Meet Our Founders

 

Robert Gray

Executive Director | Co-Founder

Robert Gray is a visionary, businessman, brand strategist and social entrepreneur with a passion for criminal justice reform and economic empowerment. As a native of Albemarle County, VA who was born in Charlottesville, he was able to experience firsthand both the opportunities and gaps that existed for the communities that raised him. As a result, he fostered a strong determination to operationalize socio-economic mobility as a means for building generational wealth and knowledge, especially among marginalized communities. His lifelong mission is to educate and empower all people socially, politically, and economically.
While an undergraduate at Saint Augustine’s University, Gray worked alongside Senator Don Davis as a legislative intern at the North Carolina General Assembly. He also served as the Community Outreach Chair for the Student Government Association, a role he used to coordinate book drives, voter education campaigns, and events geared toward civic engagement and raising political awareness. As an NAACP Moral Freedom Summer Organizer, he managed a statewide non-partisan voter empowerment campaign in which he educated participants about voter suppression tactics in addition to registering voters. Before graduating, Gray earned the Elaine Marshall Award for service in Political Science. He was later recognized, alongside other exceptional SAU Alumni, as an honor of the university’s 45 Under 45 Award for his community engagement and activism. Beyond his extensive work in political organizing, Gray remains steadfast in actualizing equal educational opportunity. As a Pathway Coach with the City of Promise, he created and facilitated a comprehensive educational training on Social Entrepreneurship for youth in the Westhaven neighborhood during the summer of 2018. As the CEO and Creative Director of Dreamin’ Diamonds, LLC, a mission-driven clothing line and empowerment brand, he secured a partnership with Auntie Anne’s and Dream Clothing to create the “Diamond and a Dream” scholarship fund. The fund provides two $1,000 scholarships to first-generation college students with a passion for social entrepreneurship. Gray is a 2019 graduate of the Community Investment Collaborative Entrepreneurship Workshop and a current member of Leadership Charlottesville, an economic development initiative created by the Chamber of Commerce to help build an active corps of engaged leaders dedicated to sustaining community-building efforts. In February 2019, Gray received a Proclamation from Charlottesville City Council for his work in the community. The proclamation specifically commended the back-to-school drive coordinated by Gray at Tonsler Park on August 12, 2017, where Dreamin’ Diamonds provided over 250 backpacks with school supplies to those in need. Despite the backdrop of the white supremacist rallies at the time, Gray encouraged community members to remain resilient in the face of fear and successfully provided a safe space for both parents and children to congregate and enjoy themselves. The event was also followed by an annual toy drive in December 2017. Gray is currently on United Way’s Financial Resilience Task Force, and was recently appointed to the Commonwealth’s Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice and Prevention. He also serves on the steering committee of the Charlottesville Black Male Achievement Initiative. He has over 10 years of experience working with high risk youth and two years of experience applying nationally recognized, evidence-based Check and Connect program with targeted community of youth and their families in the City of Charlottesville ensuring students were attending, engaging and investing in their education.
Gray, a first generation college graduate, holds a Bachelor’s of Arts in Political Science with a concentration in Public Policy from Saint Augustine's University.

Derek Rush

National Director | Co-Founder

Derek Rush, Richmond, VA: Co-Founder of The Uhuru Founder; a visionary leader with a profound background in community development and organizational leadership. Born and raised in Albemarle County, Derek's journey is one of resilience and dedication. Despite facing significant personal challenges, including nearly two years of incarceration, he has emerged as a beacon of hope and transformation, using his experiences to fuel his passion for change.

In 2022, Derek was honored with the Innovator Award from Cities United, recognizing his groundbreaking efforts in addressing systemic issues and fostering community resilience. His commitment to leveraging technology for empowerment has led him to focus on enhancing digital literacy and ensuring equitable tech access through The Uhuru Foundation.

Derek's academic and professional journey is extensive and varied. He is an esteemed graduate of Leadership Metro Richmond and Leadership Charlottesville, where he honed his skills in collaborative leadership and strategic community engagement. Moreover, Derek is currently enrolled in the Sorenson Institute Political Leadership Program, aiming to harness his insights and experiences to become a future lobbyist and advocate for systemic change.

His dedication to service extends beyond his professional endeavors; Derek serves as a board member of the Rotary Club of Richmond, contributing to local and international community betterment initiatives. His leadership journey is underpinned by a commitment to creating inclusive spaces and driving positive change within his community.

Derek has also achieved a Certificate in Federal Grants Management through the Department of Justice and serves as a peer reviewer for federal grants within the same department, showcasing his expertise and commitment to transparency and efficacy in public service.

Despite the challenges he has faced, Derek's leadership journey is marked by an unwavering dedication to fostering community growth and advocating for digital inclusion. Through The Uhuru Foundation, he continues to break barriers and create pathways for underserved individuals and communities, championing the transformative power of technology and digital literacy.

Meet Our Staff

  • Claiborne Maupin

    S.T.E.E.L.E. COORDINATOR

    Claiborne L. Maupin is a self-employed retail consultant. Born and raised in Charlottesville, VA, he has dedicated himself to the work of transforming generational curses into generational blessings, particularly through mentorship and empowerment of the youth. Maupin spent sixteen years in federal prison, an experience which affirmed the tenacity of his integrity and discipline, prior to pursuing his passion for social justice and change through education. In addition to providing the youth with effective tools for positive thinking and behavioral changes through his position as a S.T.E.E.L.E. reentry coordinator, Maupin has registered his own clothing brand AMECHE MACROSS, which stands for All Real Minds Educate Children Helping Elevate Mentalities Creating Realistic Opportunities Styling Successfully. He’s also worked as a camp counselor for young children, and routinely volunteers at Come As You Are C-Ville, a nonprofit organization geared towards serving the homeless. His hobbies include reading, meditation, and showing up as a perpetual learner in the spaces he occupies.

  • Jamey Rush

    Life Coach - Peace In the Streets

  • Nicholas Feggans

    Community Outreach Coordinator - Peace in the Streets

  • Martize Tolbert

    Community Resource Specialist - Peace In the Streets