Statements

Mission

Our Mission:
Ignite (purpose), Inspire (success) and Transform the lives of African American collegiate students and youth living in underserved communities through Education, Leadership, Health & Wellness.

Our Vision:
"Cultivating future leaders to positively impact their community and the world!"

Our Programs:
Pathway To Success Initiative (P2SI) Leadership Academy
(10 Week Leadership Academy + College Scholarships)

Black Men Run, Brown Boys Read Initiative
(Literacy + Leadership + Health: 2nd to 5th Grade African American/Black Males)

Steps of Success 5K Run/Walk
(Annual Fundraiser - September 14, 2024)

Background

Over a decade has passed, since he walked across the stage as the first in his immediate family to complete the process of obtaining a college degree. To this day, Transformation Life Center CEO, Demetrius Short reflects on how his real-world experience did not come without struggles and obstacles stemming from his matriculation in the early 90's.

While pursuing his undergraduate degree from Fisk University, Demetrius witnessed first-hand the barriers that led to an increase in college student dropout rates. He didn't have a scholarship or transportation, and occasionally found himself with little food -- sleeping between the dorm director's office and the couch of a friend. Despite reaching one of the lowest points in his life, Demetrius refused to quit and become a dropout statistic. He secured internships and walked from campus to downtown Nashville in a business suit carrying a briefcase. In May of 1999, he walked across the stage with his B.S. Degree in Computer Science and Business and a secured dream job with IBM Global Services.

Years later, Demetrius returned to campus to nostalgically walk the same route he no longer had to travel. He's a successful IT Professional and was searching for the "why" to his story. He asked God, "Why did I have to get here this way" and the response was, "Every step you took was a step toward your success." It was at that moment, he conceptualized a God-sized dream, hunger and responsibility to help students overcome their own barriers in life and reach success.

He created the Transformation Life Center and a 5K fundraiser called Steps of Success and vowed to run the 3.1 miles every year in a full suit and sneakers. Proceeds from 5K run/walk provide scholarships to college students to help pay for their tuition and fees and mentoring to students in the areas of personal and professional development. Transformation Life Center celebrates over a decade of creating a Pathway to Success to students in the Nashville community. Corporate partners see the value in all the hard work nurturing and developing students who need support and offer internships and full time job opportunities to our "successors". TLC's vision statement is "Cultivating future leaders to positively impact their community and ultimately the World!"

CEO Statement

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Board Chair Statement

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Service Categories
Primary Category:	Youth Development  - Youth Development Programs
Secondary Category:	Education  - Fund Raising & Fund Distribution
Tertiary Category:	Youth Development  - Youth Centers and Clubs (includes Boys/Girls Clubs)- Multipurpose

Areas Served

TN - Davidson