Meet Darion and Varion Walton of Walton Inspires in Pleasant Grove

Today we’d like to introduce you to Darion and Varion Walton.

Darion and Varion Walton received their Master Degree’s in Business Administration at 22 years old. As Chief Financial Officer and Chief Executive Officer of their non-profit, Walton Inspires, they have dedicated over ten years of experience as educators, mentors and advisors at the Grade School, Community College and University levels.

Darion is a hybrid educator in Dallas County. He serves as a Certified Teacher and Internship Coordinator for the Academy of Information Technology for Dallas Independent School District, Professor of Business for Dallas County Community College District, Master Trainer in Educational Mobil Computing for Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Microsoft Innovative Educator.

Varion received his License in Skilled Nursing Administration in 2016. He has served in various roles including Assistant Administrator, Interim Administrator, Business Office Manager and Director of Business Services. He now serves as a Private Insurance Consultant. His experience includes four years in Health Care Management and over six years in non-profit/business administration.

Driven by their desire to help others, they decided to create their non-profit after realizing that for some reason education isn’t number 1 on our politician’s agenda. As first generation, low-income students themselves, the twins strive to show next-generation students that anyone can succeed when they apply themselves and rise above negative influences.

As a teacher, Darion knows that achieving the mantle of “great” requires a passion for the profession beyond anything tied to financial reward or recognition. “After all, teaching is tough work that requires plenty of diligence, long hours, and ongoing education”, Darion. He is motivated by the idea that teachers have real and unique positioning inside and outside of the classroom to improve students’ lives.

Varion possesses a considerable amount of knowledge regarding Skilled Nursing Administrative procedures and shared, “It has been my lifelong passion to provide resident-centered care and improve the way that we take care of our elderly”.

Through grant writing, they have been awarded over $15,000 in grants. Additionally, they have coached the Dallas ISD STEM Expo, FLL Robotics Qualifier, and FLL Mini Workshop and Scrimmage. Walton Inspires has facilitated numerous workshops including Blackboard Collaborate, Google Classroom, Green Screen Technology, Educational Mobile Computing, Rise Up and Walk, The Inside Scoop – A Transparent Look Into the College Experience and countless College and Career Workshops. Over the past year, Walton Inspires has had the opportunity to present both nationally and internationally (Mexico, 2018).

Through all of this, the twins yet found the time to commit over 300 service hours to the community.

Their partnerships with school programs cross-collaboration with other subjects, commitment to learning and dedication to community and student success is of the highest caliber.

The 25-year-olds shared common challenges while growing up in a low-income, single-parent home in East Texas. Throughout their life, they struggled with asthma and poverty. At a young age, they committed to building a better future for themselves through studies and hard work. Since then, they have been working toward that goal. Darion and Varion were the first in their family to obtain a 4 year degree, start a business and travel internationally.

Please tell us about Walton Inspires.
Walton Inspires, a 501(c) (3) non-profit corporation is committed to Changing Perspectives. Changing Lives.

The Walton Twins social media accounts combined reach an estimated audience of 25 thousand people. The twins use these platforms to engage and empower the youth and young adults to change their perspectives and change their lives.

Walton Inspires’ is committed to increasing college access through the dissemination of ideas, development of practices, and technical assistance for program implementation that creates or enhances a career centered and/or college-going culture.  High schools that invest in the creation of this type of educational environment intentionally seek to remove barriers that prevent all students from pursuing postsecondary education and training.

The Walton Twins consistent innovation has garnished national attention and has been featured in national publications such as the Rickey Smiley Morning Show, Dallas Morning News, Michael Baisden, The HUB Dallas, The Dallas Examiner, and USA Today.

Walton Inspires was founded in 2015, by two brothers who understood the importance of making solid connections with young people. They recognized that young people were at their best when their voices were centered and they felt fully supported. With those foundational elements in place, the youth they mentored thrived; graduating from high school on time, going off to college, and staying in college once they got there.

As a result of their success, Walton Inspires has become a leader for mentor training and specializes in the culturally relevant and critical application of mentoring and youth development. They help mentoring and youth development organizations be more effective in working with marginalized youth populations like LGBTQ, Black and Latino, Immigrant, and low-income youth.

In addition, Walton Inspires provides professional, career-oriented higher education, career preparation skills, and technical experience to individuals from diverse backgrounds. They proudly offer access and opportunity to motivated individuals who desire to enrich their lives in a personalized and supportive environment. They provide caring and effective teaching and mentoring and engage staff who are passionate, knowledgeable, and dedicated to student achievement. They build on these strengths to prepare students for successful careers, advanced education, and lifelong learning.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Faith, family, focus, and resilience.

These four characteristics encompass the ability to overcome adversity and adjust positively to a new life.