An interview with James Ivy Jr., StepUp Board Member and Alumni

I’m excited to introduce the people and the stories behind StepUp. I’ve been chatting with board members, partners, participants and volunteers about their involvement in StepUp and have quickly learned that no matter what capacity it is that people come to StepUp, they walk away transformed.

Can you explain your involvement with StepUp and how it has transformed your life?

James: My involvement with StepUp is a unique one actually, I'm not sure if there are many that have attempted to go through multiple times. The third time was the time that I was actually able to grasp what was needed on my part to complete the program.  I had to understand where I needed to be, and really come to grips with my life altering. It began with surrendering to God's will for my life and then committing to myself. StepUp allowed me to see just what I was truly capable of. All of that has made me a better person, a better father, a better citizen, and a better grandfather. It's inspired me to constantly be in a state of giving because they give so genuinely from such a pure place. So I seek opportunities to give or to inspire and to empower. StepUp Ministry has given me an opportunity to overcome my fear of leveling up. 

You touched on StepUp’s mission a little bit, but can you tell me what makes the mission so powerful to you?

James: Their mission of transforming lives through employment and life skills training is evident. For me, it would be more of their value statement that speaks about their belief that lives are truly transformed through God's grace and mercy. That's what proves paramount because you can give people all of these resources, you can teach them how to budget their money, you can teach them how to be better versions of themselves, but what you can't teach is the ability for someone to be in a heart space and a spiritual space to understand that. This doesn't happen without a measure of God's grace and God's mercy. 

What is the best piece of advice you would give regarding being a business owner, starting your career, or transforming your life?

James: From a career standpoint, the best advice that I've ever gotten is to seek a way to profit from a gift or a skill that you're truly committed to and passionate about. Once I started cutting hair, and getting into the barber industry it really clicked that I really enjoy doing this. And it was the ambition to extend a ministry from this because it's greater than just cutting hair. It's teaching a lot of the young guys about etiquette and how to communicate and how to carry themselves as gentlemen.

I also want to add that the greatest advice I ever got about life in general was from my father and that was to simply never give up. I don't care what happens, things are going to happen, life is going to be challenging, but just never ever, ever give up. 

Some of the work we do is to help people walk through barriers to employment, but I think there's also a conversation to be had about the systems that perpetuate these barriers. What does that look like to you?

James: I guess I have an alternative view. I have to first refer to my father's advice to never give up because I can honestly say that every one of these barriers has affected me personally. And the no’s take a toll when you've got criminal history, you've got a criminal background, you've experienced homelessness. But it wasn't until I adopted an overcomers mindset instead of a ‘going through challenges’ mindset, that my whole existence began to shift for the better.

There are systems that are, in my opinion, designed to be barriers for certain demographics or for certain races, and that's just the fact of what it is. So when we understand that and get away from it we set out to destroy any of these false images and false barriers. So in my alternative view, you have to switch from a mindset of focusing on the systemic pitfalls and you have to overcome. There is nothing that I will not attempt to overcome by any means necessary.

Shifting gears a bit since we have entered a new year. What is the biggest lesson that you have learned either as an individual or within your business in the last year?

James: The biggest lesson I've learned in this last year is all kind of wrapped up in everything, the business, my personal life, finances, social unrest and COVID-19, the political arena, it seems to be a total mess. The biggest thing I've learned is that you can still have joy in the midst. They can't take that. Joy isn't isn't an innate characteristic and happiness depends on happenstance. But joy is something that you could have in the midst of anything and all the chaos. 

Can you tell me about something you’re listening to, reading, watching, or learning about that is changing your life right now?

James: I'll pay attention every day in every snippet, every encounter, every broadcast. We can learn something from it all and acquire new knowledge toward our optimal selves. That's what I do. I'm always keeping my head on a swivel. Everything teaches me a lesson. 

Is there anything else that you could think of that you wanted to share or talk about?

James: I will just wrap it up with this– remain thankful and just spread genuine love. Be thankful for those who have helped you because StepUp Ministry, I owe a debt of gratitude. I owe the rest of my life to continue to be worthy of the kindness that has been bestowed upon me by StepUp Ministry. And I won't stop until I do as much as I can. I promise you that.

“Leadership is found in the action to defeat that which would defeat you…You are made by the struggle you choose” -C.T. Vivian

Such profound and inspiring words from a recently fallen giant within our nation’s history. His words remind me that struggle is an opportunity for greatness. The struggles we are currently facing will only allow for more Martin Luther Kings, Billy Grahams and Ella Baker’s to rise, look in the face of defeat and carve paths for others to overcome. On June 1st I was given the opportunity to speak at StepUp’s Impact luncheon as groundbreaker to statistical change. As a single mother I was faced with the weight of struggle but instead of giving in I became a leader and a change agent. Despite the economic climate and the financial deficit there is always action that can be taken to defeat the odds. This action was carved out for me as a participant of a nonprofit organization in Raleigh called StepUp. StepUp helps over 700 participants yearly, since it started in 1988, who are faced with defeat due to incarceration, drug addiction, abusive relationships, unexpected traumatic downturns, and job loss. Instead of staying knocked down StepUp has a 12-month lifecycle program that helps participants regain their grip on life. Step Up took what seemed to be a hopeless situation for myself and so many others and rebuilt lives by leveraging the weight of struggles for the tenacity of survival. Choosing to be victors not victims the participants in the StepUp program are equipped with job training, financial literacy courses and mental health recovery plans that dismantle any residual thoughts of failure. StepUp creates leaders. Join us in this transformational journey. As we continue to navigate through this pandemic, StepUp remains here to provide support and resources to people and families of Wake County. If you would like to partner with us as employers, donors, or as a participant, visit us at www.stepupministry.org.

One of our board members, DeShelia Spann, was recently a guest on the Now Look Inward podcast with Angela Connor. In this episode, titled Addressing Systemic Racism in Volunteer Organizations, Angela and DeShelia share personal stories and discuss how many organizations across America are learning, educating and holding themselves accountable to look inward at their own cultures and practices. Check out the episode:

Listen to this episode from Now Look Inward (with Angela Connor) on Spotify. In this episode, Angela spends time with DeShelia Spann, Worldwide Marketing Campaign Manager at Lenovo.

StepUp is excited to announce that Anna White Hosea is our new Board Chair. Anna first learned about and toured StepUp during Employment Week around nine years ago and she has been involved ever since. She is bringing with her a background in fundraising, years of volunteering, and the unique experience of working with the StepUp staff as interim Development Director.

 “StepUp has proven time and time again to be a thoughtful and strategic organization,” she said, “I’m honored to be asked and to serve as board chair.”

Anna believes StepUp is a great investment for anyone looking to support local economy, workforce, and growth because we are in the business of not just helping people, but helping them build careers. “We are leveling the playing field for men and women by providing opportunities they can take advantage of.”

We are grateful for Anna’s dedication and support of StepUp and we are excited as she continues on her journey with us in this new role. 

If you are interested in getting involved or supporting StepUp, please visit https://www.stepupministry.org/how-to-help.