Foster Nest Change Agent Spotlight: Derrius Quarles
Posted 2/26/2020 by Foster Nest in Our Stories
Born and bred on the south-side of Chicago, Derrius marched through 13 years of foster care after losing his father to violence and being separated from his mother to become a first-generation cum laude graduate of Morehouse College, securing over $1 Million in scholarships before leaving high school. A social entrepreneur, web designer, keynote speaker, and author; he is unapologetic about using technology and business to improve Black Lives. His first book, Million Dollar Scholar: Winning The Scholarship Race has assisted thousands of students across the globe increase their knowledge of how to make higher education more affordable through scholarships and grants and his business ventures have collectively impacted the lives of over 15,000 marginalized youth in America.
He is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of BREAUX Capital – a fintech company that is helping the 70% of Black millennials (starting with Black men) who would not be able to afford a $1,000 financial emergency enhance their financial health through a powerful combination of software that automates savings behavior and education through a peer community.
A driving force behind Derrius’ inspiration is a humbling honor he received from Harry Belafonte at The Common Ground Gala hosted by musician and actor, Common in 2012. Mr. Belafonte said to the audience that “Derrius is the dream Dr. King and I as well as so many others fought for...” Derrius now carries the torch that will touch many lives along his journey.
In 2015, he was honored by Barack Obama at the White House for his activism in expanding educational access and his work has been highlighted by The Associated Press, Black Enterprise, Huffington Post, CNN, MTV, Time Magazine, and BET amongst others.
Foster Nest recently spoke to Derrius on being a change agent and to share his story about navigating life to not let growing up In foster care define his "Who I Am” to inspire others. See what this inspiring man had to say below.
What is your favorite quote?
I once asked my grandmother, “Granny, what would you like to see me do with my life?” and she replied, “Do good!” My grandmother was a woman of few words but when she spoke, she spoke. That is a personal quote that I take with me in all things I have involvement in.
Tell me about yourself, personally and professionally?
I take very little for granted. Almost everyday I practice thankfulness for both life and the intangible things that I have been able to manifest into my life – love, greater inner peace, greater self-worth, greater self-confidence.
I grew up on Chicago’s south-side in the Bronzeville and Gresham neighborhoods. 79th Street was where I would often catch the bus in the morning as a teenager – it taught me how to be keen of my surroundings. 51st Street, which was right next to my high school taught me how to be organized with my time. The insightful experiences I had walking these streets were the ones that showed me I did not have to follow the path others set for me – I could create my own.
And that is exactly what I did.
What do you want to share about your story to inspire others?
At 16 years old I began living on my own in the Illinois Child Welfare system. What I learned during that experience is that the best person to make decisions about the lives of foster youth is the foster youth themselves. My 13 years in foster care presented so many examples of being disempowered and silenced. It taught me that I cannot count on others to advocate on behalf – we have to ready and willing to advocate for ourselves.
What advice would you give your younger self or an adolescent in the childcare system?
I would tell my younger self "you are on a path of self discovery. A path to unearth that which was buried within you during your childhood experience. Be okay with the amount of twist, turns, and failures it will take to truly discovery who you are and the astoundingly diverse things you would like to be"
At Foster Nest, we believe change agents are individuals who have been able to define who they are despite the obstacles they might have faced being raised in foster care to make a better life for themselves. They are an example for others to promote change and realize it's possible. As someone who has been through foster care, why do you believe you're a change agent?
I am a change agent in that I am not afraid. My childhood experiences have shaped me into a thinker who is no longer scared to express oneself. I am ready and willing to speak up for the causes which I know the world around me should be focusing more time, attention, and resources on. I am willing to carry the consequences of questioning people, systems, and historical ways of thinking in order to see myself and marginalized groups recognized as valuable in the process of change.
How do you believe we can help foster youth and individuals to be on a better path to define their own “Who I Am” to avoid systematic predetermined paths?
First and foremost we must put youth in position to answer the question "who am I" for themselves instead of older individuals, financially wealthier individuals, or more educated individuals feeling like they have the authority to answer this question for youth who are oppressed in racist, misogynistic, classit systems. We have to acknowledge that there is a deep need for healing and reconciliation in spaces that engage foster youth. The vast majority of these spaces need a recentering – where the needs and concerns of youth are established via direct participation of the youth in rules and decision making processes. This, to me, is what empowerment of foster youth would look like in 2020 and beyond – putting the youth and their birth families – front and center in how services, resources, and processes are delivered to them.
——
FosterNestInc Is Spotlighting Authentic Individuals Who Represent Great Examples Of Change Agents Who Have Not Let Growing Up In Foster Care Define Their "Who I AM"
Follow Our Social Channels To See More Empowering Stories To Fill Your Inspiration, Celebrate Modern Black History Or Donate To Support Youth With Our Pot Of Gold Drive In March
Instagram: FosterNestInc
Facebook: FosterNest
If you like this post, you’ll like:
Foster Nest Change Agent Spotlight: Christoper Lemark
Foster Nest Change Agent Spotlight: Tamekia Vantifflin
Foster Nest Change Agent Spotlight: Steve Jobs