Meet We Are One Community Unity Founder Jerry Boykin
Detroiter, Jerrold Boykin is a Man On A Mission in his beloved city — making a difference with the help of others.
A socially conscious mindset and a big heart, led Boykin to answer a call to be a blessing to the less fortunate. He started a food ministry six years ago, and credits faith, favor and obedience as his reasons why. It is what leads the busy father of two, to serve the homeless — rain, sleet, snow or shine every Wednesday. The devout Christian who shuns accolades but wants God to shine in everything he does, is notably and deeply rooted in the Detroit community.
A Love For People
What others consider commendable, the nurturing samaritan considers an assignment — treating those who come with arms stretched with nothing less than dignity. The organization, We Are One Community Unity is a grass roots outreach, unladen with bureaucracy.
Detroit Publicist and AM 910 talk show host, Karen Dumas recently told an auditorium of humanitarians at the Charles H. Wright Museum, “I’ve rarely met anyone like Jerrold — with intention and a heart so pure and genuine.” Dumas is often found by the side of the entrepreneur and philanthropist, along with a small but dependable group.” Dumas goes on to say, “While many people start similar efforts, Boykin and his son have been an unbelievable source of consistent inspiration. Boykin uses his food ministry to compassionately rebuild souls and revitalize hope in the hearts of Detroit’s homeless. His dedication is beyond belief, as he quietly tends to the needs of strangers, addressing each by name.”
What Motivated Boykin To Self-Fund This Ministry For The Past 6 Years?
Boykin recalls his Mom and Dad inspiring their five children to care for the less fortunate — driving through the city sharing food and prayers from the family Chevy wagon — packed with more compassion than privilege. Perhaps that’s where the seeds of advocacy were planted. Boykin believes, that many of America’s homeless men and women at one time or another, were just like the rest of us. Then they got sideswiped by life — and ultimately many checked out psychologically. It is Boykin’s hope that other’s consciousness will be elevated without ever having to personally feel such desperateness and vulnerability.
Boykin recently assured a reporter on NBC’s WDIV Local 4, saying, “Anyone can make a sandwich — hopefully a really delicious one they’d eat themselves — but together, all of us making sandwiches, could mean a delicious difference.