OUR MENTORS

Michael A. Murray has been one of R.I.C.H.’s proudest mentors for a couple years now. He is an author, teacher, and poet. Michael’s contributions are coaching young writers in poetry workshops, coordinating art showcases, and co-hosting the Legacy Live podcast. His poetry book, Wild Cards, is now available in stores as well as Amazon.

My name is Leah McClerklin, I am a graduate of Winthrop University with a Bachelor in Arts in Mass Communication, Minor in Theatre. I have been R.I.C.H's resident photographer/videographer for about 3 years. As a rising photographer and cinematographer, she wishes to pursue a career in the entertainment industry as a Movie Filmmaker.

Toure Ali was born in Washington D.C. and relocated in Columbia South Carolina when my mother joined the US Army in year 1999. I’ve traveled and attended many schools throughout my youth. I am now a involved in community outreach and educating young adults with real life matters not taught in school, such as building business credit, mortgages, student loans, credit cards, credit recovery, and knowing your constitutional rights. My vision is to bring awareness to young adults and my peers of the real problems we face as a community in our day to day life and to develop skill sets to bring about solutions to resolve such problems.

Gerard Marcus Washington is a visual artist, mentor, business developer, and warehouse associate. At his time at R.I.C.H. he has brought multiple forms of visual arts to the program as well as to the youth.

Hansa Bajaj is a sophomore at the University of South Carolina studying International Business and Finance. At her time at R.I.C.H. she has helped edit the Legacy Live podcast and update the social media accounts.

My name is Yolanda Carson. I enjoy being a mentor because everyone needs guidance and encouragement, by digging through the root, you'll discover what kind of nourishment people need. I discovered that writing and spoken work takes me beyond the seas and over the mountains just by a dream or imagination. Creating freedom in a literary composition has been my focus to express the value of life.

Donovan Washington is a R.I.C.H Legacy Institute Mentor who joined the institute in March of 2017. Donovan is a poet/artist who preforms spoken word. By incorporating the fundamentals of art, Donovan has high hopes of enriching the youth through the power of vocabulary which will reform them into innovative thinkers who aid one another to shape the future of their communities.

Terrance Duren was born and raised in Camden, SC. He attended college at The Art Institute of Charlotte, where he would hone his talent for videography and go on to create Shots Independent, his video production company. His involvement with The R.I.C.H. Program began with meeting Mama G and signing on to film a documentary about her life and legacy.