Background

Mission: Restore, Rebuild, and Reclaim Futures through education, career, health, and social programs impacting communities. 

FOUNDATION
Our founders bring expertise in the arts, technology, engineering, education, workforce development, community building, diversity, and health & wellness.  The launch team, Dr. Lin and Margo Dawson have decades of training and development expertise in higher education administration, K-12 schools, entrepreneurship, diversity and inclusion training, workforce development, faith-based leadership, and community relations. They began tackling issues of race, violence, and workplace inequity over 25 years ago consulting with groups like The Blackstone Rape Crisis Center, NC Legal Aid, John Deere, Quintiles, IBM, Explores Museum, Kenyan Tribal Leaders (Nairobi), Study Circles on Race & Ethnic Relations (sponsored by the YWCA & League of Women Voters), The National Consortium for Academics and Sports, and others.    

HISTORY
Dr. Dawson returned to his community regularly after attending NC State University and being drafted to the New England Patriots.  His love for his hometown fostered life-long relationships which he attributes to attaining goals and dreams.  

In 2013, Dawson returned to Kinston to launch boys Saturday Academy which he named to honor legendary coach, STEM teacher, and his mentor, Coley Little.  The Academy collaborated with Lenoir County Public Schools, Parks and Recreation, faith-based organizations, and families to recruit boys for the program.  The goal was to mentor and provide training in computer technology, study skills, financial literacy, conflict resolution, anger management, sports, and college to career exploration.

In 2014, Lin and his wife, Margo Dawson, a former high school teacher and diversity training consultant, established the JH Sampson CDC  501 (c) (3) non-profit organization known today as Train Them Up for Success CDC.  They purchased the old JH Sampson Elementary School facility in Kinston which housed the Boy's Academy, Saturday Math Lab, Yoga programs, adult volunteer training, and more.  Collaborations with the  State Employee Credit Union Teaching Fellows Program, the Rochelle Middle School After School Tutoring Office, NC State University Extension Program, and others.

Programs to follow focus on closing STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) and health disparities through collaborations like NASA Professional Development training, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, NC State University Imhotep Academy Summer Camp, the East Carolina State University STEM Resource Center Partnership and State Employee Teaching Fellows Intern Program.  Through the years, the mission has given access to education and career mentoring.  Local and state relationships from everyday citizens, parents, and community leaders have made this possible.

SOARING TO NEW HEIGHTS

A continued commitment to close disparities in education and wellness drives the vision.  See the Fit to Soar Career Mentoring and Youth Fitness Program for the 2021-2022 Year.

Keep Soaring!