Jordan Ross & R. Whittington Foundation

My name is Jordan Ross, a senior accounting major at Harris-Stowe State University from Compton, CA but St. Louis raised. I met Dr. Whittington 3 years ago when I transferred from Morehouse College and he bestowed me with my first scholarship; he’s been my mentor ever since. Priceless life lessons, spiritual growth, and wisdom has been the core of our relationship. Normally, Dr. Whittington speaks from the heart when makes his posts on Facebook but he’d rather I do it this time as I reflect on our past Food Drive in collaboration with Walmart Corporation. On Tuesday, June 27, 2023, the R. Whittington Foundation (with the sponsorship of Walmart Corporation) fed over 1,400 families in East St. Louis. After the drive was over, Dr. Whittington and I had a deep conversation the following morning about impact and the current state of our community which led to us to asking a few questions;

• When is the last time you showed someone you care? Not just using words but taking action to give that person their flowers?
• What happened to love thy neighbor? We used to have the mindset of “if I got it then you got it” but lately there’s been a lot of focus on self.
• How do we get to the point where we can love each other in this melting pot of America? What must we do in order to save our community?
• WE can be the change we want to see but it starts with us. It starts with you. You don't have to give money but does it hurt you to hold the door for someone else? Does it hurt you to help someone put their groceries in their car? Does it hurt you to tell someone good morning with a smile on your face? These few examples don’t require anything but effort and love.

What we do is a job that doesn’t come with shining lights nor a round of applause. We have long days and even longer nights that can cause financial, mental, and physical strain to ensure the wellbeing of other people but its always worth it. Every time. The payment for our work comes from God and the inner peace we have of knowing that God and our community knows we’re trying. Trying to ensure the education of our communities, trying to make sure our families can eat tonight. Trying to change the mindset and paradigm of a young man who’s been a victim of the system but doesn’t know any other way. But not only are we trying, but we’re doing. Making sure a young man or young lady knows that blood doesn’t have to be the only people who can love you, making sure people see positive and practical representation of us other than what they show in the media.

Each one, teach one, it takes a village to raise one and to those who are going into their communities and teaching these young men and women priceless lessons, I thank you. To the mothers who are doing their best with what they have, I thank you. To the fathers that fight through tribulations but still provide I thank you. To the grandparents that’s fulfilling the role of parents to their grandchildren I thank you. I thank everyone who is taking the time to contribute and pour into our young people.



Remember, LOVE WINS.

"Faith without work is dead."

- Jordan Ross & The R. Whittington Foundation