Today we’d like to introduce you to Khris Fields
Hi Khris, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
When I was walking miles just to get where I needed to go, with no car and eviction looming over me, I thought I was invisible. It felt like the world didn’t notice me—or worse, didn’t care. Yet, those long walks became something more. With every step through the city streets and every ride on the bus, I saw kids who mirrored my own struggles: kids without hope, kids without direction, kids who thought success was for someone else.
That’s when I realized something: I wasn’t invisible. I was walking through the problem—and walking toward the solution. My struggles weren’t a dead end; they were a path. And the path led to a mission bigger than myself.
When you’ve walked miles in the shadows, you know how to spot others who feel unseen. When you know what it’s like to feel unseen, you become determined to make sure others are noticed. When you’ve been pushed to the sidelines, you start to see the kids who are standing there too—waiting for someone to believe in them.
That’s why I founded the Wise Up to Rise Up Foundation. I didn’t want to just overcome my struggles; I wanted to make sure the kids I saw on those streets wouldn’t feel the way I once did. I wanted to give them what I desperately needed: someone to tell them they matter, that they’re capable, and that their circumstances don’t define their worth. The irony is that the struggle that made me feel invisible is the very thing that taught me to see.
Here’s where the poetic resolution comes full circle: The young man who thought the world overlooked him is now dedicating his life to ensuring that others never feel that way. What started as personal pain has become a powerful mission to lift others out of the shadows.
Through the Wise Up to Rise Up Foundation, we’re working in communities where over 85% of students live below the poverty line. These are kids who face barriers that often feel insurmountable—poverty, parental incarceration, domestic violence. They remind me of the person I used to be, but now I have the tools to help them see beyond their circumstances.
The same streets I once walked in silence are now the streets I walk with purpose, carrying a message of hope. The classrooms I once saw as distant are now the places where I deliver Presidential Medals into the hands of students who thought success wasn’t for them. I’ve been honored with awards from the Executive Office of the President, the Governor of Texas, and countless others—but those awards are not the destination. They’re proof of the ripple effect of seeing others and giving them a reason to believe in themselves.
the same invisibility I once felt has become the lens through which I see others. My struggles weren’t a barrier—they were the blueprint for the work I do now. And the clarity I found in my hardest moments was this: you don’t overcome adversity by ignoring it. You overcome it by using it to build something greater.
Today, the Wise Up to Rise Up Foundation stands as a testament to what’s possible when pain becomes purpose. The lessons I learned during those long walks have turned into programs that inspire kids to rise above their circumstances. The feeling of invisibility I once carried has transformed into a relentless mission to make sure no child feels unseen.
What makes this journey meaningful isn’t just the accolades or the milestones—it’s the realization that my struggles weren’t in vain. Every hardship I faced taught me how to connect with the kids I now serve. Every moment of feeling unseen gave me the drive to ensure others are seen. The journey from invisible to impactful is what fuels everything I do.
The poetic twist is this: the very circumstances that could have crushed me became the reason I rise every day to lift others. The streets I once walked in silence are now filled with kids walking toward brighter futures. And the life I once thought was too small has become the spark for a movement that’s changing lives.
Because when we rise, we don’t rise alone. And that’s the lesson I’ve learned: the best way to overcome your struggles is to help others overcome theirs. Together, we don’t just survive—we thrive. Together, we rise.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
At just twenty-something, I have achieved what many spend a lifetime aspiring to. Honored with some of the nation’s and state’s most esteemed awards—including the United States Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award and the Presidential Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medals from the Executive Office of the President—my accolades tell a story of exceptional service and leadership. But behind the honors lies an ironic and deeply personal narrative: a young man who once felt invisible to the world is now ensuring that others are seen, heard, and celebrated.
My journey took a pivotal turn as a student at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) in Arlington, Texas, during the global pandemic. This period of uncertainty and reflection stirred up the vision for what would eventually become the Wise Up to Rise Up Foundation. Living and studying in the Dallas-Fort Worth area during such a transformative time gave me a unique perspective on resilience, the importance of community, and the power of stepping into leadership when the world feels uncertain.
The Beginning: Walking in the Shadows
There was a time when I was fighting battles no one saw. Facing eviction, walking miles because I couldn’t afford a car, and struggling to find stability, I experienced firsthand the feeling of being overlooked and powerless. But even in those moments, I noticed something larger than myself: a community of young people whose struggles mirrored my own—kids who felt like learning didn’t matter, like success was something reserved for others.
That’s when I made a decision that would change my life. Instead of focusing on what I didn’t have, I turned my attention to what I could give. I realized that my struggles weren’t obstacles—they were stepping stones to a greater purpose. The idea for the Wise Up to Rise Up Foundation was born, rooted in the belief that knowledge and mentorship could help others rise above the very challenges I was facing.
The Irony of Success: From Unseen to Celebrated
The ultimate twist in my story is this: the young man who once walked miles in search of opportunity has now walked across stages to accept some of the nation’s highest honors. My story has gone from being invisible to being seen on national television, in magazines, and on FM radio stations.
The same person who once struggled to find his place in the world now has a day dedicated to him by the City of Houston. The kid who didn’t think anyone noticed his efforts is now the recipient of several awards from the President, the Governor, mayors, and several members of the United States Congress, among others. Every honor—from the Robert L. Frost Award for my impact on Houston schools to being named the 2023 Inspirational Man of the Year—serves as a reminder that struggles don’t define us; our response to them does.
