The Founder’s Story
I was born and raised in Fort Lauderdale, Florida—the oldest of four kids, and
like many, I grew up learning how to survive in a world that didn’t always play fair. My journey hasn’t been smooth, but it’s real. The streets taught me lessons I’ll never forget, and life kept handing me obstacles that could’ve easily broken me.
I’ve been a single father. I’ve experienced homelessness. But even in the
struggle, I’ve always had a gift—a natural ability to figure things out, to create
something out of nothing.
That survival instinct turned into an entrepreneurial spirit. Since 2009, I’ve been
finding ways to build something meaningful out of every opportunity. I launched
my first official business in 2013—an online consignment store that my wife and I
ran for five years. In 2017, I opened a barbecue restaurant that served more than
food—it was about community. COVID-19 took a toll and forced us to close, but it
didn’t end the dream. I tried to launch my nonprofit soon after, but without a team,
it stayed an idea on paper.
In 2022, I opened a mechanic shop, and that’s where I’ve been grinding ever
since. But my real heartbeat has always been for our youth. I know what it’s like
to grow up without direction, without resources, and without someone who
believes in you. That’s why I started Building S.T.A.R.S.—to give the next
generation the tools, the mindset, and the support I had to figure out on my own.
I don’t have a cookie-cutter story, and that’s the point. My life is about turning
pain into purpose, and hustle into healing—for myself and for others. I’m here to
build, to teach, and most of all, to give.
Our Mission & Vision
We envision:
- A thriving campus with a working farm, a tiny home village for hands-on trades education, and a learning center where youth explore their purpose.
- A program that mentors hundreds of students each year, preparing them to be productive, self-sufficient, and resilient.
- Partnerships with local businesses, churches, and professionals who invest time, expertise, and resources into shaping the next generation.
- A national model that can be replicated in other communities, proving that when you plant into the lives of children, they grow into stars.
Through a hands-on, values-based approach, we expose our members to real world issues and equip them with tools to succeed—academically, professionally, and personally. Our programs provide education in financial literacy, career exploration, problem-solving, and practical skills such as manners, morals, work ethics, and decision-making.
Our goal is to mentor future leaders who are not only equipped to cope with life but are also prepared to thrive, contribute meaningfully to their communities, and confidently pursue the careers they choose.
Because investing in them is investing in our future.
Meet The
Team
Frequently Asked Questions
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It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable the a content of a page when looking at its layout. Many desktop publishing packages and web page editors.
It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable the a content of a page when looking at its layout. Many desktop publishing packages and web page editors.
It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable the a content of a page when looking at its layout. Many desktop publishing packages and web page editors.
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Charity is the voluntary act of giving help, typically in the form of money, time, or resources, to those in need. Charitable organizations aim to solve social, environmental, and economic challenges by addressing issues like poverty
