Meet Avrell Stokes

Today we’d like to introduce you to Avrell Stokes.

Avrell, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am originally from Clinton, Mississippi, which is near the state capital of Jackson, Mississippi. I went to the University of Southern Mississippi, where I received my Master’s Degree in Public Health. I worked at a large hospital system where I supported the implementation of various policies at hospital clinics. During that time, I also traveled through Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana with a small camera crew documenting issues of poverty. We would post YouTube videos of the footage and advocate for various resources needed throughout the community.

Afterward, I really wanted to get a broader experience outside of my home state so I ended up coming to Kansas City, Missouri to do healthcare IT consulting. I would fly to different hospitals around the nation implementing various healthcare systems for them.

From there, I went into the nonprofit sector to be more deeply connected to the community. I developed a leadership and civic engagement program for youth in grades 9-12, ran those programs with the public school system, and did volunteer work throughout the community, as well. For a few years now, I have worked with a group of people on an effort that we call Block to Block. We walk the streets throughout communities during the weekend, at night, during times that statistically speaking, most violent crime happens. We spend that time connecting with people and really working to figure out how we can best support getting people the resources that they need. Lack of resources and investment is what has really driven community trauma and violence for decades. I have seen amazing efforts in Black and Latino schools and communities come and go because of a lack of investment and lack of support networks. That’s what brought me to where I am today, with the nonprofit BeGreat Together.

At our partner company, Assemble, we have a group of like-minded individuals who are all involved in building the communities around us in various ways and we will be continuing to have an even deeper impact, promote, and support future and current changemakers through BeGreat Together. There is a deficit in funding to K-12 public schools with predominantly minority student enrollment. There is a deficit to funding that goes to Black and Latino-led efforts or organizations. Even when those efforts are in their own communities, Black and Latino-led organizational investments trail their white counterparts by at least 76%. There is also a deficit framework in how narratives are shaped towards these communities. We are joining and innovating in the longstanding movement to change that.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I wouldn’t say that the road has been smooth, but we have had partners who have come along and believe in the vision of what we are doing. Honestly, I think that in itself has provided us with even more motivation to ensure that other Black and Latino communities have access to the resources and supports needed to sustain and grow their vision and impact, as well. The same goes for schools. KCPS has been a phenomenal partner to kickoff with and many of their staff have been reaching out with interest in what we are doing. Youth are often vulnerable to circumstances much more outside of their control so having individuals come along to create or sustain efforts to support them continues to be encouraging for the future we hope to see.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I think what I am most proud of is that I have often found ways to problem solve using a culmination of past experience. When I supported hospitals and clinics in Mississippi about ten years ago, I was able to take a combination of lessons learned from my professional mentor, who was the chief operating officer at the time, along with lessons learned from people I would connect with throughout the community during weekend poverty outreach efforts. This allowed me to envision how better patient care could look in the future. These lessons transitioned into my next role as a healthcare IT consultant and surprisingly played a key role in my passion and efforts towards community investment and improvement as a whole. I learned tools of collaboration, leadership, influence, and support. From the corporate sector to the nonprofit sector, working with youth, schools, and the community at-large around various issues, I have had the invaluable opportunity of being a student to learning how to serve from just about any level of corporate professionalism to grassroots community. I believe my ability to put my unique experiences into strategies and actions that uplift others sets me apart.

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
My favorite childhood memory was taking walks in the woods. I remember the sound of leaves crackling under each step, woodpeckers pecking, and the random streams of sunlight that hit the ground casting unique shapes and shadows. I think those memories are so profound now because a walk in the woods and taking notice of leaves and steams of sunlight take a lot more intentionality than it once did.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: BeGreatTogether to 44-321 to donate
• Website: www.bgtogether.org
• Twitter: @BGTogether_
• Instagram: BeGreatTogether_
• Other: www.assemble.fyi

Image Credits:
Gathering of Hearts Assemble Team Chuong Doan