Success isn’t a destination but a journey.

S. Mcknight (original participant Boys of Distinction)

Inspirational is an understatement. Bruce Boyd has impacted the lives of hundreds of youth. His mission is to change the lives of as many young people as possible. He is the reason why I am who I am today. This story begins for me in fifth grade at PJ Hill Elementary School. In pops this random guy telling 25 boys how he going to turn us into somebody someday. It was easy for him as we all saw our environment and didn’t believe in him. He doesn’t quit, he persists and eventually we start to see what he was talking about. He wasn’t just some random man after all. His words actually meant something. I can’t recount the many times he’s cried in front of us, laughed with us and even tried to beat us when we were doing wrong. He knew many of us didn’t have fathers around and he took it upon himself to become that father figure to over 40 unfamiliar students in fifth grade.

I really didn’t know my dad growing up, so for me he actually was like a my dad. I still consider him that today. He exposed us to many places outside of our neighborhoods. I believe if I never meet Mr. Boyd, I would be a completely different person. Because of him, I was given the hope to continue school, to chase my dreams, go to college.

I never thought in my life that I would be the one to help others. Now I’m the one teaching, encouraging and inspiring children to be everything they want. It is because of what he instilled in me at an early age. All the lessons he taught me I apply to my life and I landed a job making 100k/yr. I never thought I hear myself say anything along those lines, but here I am. I want to thank you for putting me on the path to that. Thanks for everything!