Conclusion, Final Reflections & Acknowledgments
As I close this e-portfolio, I find myself reflecting not only on the assignments and competencies presented here, but on the broader journey that shaped my development as a nonprofit leader and scholar-practitioner. The Master of Nonprofit Management and Master of Public Administration programs challenged me to grow in ways I did not fully anticipate. They helped refine the values that anchor my work, sharpened my understanding of the nonprofit sector, and expanded my vision of what is possible through mission-driven leadership.
Throughout this program, I developed a deeper grasp of the complex systems that influence community outcomes. I learned to lead with intention, design programs with purpose, engage volunteers with clarity, communicate across difference, and approach decision-making with ethical responsibility. Most importantly, I learned to view nonprofit leadership as a form of public service—one rooted in accountability, equity, and a responsibility to strengthen the fabric of civil society. These lessons have shaped not only my academic journey but the way I show up in my professional roles.
Building this e-portfolio allowed me to step back and reflect on my decade-long trajectory in the nonprofit sector. Each competency represents more than an academic requirement—it reflects real skills I have used to serve youth, families, and communities. I gained tools to analyze policy, manage people, evaluate programs, and navigate the challenges that define today’s nonprofit landscape. And I did so while grounding my work in values of dignity, transparency, and meaningful community engagement.
My experiences at the United Foundation of Central Florida gave me a firsthand understanding of the barriers nonprofits face, while this degree helped me understand why those barriers exist and how to address them with both rigor and compassion. It reaffirmed my commitment to building strong institutions, designing programs that honor community voice, and leading organizations that reflect principles of equity and opportunity. This program also pushed me to think beyond day-to-day management—to explore the role of civil society in democratic life, examine ethical leadership, and consider how nonprofit work shapes long-term systems change.
This journey has also clarified my long-term aspirations. I remain committed to serving as a nonprofit Chief Executive Officer, expanding my presence as an educator and thought leader, and contributing to the field through research, teaching, and leadership development. I now see these roles not as separate ambitions but as connected pathways—each reinforcing my desire to drive sustainable, community-centered change while helping prepare the next generation of leaders.
It Takes A Village: It is impossible for me to name everyone who has helped along this journey, however, I'd like to make some important call outs.
None of this would have been possible without the people who walked with me along the way. I am profoundly grateful to my professors for creating spaces where curiosity and critical thinking could thrive; to my classmates for their encouragement, collaboration, and shared commitment to service; and to my colleagues at UFCF for trusting my leadership and allowing me to apply what I learned in real time. I am equally grateful to my family, friends, and mentors who provided grounding, motivation, and support—especially during the times when balancing graduate school, executive responsibilities, and personal commitments felt overwhelming. Their belief in me made this achievement possible.
This work is also deeply personal. I dedicate this e-portfolio to the youth, families, and community members who have trusted me to serve, lead, and advocate on their behalf. Your resilience, brilliance, and hope fuel my purpose every single day. I am grateful to my parents and bonus parents—Kirk O'Neil and Christine Boyd, and Angela Jennings and Theresa Jennings—whose support, love, and steady belief in me created the foundation that carried me through this program.
I honor the mentors and leaders who helped shape my path: Mrs. Sandra Fatmi-Hall, the late Mr. Dennis W. Hall, the late Mrs. Shellie-Ann Braswell, Nicholas J. Solomon, Anthony Jackson, Zachary Heneden, Raina Wilson, Jaylen W. Christie, Nadia Oakley and the many others who opened doors, offered guidance, and poured into me when I needed it most. Their lessons and love are woven into the leader I am becoming.
To my Morehouse College family and the educators who recognized my potential long before I fully understood it—thank you for instilling in me the values of excellence, service, and brotherhood. You gave me a standard to rise to and a community to carry with me.
And finally, I want to express deep gratitude to Marché Lawton. Meeting you came at a moment when my motivation was flickering, when the weight of work, school, and life felt heavier than usual. Your presence, encouragement, and genuine belief in in the hope of the world reignited a flame I didn’t even realize was dimming. You reminded me why I chose this path, and you helped me rediscover the joy, curiosity in the world, and sense of purpose that brought me into this field in the first place. For that spark, for that inspiration, and for the light you brought back into my journey—I am profoundly grateful.
As I move forward, I carry the lessons, theories, and experiences from this program not merely as academic accomplishments, but as cornerstones of the leadership philosophy I will continue to build. The MNM/MPA dual degree has prepared me for the next chapter of my career and reaffirmed my belief that meaningful change happens where leadership, community, and purpose meet.
Most importantly, this journey reminded me why I chose this field in the first place: because service is not just something I do—it is part of who I am. And I am committed to carrying that spirit forward with humility, curiosity, and a deep dedication to strengthening the communities I am called to serve.