Meet Fred Griffin Jr

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Fred Griffin Jr. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Fred below.

Fred, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

There have been many moments in my life where I walked into a room, looked around, and realized I was the only one who looked like me. Early on, that feeling was heavy. It made me wonder if I belonged, if my voice would be heard, or if my perspective would matter. But over time, those moments became the training ground for some of my most important qualities—confidence, resilience, and the ability to stand tall in any setting.

I didn’t develop those skills overnight. They were shaped through small, defining experiences. I learned to observe before speaking, not out of fear, but out of strategy, understanding the room, the dynamics, and the needs. I learned to ground myself in my identity, to recognize that being different wasn’t a disadvantage but a unique advantage. It meant I brought something no one else could offer: a different lived experience, a different lens, a different story.
There were times I was underestimated. Times when my contributions were questioned before they were considered. But instead of shrinking back, I used those moments to sharpen my discipline and polish my voice. I learned to be prepared, over-prepared, even because excellence is a language everyone understands. I learned to speak with purpose, knowing that when I showed up confident and informed, I didn’t just take up space… I added value.

One of the most important habits I built was the ability to stay rooted in why I was in the room in the first place. Whether it was to advocate, to lead, to provide insight, or to open a door for someone who would come after me, that purpose gave me the strength to stay focused even when I felt alone.
Eventually, I realized that being the “only one” didn’t just challenge me—it refined me. It forced me to grow qualities like emotional intelligence, adaptability, courage, and leadership. It taught me how to carry myself with dignity in difficult environments and how to open doors wider so the next person wouldn’t have to walk in alone.

Now, when I step into a room where I am the only one who looks like me, I don’t see isolation—I see opportunity. Opportunity to represent. Opportunity to shift
perspectives. Opportunity to prove that belonging isn’t about blending in; it’s about showing up as your true self, ready to contribute, ready to excel.
And that’s how I’ve learned to be effective and successful in those spaces: by embracing who I am, honoring where I come from, and remembering that sometimes being the only one in the room means you are exactly the one who is needed.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

When people ask me what I do, I often say I’m an entrepreneur and community advocate. But the truth is, my work is simply an extension of who I am. I grew up understanding what it felt like to need support, to search for guidance, and to want someone to believe in you. Those early experiences shaped my heart long before they ever shaped my career.

Where My Passion Comes From
I didn’t wake up one day and decide to be a community advocate, it came from living through moments where I wished someone had shown up for me. I know what it feels like to face challenges quietly, to be strong because you have no choice, and to be the one others depend on even when you’re still figuring things out yourself. Those experiences taught me empathy. They taught me how to listen, how to show up consistently, and how to make people feel seen and valued. That became the foundation of everything I do.

What I Do Today
Today, I’m focused on building programs and partnerships that meet people where they are—whether it’s families looking for resources, young people who need positive direction, or communities in need of stronger support systems.
I work on projects that directly connect people to the help they need, and I’m hands-on in every sense. I’m not the type to sit behind a desk and send instructions. I’m in the community, talking to parents, encouraging young men, and building real relationships.

As an entrepreneur, I bring that same energy into business: solutions, purpose, and impact. Every idea I pursue is tied to service. Every initiative has a face and a story behind it.

What Makes This Work Special to Me
What makes this journey meaningful is that it’s personal. I’ve been the kid who needed guidance. I’ve been the adult trying to figure out how to navigate life. I’ve been the one helping family and community in the middle of crisis.
So now, when I’m able to be a support for someone else when I can open a door, make a connection, or help them see their worth that hits home for me. That’s not business. That’s purpose.

What’s New and What’s Next
Right now, I’m expanding my outreach in Central Florida with workshops, resource programs, mentorship opportunities, and new community partnerships. I’m also stepping deeper into speaking and storytelling, because I’ve learned that sometimes our experiences help others heal, grow, and find direction.
I want to build spaces where people feel safe, seen, and supported—places where they don’t have to pretend to be strong, because strength is something we can build together.

What I Want Readers to Know
If there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s that your story is your strength. Everything I do every program, every project, every act of service is rooted in my own journey. My brand isn’t just a business… it’s a reflection of my heart.
I want people to know that I’m here to serve, not just to be seen. I’m here to bridge gaps, not just talk about them. And I’m here to make sure that the next person doesn’t have to walk their journey alone.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

1. Resilience: Learning to Stand When Life Tried to Fold Me
Resilience became part of me during moments I didn’t know I’d survive. I remember early in my career, walking into boardrooms and meetings where I was the only one who looked like me. At first, it was intimidating. I questioned whether I belonged or if my voice would matter. But over time, I learned to prepare meticulously, trust my perspective, and keep showing up, even when it felt lonely.
Resilience also came through personal challenges navigating financial uncertainty, balancing family responsibilities, and finding my footing in entrepreneurship. Every time I faced a setback, I chose to rise again, not because it was easy, but because I couldn’t accept giving up.

Advice:
The struggles you face are the foundation of your strength. When life feels heavy, keep showing up. Each time you rise, you prove to yourself that you are stronger than the challenges in front of you.

2. Compassion: Seeing People Because I Know What It Feels Like to Be Overlooked
I learned compassion the hard way. Growing up, I saw families in my neighborhood struggling quietly, kids falling through the cracks, and people overlooked simply because they didn’t have a platform to be seen. I knew what it felt like to need someone to advocate for you, to believe in you when you were still learning to believe in yourself.
That understanding became the heartbeat of my work. Whether mentoring young men who need guidance, helping families navigate difficult seasons, or leading community programs, I show up fully present. I’ve learned that listening without judgment and giving people space to be seen is one of the most powerful gifts you can offer.

Advice:
Practice empathy daily. Ask people about their story, listen closely, and act in ways that lift others. Compassion is the bridge that connects talent to opportunity, and people will remember how you made them feel long after they forget what you said.

3. Purpose: Letting God and Experience Guide the Path
Purpose revealed itself slowly. There were times I didn’t know why I was in certain rooms, why I faced certain struggles, or why I had to fight so hard to make progress. But each moment—every closed door, every long day, every victory—was a piece of the bigger picture.
When I realized my calling was to serve, advocate, and create spaces for others to succeed, my work took on meaning beyond personal ambition. Now, every decision I make as an entrepreneur and advocate is guided by that purpose. Purpose gives me clarity when the path feels uncertain and courage when the challenges feel overwhelming.

Advice:
Don’t rush finding your purpose—it often comes through the experiences that stretch you. Stay curious, pay attention to the moments that move you, and trust that your journey is shaping you for something bigger than you.
If I could share one thing with someone starting out, it would be this:

Focus on building the person you want to become, not just the career or business you want to have.
Resilience, compassion, and purpose don’t come from a textbook—they come from showing up, facing challenges head-on, and using your experiences to help others. That’s the lesson my life has taught me: when you strengthen your character, your impact will follow

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

When I feel overwhelmed, I take a step back and breathe, then break everything into small, manageable steps. I prioritize what matters most, lean on my support system for perspective, and reconnect with my purpose remembering why I started. I also make time for self-care, because you can’t serve others effectively if you’re running on empty. My advice: acknowledge the overwhelm, focus on what you can control, and keep your “why” in front of you, it makes all the difference.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Touchingheartsllc.org
• Facebook: Www.
• Linkedin: Fred Griffin Jr

Image Credits

Fred Griffin Jr