By Briana Aguilar
NCCU staff writer
the Durham VOICE
thedurhamvoice@gmail.com
Malcolm Reed came to Durham in 2006 with a vision to help at-risk youth. He has helped 107 children get into college through his non-profit organization D3 Community Outreach, Inc.
Members of the Hayti Summer Basketball League pose for a fundraising photo. (Photo courtesy of Malcolm Reed)
“My desire to act and to make a difference shifted from wanting to just give back to my childhood community in New Jersey, to wanting to help the disadvantaged youth in the community where I currently resided, Durham, North Carolina, and eventually nationally,” said Reed.
In 2006, Reed expressed his ideas to his close friend Donnie Clyburn and together they exchanged ideas and came up with the name for his non-profit organization, D3 Community Outreach.
D3 represents Reed’s personal motto “Desire Determines Development.”
Reed, who played for the Philadelphia 76ers, the Harlem Globetrotters, and for professional basketball teams in France and Germany, began to realize over the years that he wasn’t the only person who had been through struggles and come out successfully.
He credits his involvement in youth sport programs as the outlet that provided him with a place to release negativity.
Reed started creating programs to develop leadership skills and self-confidence so youth can take advantage of opportunities presented to them. The programs are offered at the John Avery Boys & Girls Club, public libraries, and other Durham locations that will donate space. Professionals recruited from the community volunteer their time and expertise to lead the mentoring workshops.
D3 has four core programs: The Annual Hayti Basketball League, The C.E.O (Cultivating Every Opportunity) Institute, The T.R.U. (Together Reaching Unity Mentoring Program), and the Shining Star Academy with a GED program. All but the basketball league are year-round programs.
The first program he created was the Hayti Basketball Summer League (no association to Hayti Heritage Center) for at-risk youth in Durham. The Hayti Basketball Summer League offers educational, leadership and advancement opportunities to males 14-18 who have been associated with gangs, along with youth from low-income areas, and youth who are considered “at-risk.”
The league has around 150 participants each year. Of those participants 50 are picked based on character and commitment to attend the Youth Empowerment and College Tour Trip.
The goal of this trip is to enhance the youths’ skills which can lead to healthy decision making, and ultimately create a healthier community. This year, the tour will travel to New Jersey to visit Rutgers University, Oceans Community College and Monmouth University.
The C.E.O Institute promotes the improvement of life and leadership skills in at-risk youth by helping five males and five females gain the necessary tools to understanding and succeeding in life.
The C.E.O Institute has workshops that prepare young adults for the challenges of adolescence and adulthood, along with activities to help each individual socially, cognitively and morally.
The T.R.U. mentoring program was designed to impact the lives of males and females ages 5-18 by providing adult guidance and support, giving them learning opportunities that promote life skills, life-enhancing values, and character development.
The Shining Star Academy helps students focus on life skills in order to be successful. The program is composed into two component Life Skill Seminars and GED classes. The academy consists of male and female students from 16-19 who have dropped out of high school.
Participants are selected on a first come, first serve basis and largely come from word of mouth referrals.
Through these programs, D3 wants to remain true to their mission “to foster a healthier community by developing a healthier child.”
Up to this point, funding has come mainly from Reed himself and partners. This year, however, they plan to do hold three fundraising events: the Holiday Classic, Annual Gala, and the Annual Charity Basketball Tournament.
The First Annual Gala will be April 16 at the Durham Armory, 212 Foster St. Tickets are $25 and the money raised will go towards the Youth Empowerment Trip. This will be a formal event. For more information contact Malcom Reed at 919-827-5959 or email him at info@d3communityoutreach.org.
Follow D3 on Twitter @D3 Comm-Outreach and on Facebook D3 Community Outreach, Inc.
Weblinks: www.d3communityoutreach.org.
Frank Stasio also interviewed him on The State of Things. Here’s that link if you want it: http://wunc.org/tsot/archive/SOT_011110.mp3/view