People: Rashad Walker

I have had the pleasure of knowing Rashad Walker for many years we have been friends ever since our colligate days at Rider U. He is someone who exemplifies a ROX. He has already impacted his own community in Trenton, NJ so its time to let the world know what this man is about.

Why are you inspring?

 I would say I'm inspiring because I'm a modern day Renaissance Man. I think at first glance no one would assume or expect me to be as involved as I am, but I like that! No one expects a counselor to host parties, or someone who hosts parties to write and direct plays or publish poetry, or an activist to be stylish.

What is your favorite food?

That's a tie between Soul Food and McDonalds.

When did you realize your purpose in life?

 I've known since high school that I wanted to help people, but it wasn't until I started graduate school that I was to able figure out what type of people I wanted to help and how I would help them. I came to the conclusion then that my purpose was to help at-risk youth, not only by counseling them, but allowing my writing to serve means to inspiring them as well.

What is your favorite song?

 This is an extremely difficult question. I'm going to say my favorite song at the moment is Lauryn Hill's "The Miseducation." There's a line on that song that goes "I look at my environment and wonder where the fire went, what happened to everything we used to be." I feel that very same way.

What was the hardest thing you have ever had to do?

 Right after graduate school I took a job as counselor at this one college and after a year I had decided I needed to move on because I was making an hour commute for no pay really. I literally cried in my office on my last day there, knowing that I was leaving behind students whom I worked very closely with.

What is your favorite thing to wear?

 Shoes/sneaker and frames/sunglasses. I feel as though the outfit is irrelevant; as long as ppl are focused on your face (frames) and your feet (shoes/sneakers) then everything is good.

What Legacy do you want to leave?

I want to leave a legacy similar to that W.E.B. Dubois or at least die trying; unlocking minds and helping transform lives. One of my mentees always reminds me "you might not change the world, but you might spark the mind that will."