We had the good fortune of connecting with Shadora L. Ford and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shadora L., every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
Destined for Greatness Mentoring & Community Resource Center came about because of the lack of resources available for black girls who live in the inner city of Detroit. I was once an at-risk youth in need of the support services, space, and mentorship that DFG Mentoring provides today. I also grew up around so many single moms and families who lived under the poverty lines and lacked the resources that the DFG Community Resource Center provides. I always thought it would take someone rich to help, but I never thought God could use little old me for this work. It all started with one at-risk teenage girl who became a success story in 2010. I was just 19 years old, mentoring someone only three years younger than me; then, I founded Destined for Greatness Mentoring Initiative to reach girls 11-21 with academic and behavioral issues. I have now mentored over 15,000 girls in Detroit, with chapters of DFG in two other states.

What should our readers know about your business?

Destined for Greatness, Mentoring Initiative is a 501C3 nonprofit that I founded in June 2010 to be a lighthouse for youth, precisely at that time for girls 11-21. Since 2010, we have grown in number and in services. We offer youth workforce development training, conflict resolution training, and summer employment for boys & girls 14-24. The mission of DFG Mentoring is still the same: to educate, motivate, and empower youth to rise above the negatives and reach higher for the positives that make Destined for Greatness!

Destined for Greatness Community Resource Center is a 501C3 nonprofit I founded in 2016 to help the families of the youth in our mentoring programs. To help a girl truly, you must help those in the household. Some moms would explain the need for sanitary napkins and diaper assistance. Some households didn’t have food or clean clothing for school, which contributed to in-school bullying, fights, and depression. DFG Cares was a thought that one day became a thing. Since opening our doors to everyone in Detroit, we have served over 10,500 families and individuals. Our youngest client is 0, and the oldest is 102, and we deliver whatever essential items she requests. DFG Cares provides diapers, wipes, infant formula, fresh food, produce, hygiene kits, sanitary napkins, adult incontinence, new/ gently used clothing, and accessories for all at No cost to the community!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Welcome to Detroit! Our first stop is MaryBelles Cache, which has good food and great vibes. Mary Belles is a unique black-owned restaurant located downtown in the city’s heart, referred to by the natives as the Eastern Market. The food is good. The cat daddy is my favorite. It’s the catfish, shrimp, and grits entree. We are amongst the good companies in the Eastern market. You have fantastic shopping experiences, food vendors, and landmarks to see. You are in the motor city home of the big three, so if it’s January, we are visiting the Auto show. We are home to the Temptation, and the best Motown singers came from this city, so we have to stop at the Motown museum on w. Grand Blvd, renamed after its founder, Berry Gordy Jr. Bring your gym shoes because we are going to the game. We have one of the best football teams, and yes, I’m a big Lions fan. We hang out on Jefferson at IVY’s Kitchen & Cocktails and then downtown amongst the bright lights and campus Martius Park, where we can ice skate, get a warm cup of cocoa, and take selfies on cities photo both machines. After working up an appetite, we can stop by one of Detroit’s notorious Coney Islands for chili cheese fries and a coney dog. Lol. Suppose it’s the 3rd Thursday of the month. In that case, we need about 2 hours of your time to go to the Samaritan Center at 5555 Conner St. We are committed to Destined for Greatness essential items and diaper giveaways in partnership with the Metropolitan Detroit Diaper Bank. We will serve at least 250 low-income families and senior citizens. The fun doesn’t stop there; we have plenty of live music and local artist spaces to attend, as well as church on Sunday!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I grew up in the City of Detroit, and I have always loved the people in my city for the support and love they give. My biggest inspiration comes from my mother. Growing up in a single-parent household wasn’t easy; it came with many feelings of rejection and unanswered questions. There were times I cried myself to sleep, wondering if I would ever be successful given that the cards were stacked against me and statistics had already counted me out. Many said I would be a teen mom, in jail like my father, and even worse. I believe it is because of a supportive, nurturing mother and God guiding her in raising me that the same girl counted out is now counted on!

Website: www.dfgdetroit.org

Instagram: dfg_detroit

Linkedin: Shadora L. Ford

Twitter: @dfgdetroit

Facebook: Shadora L. Ford

Youtube: Destined For Greatness Mentoring

Image Credits
All rights reserved to Destined for Greatness!

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