Why It Matters: The Mission Behind the Accolades
What makes my story so compelling isn’t just the accolades—it’s the mission that drives them. Through the Wise Up to Rise Up Foundation, I have turned my personal pain into a blueprint for empowering others. Serving communities where over 85% of students live below the poverty line—many facing the same challenges I once did, like parental incarceration or domestic violence—the foundation focuses on breaking cycles of adversity. By connecting youth with strong mentors and community leaders, it equips them with the tools to rise above negative influences and build better futures.
For me, the work isn’t just about giving back—it’s about giving these kids something I once longed for: the belief that they matter. That their circumstances don’t define them. That they, too, can rise.
The Resolution: Why This Story Matters
The irony of my journey is what makes it so powerful. The same struggles that once made me feel invisible now fuel my passion for ensuring others are seen. The same sense of hopelessness I once felt has become the driving force behind a mission to spark hope in others. And the very community that shaped my hardships has become the community I am determined to uplift.
My story isn’t just one of personal triumph—it’s a reminder that our greatest challenges often hold the seeds of our greatest purpose. From walking city streets with no clear direction to walking into schools with a Presidential Medal in hand, my journey proves that when we turn pain into purpose, the impact is limitless. The Wise Up to Rise Up Foundation is more than an organization; it’s the embodiment of my belief that no one—no matter where they come from—should feel invisible.
Because if someone like me can rise up, imagine what’s possible for the next generation.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Wise Up to Rise Up Foundation is a nonprofit organization I founded to empower youth in underserved communities by helping them rise above negative influences and discover their full potential. As an inspirational speaker and leader, I am passionate about sparking a passion for learning, fostering ethical leadership, and equipping young visionaries with the tools they need to break cycles of adversity and create brighter futures.
What I Do and Specialize In
I specialize in delivering powerful, motivational speeches and creating transformative programs that inspire young people to see beyond their circumstances and strive for greatness. Through the Wise Up to Rise Up Foundation, I combine leadership development, mentorship, and motivational presentations to help youth build confidence, resilience, and skills to navigate life’s challenges. My work addresses systemic issues like poverty, educational disengagement, and negative social influences by offering meaningful opportunities to grow, learn, and lead.
What Sets Me Apart
What sets me apart is my personal connection to the struggles that many youth face. I’ve walked in their shoes, experiencing hardships like eviction and feeling invisible to the world. This firsthand understanding drives my mission and ensures that my speeches and programs resonate deeply with those I serve. I emphasize mentorship by connecting students with positive role models and leaders who inspire them to dream beyond their current circumstances.
As an inspirational speaker, I’m known for turning pain into purpose and helping others see the potential within themselves. My ability to combine personal stories with actionable strategies makes my presentations impactful and transformative.
What I’m Most Proud Of
I’m incredibly proud of the recognition and partnerships my work has earned. From being honored with the U.S. Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award and Seven U.S. Congressional Awards to receiving proclamations from state governors and city mayors, these accolades reflect the impact I’m making through my foundation and speaking engagements. However, what I’m most proud of is the success of the youth I’ve inspired. Seeing a student earn their first academic award, turn their behavior around, or step into a leadership role fuels my passion and purpose.
What I Want Readers to Know
The Wise Up to Rise Up Foundation is more than just an organization—it’s a movement I created to inspire meaningful change. I want readers to know that I am committed to challenging harmful social norms, fostering a love for learning, and providing young people with the tools they need to succeed. Through my motivational speeches, mentorship programs, and recognition initiatives, I strive to ignite the spark of possibility in every young person I encounter.
My offerings include powerful keynote speeches, leadership development programs, and recognition initiatives like the Annual Upward and Onward Awards for youth who dedicate themselves to positive growth and service. I also connect families with resources and create opportunities for underserved communities to thrive.
At Wise Up to Rise Up, I believe that every young person deserves to feel seen, valued, and empowered to dream big. My foundation and my work as an inspirational speaker are proof that with the right tools, encouragement, and belief, the next generation can achieve the impossible. I invite you to join me in this journey to inspire change, cultivate leadership, and build a brighter future for all.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is empowering the next generation to live lives of purpose, passion, and impact. I believe that the measure of a life isn’t how long it lasts but how deeply it touches others. As the saying goes, “The depth of life is more important than the length of it.” This truth inspires me every day to dedicate my energy to helping the next generation rise above their challenges, see their worth, and embrace their potential to create a brighter future.
The next generation holds incredible power to shape the world, but too often, they feel trapped by circumstances or discouraged by society’s limitations. I know what that feels like because I’ve been there—walking through struggles that made success feel out of reach. But those struggles also taught me that adversity is not the end of the story; it’s the foundation for something greater. That’s why I’ve made it my mission to be a guide and a voice of encouragement for those coming after me.
My greatest passion is helping the next generation see that their lives can be extraordinary, not because of what they own or achieve, but because of the impact they make. I want them to understand that they are capable of living deeply—of pursuing dreams, breaking cycles, and leaving their mark on the world in ways that matter.
This work is not just a job or a goal for me—it’s my purpose. It’s about giving the next generation the tools to overcome obstacles, the vision to dream big, and the courage to live fully. Because when they rise, they don’t just change their own lives—they ignite hope and inspiration for everyone around them. And in doing so, they show us all the beauty of a life lived with depth, meaning, and purpose. That is what drives me, every single day.
Pricing:
- $5,500 – 20-30min Presentation
Contact Info:
- Website: https://WISEUPTORISEUP.COM
Image Credits
WISE UP TO RISE UP FOUNDATION
