VILLAGE ENGAGE IMPACT STORY

“Want to talk?”

Greenville native, Shakir Robinson, recently participated in one of Village Engage’s JustFaith groups. Eight community members met weekly for 8 weeks at Mill Village Ministries’ offices on Pendleton Street. The program used by the group, “Want to talk?” helped participants learn how to hold “crucial conversations,” even when emotions might be running high. Shakir said he really enjoyed hearing the perspectives of the other group members and he learned how important deep listening is.

Shakir realized that the tools he learned in the Want to talk? group would be great for folks in the communities where he works. So, he has decided to facilitate a Want to talk? group. He said, “I want to plant those tools and see those seeds grow outside of the group I participated in.”

Shakir is no stranger to issues of injustice and inequity in the Greenville community. His mother, Leola Robinson-Simpson, has been a civil rights leader for over 60 years. Not only did she serve for a decade as a Representative in the SC House of Representatives, but at age 15 she participated in the lunch counter sit in at Kress Variety Store to protest racial discrimination.

The apple does not fall far from the tree. Over 20 years ago, Shakir Robinson began coaching youth football and basketball teams in the City Heights (now Boulder Creek) neighborhood. He used a field and a basketball court in the heart of the neighborhood. Through football and basketball, he helped neighborhood youth learn to work together. “You can’t do it by yourself if you’re on a football team.” says Shakir. Through teamwork, the young people Shakir worked with learned how to earn respect and how to give respect. Not only did the youth under his direction learn about teamwork, but they also went on to place in national tournaments, like the AAU (Amateur Athletic Union). 

Then his mother, who was serving on the Greenville County School Board, asked Shakir, “How are the kids’ grades?” The answer was – not good. Undaunted, Shakir started the Saturday Success School that was held every Saturday for 4 years at Greenville Tech. If you wanted to play on one of the teams Shakir coached, you had to attend the Saturday Success School.

But Saturday sessions were not enough. So, Shakir started an after-school program. The program moved from neighborhood park to neighborhood park. Then, in 2007 Shakir’s mother found a building on Pendleton Street. The building needed renovations and it was a tough road to get permitting and raise the funds needed to transform the building into both a boxing gym – yes, Shakir also coaches award winning amateur boxers! – and a facility for the after-school program. 

Today the Center for Education and Equity (CEE), which was co-founded by Shakir and his mother, Leola Robinson-Simpson, works with up to 15 children in its after-school program Mondays through Thursdays. About a dozen youth participate in the boxing program and the football and basketball teams are still producing young athletes who understand the importance of teamwork AND good grades. CEE also holds a 6-week summer academic and fitness camp. Young people line up at the door of the gym to participate each summer. Shakir estimates that 98% of the youth he coaches graduate from high school and he says, “The major tools to develop the youth are working on focus, discipline and work effort.”

From the Mill Village Ministries offices located directly across the street from CEE, we see the summer camp participants running up and down Pendleton Street. When asked about the need for donations, in addition to funding, Shakir said, “During the summer we need snacks and Gatorade – LOTS of Gatorade!”

We are grateful for Shakir’s leadership and the incredible impact he is having on youth in the Greenville community. If you would like to support the work Shakir and CEE are doing, let us know and we will connect you!