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Marquav’is joined The Skills Center in 2010 at age 10, starting with the Junior Magic League. “The Skills Center helped me build my self-esteem and confidence,” he recalls. “It became a place where I could develop my social skills, grow as a leader, and progress as an athlete.”
It wasn’t just The Skills Center that shaped him. Around the same time, Marquav’is became involved with Men of Vision, a Collaborative partner organization of The Skills Center focused on developing young men into leaders. Together, these experiences played a pivotal role in his development.
Like all young participants at The Skills Center, Marquav’is learned to think long- term, setting goals and identifying the steps he would need to achieve them. With support from coaches, peers, and mentors, he began his journey toward success— one step at a time.
As the years passed, Marquav’is’s involvement grew. “I played basketball, attended workshops, fundraised, and volunteered for community service,” he shares. Through these experiences, he gained a well-rounded set of skills and a sense of community. “Participating in these activities helped me grow into someone with a wide range of abilities and a balanced perspective on life.”
It was not just the activities, though—it was the people. He found a “village” in the
co-founders, coaches, and other supporters who stood by him through every stage of his life, even coming to visit him while he was in college. These connections gave him a foundation of trust and encouragement.
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