We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Eric Cleckley a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Eric, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
My mother instilled resilience & dedication in us to persist in all endeavors
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Eric Cleckley was Born and raised in Southeast Washington, DC to Reverend Wanda D Cleckley. His mom instilled faith and prayer into his life early on. He learned at a young age what it meant to be a part of a community that cared about each other and the importance of giving back. Although Eric grew up in a single-parent home and experienced trauma due to losing his dad being killed from gun violence he was able to overcome challenges and use his experiences to make a positive impact in his community. While growing up facing trauma in many forms due to a lack of resources he began to grow a passion for advocating for at risk youth.
In 2021 Eric founded Only The Foundation a non profit focused on changing the lives of at risk youth in under served communities through mentorship, advocacy, community engagement, education, and financial literacy.
The Foundations success is rooted in their ability to connect with people. Eric wants everyone in our communities to know that they have a voice and are value members of society.
That’s why The Foundation was started which serves as an umbrella for many other organizations working toward the same goal: improving the lives of children youth and families here in Washington DC. The Foundations mission is simple: We want everyone in this community to succeed! Sometime You Sometimes Me Always Us Foundation Business!
The Foundations success is rooted in their ability to connect with people. Their focus is on helping those who need everything from mentoring , life coaching, Mediating turbulent situations to securing housing & job opportunities to change the trajectory of young peoples lives . Eric wants everyone in our area to know that they have a voice and are valued members of society.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Patience,Integrity & Faith played a big part in my personal & professional journey. My advice is to realize that where you are now is not the ending story be patient with yourself & understand that life’s a book with many chapters.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
The most impactful thing was my dad was killed when I was 8 & I was blessed with a God parent Mentor that never gave up on me through my struggles always supported me & poured positively into my life. With my mother as well putting me into programs & activities to stimulate my brain and my heart
Contact Info:
- Instagram: The_foundationdc
Image Credits
Only The Foundation
