The Emergence of Go Fore It!

While born in Queens, NY, I completed the 6th grade through high school in Goldsboro, NC. Back then, we did not have a word to describe it, but growing up in Eastern NC, I learned to deal with my share of microaggressions. I had two instances that stand out to me the most. The first was being kicked out of my 6th grade Spanish class for not addressing the teacher as “yes sir” or “no sir”; rather, I would simply respond to him saying “yes” or “no” which he found to be disrespectful. The second was in the 10th grade, getting cut from the JV baseball team after starting every game the previous season. When asked why the coach told my father, the only thing that I and my friend who was also cut and the only other black player trying out, could do better than the other kids was run; maybe we should do track. These, and other experiences growing up have contributed greatly to the person I became and how I engaged with people. However, I still went on to enjoy an exciting high school career as a student-athlete playing football, basketball, baseball, and yes I did do track and field. My passion was for the game of football which I excelled at and earned a scholarship to North Carolina Central University. After a redshirt freshmen year, I played four years of football for NCCU, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. 

I was blessed with two wonderful parents, Ronald and Carrie Everett, and an older sister Karen Everett. My father was my first and closest role model of what it meant to be a dad, a man, and a competitor. My mother was, and still is my biggest supporter; the nudge that keeps me striving to make her proud, and the compassionate calm voice that is always right on time. My sister made sure I was exposed to many different opportunities, foods, cultures, and experiences. My sister was the first in my immediate family to graduate college, shout out to Hofstra University. She laid the foundation and blazed the trail for me attending college, and finding success in corporate America; she has also been a big factor for me staying on track over the years. 

The statement, "it takes a village", certainly applies to me and my life. It started with our church families in New York, and North Carolina that took an interest in me, and made sure that I was “staying out of trouble”. My Boy Scouts of America, Scout Master Mr. Britt that gave me my first leadership opportunities, helped me to understand the value that each person brings to a team, and worked with me to earn my Eagle Scout award. My high school football Coach Jackson spent hours with me in the media center helping me to create my football highlight tape to send to colleges. My dad’s dentist, Doctor Stovall that helped make sure that tape was seen by the NCCU coaching staff. There was also Coach James, who was the coach of our cross-town rival high school. Coach James made time to train me at 6:00 every morning in the off-season, helped me to learn a new position, and was instrumental in me earning a scholarship renewal. I have also had great professional mentors, sponsors, and leaders that have helped me over my 20+ year banking career. My village is vast, meaningful, and growing. I am grateful to each of you, more than you will ever know. 

Today, I am blessed to be happily married to my extremely supportive, encouraging, and caring wife, Kimberly. Together we have a two beautiful, healthy little girls, and I have an intelligent, handsome son. I am driven to make my family proud of their father, husband, son, and brother; I am driven to follow the example set for me by my father. My passion, my purpose is to be a part of other people’s village; specifically, to help create experiences and opportunities for young black and brown children. I know firsthand how meaningful, and life-altering exposure and opportunity can be. 

I started RLE Impel Productions, LLC, and the Go Fore It! brand to bring my passion and purpose to life. I want to provide the type of content I want my children to read, watch on TV and see at the movies. In addition, I hope my writing will inspire more of you, and your children to meet me on the links. Golf is a tremendous sport that offers numerous opportunities for recreation, education, networking, and careers that our children need to be exposed to. Get out and Go Fore It!