Charlvon Gaston
by Nate Hicks
Ladies, gentlemen, dreamers…. Meet Charlvon Gaston! Charlvon is a senior at Baldwin Wallace University (by way of TOLEDO, OH) majoring in Sports Management and minoring in Communications Studies. Have you ever met that person that seems to have the ability to make an impact wherever they go? Charlvon is that guy!
It’s obvious to me that if there is a need, he’s trying to fill it. Take for example sexual assault and rape on college campuses; a huge issue that’s been going on for far too long. No, one person is not going to solve the entire issue, but if multiple people take small actions against it, monumental change is made! Being involved in the Brain Center for Community Engagement, Charlvon and another student worked closely together at Baldwin Wallace to have the college i.d. cards changed to include numbers of importance (campus security, the Cleveland rape crisis center and the Berea police) on the back instead of a paragraph explaining what to do if you lose your card.
On top of that, being involved with other campus organizations, AND taking steps to become an entrepreneur, Charlvon is intent on creating lasting change in his community through the formation of a nonprofit organization called FOCUS. FOCUS was designed to have a direct impact on the community while encouraging, inspiring, and developing leaders amongst the youth that are assembled with the skills necessary to prosper in school and in life to end multi-generational poverty.
“The nonprofit was named FOCUS because of the generation that we are in. There are so many distractions in the world. We have literally everything to stop us from even wanting to be great. I want to help the youth in Toledo because it hurts to be at school and everything that I see about my city is kids killing each other.”
Relatable. As sad and as “normal” as it is for that to be a thing, it’s always refreshing to know/see someone who won’t just accept that and be a bystander but will act. In saying that, it’s your turn! If your mission aligns with his and you bring something to the table and want to get involved, reach out to either Charlvon or us and we’ll connect you. If not, there’s something you can do (even the smallest of things) to be a positive influence on the community that you inhabit.
I asked Charlvon “What is your life’s ambition?” Well…
“My life’s ambition is simple. I want to change lives. I want to be the light that a lot of young African American boys and girls need to see in order to believe in their own dreams. I wish to be known for always standing up for the right thing and always being willing to help. Regardless of how successful I am in the business world; I will always seek ways to impact someone else.”
What a great guy! Charlvon Gaston, everyone!
