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    • Address from the Founder, Leon Gatewood

    While setting up the sound system for the Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast in my hometown of Wadesboro, NC, I was stopped by Michael McLeod, the high school principal at the time. With a look of urgency in his eyes, he said, “Only 54% of my students are reading on grade level.”

    Later that day, I attended the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Luncheon in nearby Richmond County. The keynote speaker, Ms. Glenda Manning, began her talk with a powerful story about the Masai Tribe. “The Masai are one of the mightiest tribes of Africa,” she said. “And every morning, the elders begin their day by asking, “How are the children?”

    The traditional greeting among Masai warriors is “Casserian Engeri,” which means, “How are the children?” This simple, yet profound question reflects the tribe’s deep belief in prioritizing the well-being of their children. For them, the safety, education, and future of the next generation are the foundation of peace and prosperity.

    That question—“How are the children?”—resonated with me deeply. It made me reflect on the state of our own children. In our communities, when we fail our children in school, we often set them on a path to failure in life—whether that be in poverty, the prison system, or struggles with health.

    What if, instead of passing each other by, we began every conversation with the same question: “How are the children?” What if this simple greeting became a reminder in our hearts and minds that the well-being of our children is the true measure of our community’s success?

    Imagine the impact if, day by day, we started asking that question, and took real steps to make sure the answer was one we could say with pride: “The children are well. Yes, all of the children are thriving!”

    I challenge you today to ask about the children in your community. And more importantly, take action to help them. Together, we can ensure that the future we create for them is one of promise, opportunity, and hope.

    Our Mission

    To inspire positive change by offering guidance and resources that empower and uplift our community.

    Our Vision

    To propel the HOLLA! movement forward, transforming mindsets and behaviors to strengthen our community’s capacity for self-sufficiency and lasting success.

    Our Focus

    • Empowering Children: Nurturing the potential of every child through education, support, and opportunity.
    • Strengthening Families: Providing resources and guidance to help families thrive and build a strong foundation for future success.
    • Transforming Education: Championing educational excellence and access to ensure every child has the tools to succeed.
    • Building Community: Fostering a united, resilient community where collaboration, support, and growth are at the heart of progress.
    • Work Readiness: Equipping individuals with the skills, mindset, and opportunities needed to succeed in today’s workforce and beyond.