Interview with Darren Williamson. Darren is the current acting coordinator of Pangea but full VP of PRSVR/Pangea Incorp where he oversees all Scholarship and Community based duties in our Michigan Affiliate. Currently Darren is working with all the Grand Rapids Public Schools as a mentor to high school students. Darren is also taking steps to graduating through Devos Urban Leadership through a course which is labeled as the Grand Rapids Initiative for Leaders.
Ambassador: So i have seen your government name, but everybody here on this site has a nickname or moniker. Whats yours?
Darren: Haha...depends on who you ask. If you ask people from years ago, they might say DW, or Detroit Red..Now I tend to go by The Rich Young Ruler
Ambassador: Ok, does that epitomize or sum up what you do around the world or in the world of Pangea/PRSVR?
Darren: Yea that is what I go by..unless you don't like that one..lol
Ambassador: What exactly do you do? Besides not get a lot of face time within the brand?
Darren: I am in charge of the Strive for R.E.A.L.I.T.Y. scholarship. I meet with the kids and tell them about the business and let them know that we came from the same place where they are now.
Ambassador: What made you want to take on the challenge of working with the kids?
Darren: A number of things honestly...my father always said we have to give back to those in need. Also public figures such as Joe Dumars, Jalen Rose, and Robert Kennedy. Those individuals gave of themselves when they really really had the ability to give and even though they had or have big hearts, they also had big bank. With our contribution, it means more to me because we have, but we don't have it like that, but we still make the sacrifice to give to others less fortunate. When Kennedy went to South Africa, and saw the conditions in the schools, he saw how unnacceptable and unsatisfactory things were there. When I went back to our high school, I felt the same way.
Ambassador: Thats profound...As things grow and pogress for PRSVR as a business into different countries and markets, where do you see your talents being utilized?
Darren: Possibly general marketing towards the youth or other classes or demographics of people I have been exposed to that may not be exposed to the marketing and presence we are creating. But no matter what the money and progress says, my heart will always be with the kids.
Ambassador: Well before you make the readers cry, and PBS picks up this interview, what changes are you planning to make to the scholarship this year?
Darren: Possibly an interview process to have a better understanding of the kids dream. Ask them tentative questions to see how they respond.
Ambassador: How do you think the perception of the brand doing the scholarship has been?
Darren: Mixed reviews by administration as far as why we are doing it. Most like what we are doing, but some are too busy doing who knows what to notice or care which is sad but true all at the same time. The teachers love it because I can relate to the students better than they can. I sat in the same seats and had hard times just like they did and do. At the same time, some of those students have so much work that they don't want to write a paper thats not required for graduating..lol
Ambassador: I can understand that...What have you learned as a person about yourself by being with Pangea/PRSVR?
Darren: That i would enjoy helping out the kids on my days off intead of relaxing on my days off. I really do this every day that I can whether its scholarship time or not.
Ambassador: What do you see as the ultimate result of the dedication being set forth?
Darren: Break down stereotypes about Ottawa, break down stereotypes about young people, and have many young people knowing that they can be successful in business, and hopefully being able to partner with them in their ventures down the road.
Ambassador: Whats your biggest fear?
Darren: Don't have any. Its against my religion but I don't like to fail, or let people down.
Ambassador: Side bar. Were Brandon and DJ as unpopular as they say they were?
Darren: It was like the equivalent to when Kanye first came out, or like Pharrell when he is not skateboarding or dressing up. Like DJ was the first person with whatever it was that was good to wear at that time. Like he wore what was on TV last night before most people found out where to get it from. He was always like that. Brandon was on the basketball team and on game days you had to wear a tie. He would wear a full creme suit just because it offered the ability to show how well put together it was going to be. The equivalent to being the coolest lames ever, but far from lame once you speak with them.
Ambassador: LOL!! Did it work for them? Or did it always look forced or unnatural?
Darren: Looked like they weren't trying at all. It looked natural for them, but nobody else could have pulled it off.
Ambassador: Thank you for your time sir. Anything you want to add on that?
Darren: Coalition coming from PRSVR 2009!! Other than that, I am out of profound talk for the rest of the day.
Ambassador OUT!!!
Perseverer - to persist in or remain constant to a purpose