RLE GO FORE IT FOUNDATION

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RLE Go Fore It! Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit organization named in honor of the Son, Brother, Husband, Father, Grandfather, and friend Ronald Lee Everett. Ronald Everett was my father. Together, he and my mother Carrie Everett gave me the best inheritance parents could give a child. Together they gave me life, they both invested their time in me and blessed me with the gift of their life experiences and wisdom. For that, I am forever grateful. While I take my temperament and overall demeanor among many other things from my mother, I share my father’s love of sports, desire to learn how to do it myself, and a variety of sayings and mannerisms from my dad. 

In October 2014, the Lord told my father, "well done my good and faithful servant", and brought him home to rest. As painful as it is to no longer have him with me physically to talk to, and ask questions, he is certainly still with me daily. From the many great memories and thoughts I have to the things I say and the Motown music I enjoy, my father lives on through me every day. Now, I get to share a few of those experiences with you through my writings. 

I was one of the many lucky ones to have my father be actively involved in my life, and a part of my life into adulthood. While an NYC bus driver by trade, without experience, he stepped in and was my Cub Scout Scout Master when the position was vacated and needed someone to step up and run the pack. He was my little league baseball coach, my intermural basketball coach, a painter, and overall handyman for both my sister and me, and my first and closest role model. While not a football guy until I pleaded my case for him to let me play in the 6th grade, he and my mother were my two biggest fans and supporters, he was also my in-home training partner, spotting me as I weight trained in the garage, and doing ball drills with me when I came home for the summer after my freshmen year in college. Whether it was to see me run track, play baseball, basketball, football, or as a young adult playing in charity football tournaments, no matter what the endeavor, my dad logged thousands of miles in his yellow Cadillac, that my friends dubbed the banana boat, to support me. So much so, that many of my college teammates thought he was a graduate of NCCU based on his attendance at every game, fully decked out in an NCCU hat and shirt or sweatshirt, depending on the weather. 

I can say it now, although I regret that I never told him before it was too late, but as a kid growing up, I never appreciated his continuous presence with camera in tow as much as I do now as a father myself and looking forward to doing the same for my children. I share this because it is important that his story, and stories like his are told. To often, we hear a different narrative about our dads, but his is that of a dad that was hands-on, involved, cared, loved, and was loved. He was a dad’s dad; a little abrasive when needed, but always more than ready for a good belly laugh or for the opportunity to celebrate his children.