I met Ty Lewis in August of 2022. I have been working with the Rock Island-Milan School District (RIMSD) for a couple years and I was asked to join them for the first day of the 2022-2023 school year. The plan for the first day was to bring all school staff together for a common experience where they would watch a documentary, Defining US: Children at the Crossroads of Change then return to their respective school to discuss.

I was introduced to Ty just before the screening. When the screening was over, Superintendent Lawrence asked Ty to join him on stage. It was important for the staff to hear from “one of their own”. I was so impressed as Ty stood on the stage in front of 700+ people and he shared his story. He spoke about his experience as a student in RIMSD while also talking about personal challenges that he faced. Folks were excited and proud to hear that Ty had just recently graduated from college but I believe they were most inspired when he shared about the impact that the community had on him even after he graduated from college.

Ty’s ability to motivate and inspire others is impressive. He is mature beyond his years. Despite the challenges and loss that he has encountered, in his relatively young life, Ty has pushed through and he has overcome. What impressed me the most was talking to him one-on-one after his message to the staff. Ty made it clear to me that part of his life’s purpose is to reach back and pull up others. He knows that there are others who are dealing with or will deal with the challenges that he has experienced. He wants to share his personal story so that folks, especially students and young people, will know they are not alone.

I write this as we observe and remember Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. One of my favorite quotes from Dr. King is, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?'” Ty is a the personification of that question.

I am thrilled that our paths crossed and I look forward to connecting in the future!

Love and appreciation!