OF THE WAY was birthed through the tragedy of death. In 2017, Founder Joseph Williams II, received a phone call with the news that his close friend, Kandeh “KT” Turray had unexpectedly passed. KT left this world at the young age of 26, leaving behind two daughters. The impact of KT’s death burdened not only friends and family but it had a direct effect on his daughters and this new life they must now navigate through without their father.
Joseph and his group of college friends who all met and bonded with KT at North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University decided to be the change they wanted to see. The group, affectionately referred to as ‘The Squadron’, decided they would contribute financially on a regular basis to a fund that would go to KT’s girls. Knowing this would not and could not replace a father but it could help. KT had such an impact on Squadron members’ lives it was the least they felt they could do to help his daughters.
From this, Joseph decided to take this notion a step further. Realizing death leaves so many children parentless and removes a member of their community, he sought to devise a plan to add another member back to that child’s community. Realizing that a financial contribution is great but guidance and help navigating through life towards young adulthood is essential in proper development. And from this, OF THE WAY was born.
OF THE WAY is a non-profit mentorship organization created to offer a positive example to a child/young adult who has lost a parent as he/she matriculates towards young adulthood. OF THE WAY seeks to become a part of the child’s community as a support system.
Our primary function is to cultivate the child’s interests, passions, and gifts and help them use them to accomplish tangible goals. At the program’s end, the child will have discovered a new STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) based interest or further developed an existing STEAM based interest.
OF THE WAY will provide resources to enrich the child’s life and expose them to rewarding opportunities.