2021 Fellow Focus: Marshall Pollard + The Creative School
Chief Executive Dreamer, creative, educator…2021 Fellow Marshall Pollard of The Creative School shares more about his #RuthlessForGood journey.
What propelled you into the entrepreneurial space? And what do you enjoy most about being a founder?
Simultaneous to the last five years of working with queens & kings in Southeast, Washington, D.C., the funding provided by the public school system (DCPS) was being gutted by over 300% between 2016-2019.
On July 19, 2019, one day after one of our kings was shot and killed, I turned in my resignation to pursue the funding that would sustain The Creative School for the next generation. It was a leap of faith, and a necessary one for us to realize our vision and mission. I enjoy arranging our Queens, Kings, and team to execute a collective vision. I enjoy the freedom of time to approach this work with as much balance as possible. I enjoy the memories we're making--it's just the beginning.
Tell me about an experience you had as an entrepreneur or in starting your company that exemplified one of Camelback's core values: "Belief in Mission + Vision"; "Unafraid of Failure"; "Constant Learner"; "Humble + Hungry"; and "Give First."
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we had to drastically shift our approach. If intergenerational connection that generates health & wealth is our bottom line--it wasn't an option to provide effective virtual programming.
While we took the last 18 months to look inward, build infrastructure and team, we also scaled back our efforts from reaching 120 queens and kings to focusing our impact on 20-25 Leaders in our target community. We showed up to each and every protest in DC, we passed out Soufside DRIP (fresh-pressed juice brand owned and operated by queens & kings) to recruit mentors, we distributed fresh groceries and PPE equipment.
This choice of narrowing our focus while maintaining solid relationships with our Leaders reflects the Humble & Hungry core value. While we wanted to maintain programming for as many queens & kings, we needed to step back, work on us, and make sure we (team of 7) were personally connected to the same group of kids. That way, as we enter a new world, we're doing so side by side with the greatest among us.
As a BIPOC founder, Camelback understands that the struggle is constant, what motivates you to get up every day and keep on fighting?
I've buried too many queens & kings. I believe that this generation will lead us in and through a cultural and spiritual revolution. I'm playing my part.
What's your favorite book or podcast that you draw entrepreneurial inspiration from?
Reboot by Jerry Colonna
Why did you choose to embark on the Camelback Fellowship? And what do you hope to gain from this experience?
"Iron sharpens iron". I need to be developed as an executive and desire to position The Creative School to be financially sustainable for the next generation and beyond.
You can learn more about ➡ Marshall Pollard of The Creative School .
Get to know more of the 2021 Camelback Fellows👇🏽