Mentoring service empowers Richland One students to win at life
January 24, 2022
It was his rearing as the son of pastors who attended to the needs of others in various ways which began Kelly Simmons, III’s narrative of servant leadership. An essay he’d written in fifth grade, forwarded to him as an adult by a former classmate, is what told his destiny.
In the essay, Simmons wrote, “I want to help serve the community.”
Today, the former Richland One employee is the chief executive officer (CEO) of Empowered to Win, LLC, an education consulting firm which emboldens the personal and professional development of students ages 13-25.
Though it took him a while to fully embrace mentoring and coaching as a profession, Simmons incorporated his business in 2019. He is also a licensed, ordained elder at Truth Church & Ministries in Eastover, S.C. He previously worked in the pharmaceutical and banking industries, served as an active duty infantry officer in the U.S. Army and as a combat medic in the U.S. Army Reserves. Additionally, he worked as a career specialist in Richland One and as a job readiness coach and adjunct instructor in Midlands Technical College’s Corporate and Continuing Education Department.
“My path to mentorship officially began in December 2006 in my hometown of Anderson, S.C. I mentored youth in my local community,” said Simmons. “From there, my reach grew to Columbia, S.C., where I began mentoring in schools and the community.”
According to David Jackson, Richland One’s volunteer coordinator in the Office of Strategic Partnerships and Extended-Day Programs, Simmons has positively impacted the lives of more than 100 Richland One students over the course of five years.
Jackson thought National Mentoring Month 2022 (January) was an appropriate time to raise awareness of the power of relationships, particularly those as priceless as the ones fostered by Simmons.
“I had previously been employed with Richland One, all the while maintaining my organization,” said Simmons. “The students of Richland One held a special place in my heart. I knew that there was a need, so I decided to fill it by offering my services to selected schools at no cost.”
Richland One students receive the same service he provides globally as a career development facilitator and member of the S.C. Career Development Association. Simmons has more than 15 years of experience working in public schools and higher education as a job readiness coach. The education sector is where he’d like to make more of a mentoring footprint.
“School is where they (students) are most of the time so what better place to meet them and be a resource for them,” he said.
The first-generation college graduate received his bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing from Lander University in Greenwood, S.C. He received his master’s degree in public administration with a focus on non-profit management and a graduate certificate in business administration from DeVry University’s Keller Graduate School of Management. According to Simmons, though his education prepared him for some aspects of his business, the needs that exist in the lives of young people are what call upon the exercise of his innate ability to connect. He recalled a time when he mentored a youth who was in the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.
“After he was released, he didn’t have the support or resources in order to be successful, so I continued mentoring him and became like a father figure to him,” said Simmons. “I am proud to say that he has become a successful entrepreneur and father.”
In like manner, Jackson cited several instances where Simmons’ mentoring of troubled youth has helped to turn entire families in a positive direction.
Simmons’ advice to those who would like to become a mentor is to begin with something as simple as serving as a lunch buddy to a youth. For those who are seeking mentors, he advises them to join a club at school or become involved in sports.
When he isn’t mentoring, Simmons, his wife, Kelley, and their children can be found traveling and working on their homestead.
For information on how to partner with Richland One to serve as an individual or organizational mentor, contact Jackson at [email protected] or 803-231-7144.
