it gave life new meaning. I was a servant and being of service to those in need. It was then I began to dream about starting my own organization that would be used to reach the youth in Grand Prairie and help them to a brighter future. I’m currently a School Resource Officer where I’m constantly engaging our youth about school, crime, and most importantly life outside of school. Being a School Resource Officer really set fire to the passion I had in starting a nonprofit organization that would give back to the community and our into our youth.
Throughout my years of being a school resource officer, I struggled with the fear of starting my own organization. I always knew I would have the support from my fellow officers and the community, but it was me, I was standing in my own way. It was not until I went through a traumatic life event that I realized that the one thing I needed the most and what I always had was my relationship with Christ and my Faith. In 2018 I took a BIG leap of FAITH and started the nonprofit organization, TD Foundation. TD Foundation was founded on the principle “Empowering and Equipping the next generation of leaders.”
Our core values for our students and staff is Commitment, Accountability, Determination, and Support. The organization is still very new, but we have a dedicated board and a group of volunteers that are just as passionate about TD Foundation as I am. Every day is dedicated to finding ways and people to connect with to help grow the TD Foundation. I believe I have found my purpose in TD Foundation; it’s not just something I am doing it is who I am. I am a servant and I am here to serve and connect with many different people. The purpose of TD Foundation exists as a team effort. Our kids are the future; they are the next generation of leaders!!!
Has it been a smooth road?
It has not being a smooth road. When you are birthing something, a vision or what you believe is your purpose from the from the ground up it is never easy. You literally have to get people to buy into your vision. When you step out of faith to start a business, you never have all the answers or the MONEY. The resources, money and time all play a big part in succeeding and I believe that has been my biggest struggle with starting TD Foundation.
We’d love to hear more about your organization.
TD FOUNDATION is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization located in Grand Prairie, TX. I am dedicated to working with youth in Grand Prairie to Empower them and Develop life skills while Maximizing their Academic Success. The Foundation seeks to accomplish these goals by developing relationships with students in the community through a series of educational empowering programs. My hope is that with the help of community partners, the dedication of volunteers, staff members, and the Grand Prairie community we will strive to improve the overall life of the youth in Grand Prairie.
I am most proud of the changes I see in the kids that I get to meet with. Them taking an interest in bettering their own life. What sets me apart, I believe is this is not about reaping the benefits of having the notoriety. It’s about doing the work, being the change. I believe this is what God is calling me do, having that GOD-FIDENCE.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I like the diversity and all the resources available to those that want the help. I try to find the positive in everything so no least for me.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://tdfoundation.net/
- Phone: (682)220-9877
- Email: tdfoundation@mail.com or info@tdfoundation.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TDFoundation/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TDFoundation1
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