Our Motivational Speaker

JAJUAN REED

Born and raised in Chicago, IL, I grew up in one of the toughest neighborhoods the city had to offer. The area I called home felt like being on the front lines of a war, where it wasn’t safe to go to school, the store, or even the library. As a child, I remember the confusion I felt when my mom would urge me to go outside to play, only to call me back in as quickly as I was sent out. I used to ask her why, whenever I heard a loud pop, she would rush me inside. She never answered, but as I got older, I realized that what I thought were firecrackers were actually gunshots. That sound had become the norm in my daily existence, which i feel guided my choices and shaped my understanding of what my life supposed to look like. My life, in many ways, had become a product of the circumstances I grew up in.  Before that chapter in my life, I was an athlete—spending countless hours playing football and basketball, with basketball being my passion and dream. I had hopes of playing professionally, but I let my own mistakes and self-imposed barriers stop me from reaching that goal. 

Unfortunately, my path took me down a road of bad choices, some of which I wish I could undo. But life doesn’t offer “do-overs,” and I found myself facing the doors of a Federal Correctional Facility at a young age. My time away was a wake-up call, and I returned home with a new understanding of life and a drive for change.

What I found when I came home was a welcoming embrace from Time To Evolve Coalition (T-TEC). This organization, dedicated to helping men—both young and old—tap into their strength and evolve their lives, provided me with the support and guidance I needed to begin rebuilding. Through T-TEC, my self-worth has been restored, and my mindset has shifted toward positive, constructive change.

I am beyond grateful to be a part of T-TEC, where the mission to rescue and empower individuals is relentless. I encourage others to find ways to help us in our mission to evolve lives and create lasting change in our communities.

Together, we can all make a difference.