Today we’d like to introduce you to Ron Toles.
Hi Ron, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I have always been a thoughtful person. Even as a kid, I paid attention to people. I noticed who felt left out, who was struggling quietly, who had potential but did not always get the support they deserved. I genuinely believed in the brilliance of the young people around me. The hard part is that I did not always believe that same thing about myself.
I grew up in under resourced and often forgotten communities where academic success was not always nurtured the way it should have been. I struggled in school at different points and there were moments when I questioned my intelligence and my capacity. It is difficult to believe you are brilliant when the systems around you do not affirm it. That tension shaped me. It made me more empathetic and more aware of how deeply environment impacts confidence.
What made the difference for me was my grandfather. He created a sense of community around me that felt steady and protective. He made sure I knew I belonged somewhere. He modeled consistency, generosity, and quiet strength. He did not rely on systems to define our worth. He relied on relationships. The way he showed up for family and neighbors taught me that community is what sustains people when systems fall short.
Because of him, I learned that you can grow up in a place that feels overlooked and still carry dignity. I learned that belief is something you practice, especially when it does not come easily. Over time I began to separate my academic struggles from my identity. I worked hard, built discipline, and stepped into spaces that once felt intimidating. I realized that my thoughtfulness was not weakness. It was leadership forming.
Today I believe deeply in community over systems. Systems can provide structure, but community provides belonging. My journey has taught me that brilliance can exist alongside struggle and that sometimes all it takes is one person who believes in you consistently. For me, that was my grandfather. Now I try to be that steady presence for others.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not been a smooth road.
One of my biggest challenges has been internal. For a long time I carried quiet self doubt. Because I struggled academically when I was younger, I sometimes questioned whether I was capable enough or prepared enough to lead at a high level. Even after earning degrees and stepping into professional roles, that voice would still show up. I had to do the work of separating my past struggles from my present ability. That has been an ongoing process.
Another challenge has been navigating spaces that were not built with people from my background in mind. When you grow up in under resourced communities, you learn how to survive. But learning how to thrive in rooms where you are often the only one who looks like you or shares your lived experience is different. I had to build confidence while still learning the language of systems, leadership, and funding. There were moments when I felt like I was catching up while everyone else had a head start.
Financial uncertainty has also been real. Choosing purpose over comfort meant stepping away from stability at times. There were seasons where I had to stretch resources, make hard decisions, and trust that the work mattered enough to keep going. That kind of pressure forces you to grow up quickly as a leader.
On a personal level, balancing responsibility with rest has been a struggle. When you care deeply, it is easy to overextend yourself. I had to learn boundaries. I had to learn that sustainability is part of impact. Burning out does not serve anyone.
But every obstacle has shaped me. The doubt made me more disciplined. The unfamiliar rooms made me more prepared. The financial pressure made me more strategic. The exhaustion taught me to value balance. It has not been smooth, but it has been refining.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I lead a community rooted organization that walks alongside young people as they navigate and reimagine their futures. Our work centers on leadership development, creative expression, and meeting basic needs in a way that affirms dignity. We believe young people are already capable and full of potential. Our role is to create the kind of environment that helps them see that in themselves.
We specialize in developing decision making skills, emotional intelligence, communication, and long term vision. We support young people academically and help them explore life after high school, whether that means college, entrepreneurship, or other career pathways. At the same time, we create space for them to tell their own stories through film and photography, using creativity as a form of advocacy. We also address food insecurity directly, involving young people in distributing healthy food to families and learning about sustainability and justice in the process. For us, leadership and basic needs are not separate conversations.
What sets our work apart is depth. We intentionally grow deeper rather than wider. We build long term relationships and consistent mentorship instead of one time engagements. Young people are not just participants. They help shape conversations, influence programming, and lead community discussions about issues that affect them. Their voices matter in real ways.
I am most proud that we have built an ecosystem where young people feel seen and valued. We started small and grew with integrity. Today we serve a core group of young people consistently, engage dozens more in community conversations, and distribute tens of thousands of pounds of food annually with youth actively involved in the effort. The culture of our organization is grounded in the belief that every young person is enough. That belief is not a slogan. It is the foundation of how we show up every day.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
There is something powerful about watching a young person who once doubted themselves speak confidently in front of a room. Or seeing someone who struggled academically begin to believe they are capable. That shift in posture, in tone, in self perception, that makes me happy because I know how much courage it takes to get there. I recognize that journey because I lived it.
I am also deeply happy in simple community moments. Conversations that are honest. Laughter during long days. Watching young people serve others and realize they have something to offer. There is joy in seeing people experience belonging, especially when they come from spaces where they have felt overlooked.
I also find deep happiness in being a father. Watching my daughters grow, learn, and discover who they are brings a different kind of fulfillment. Seeing the world through their eyes reminds me to stay present and patient. Being their father grounds me. It reminds me why this work matters and why creating better environments for young people is personal for me.
More than anything, I am happy when people feel affirmed. When someone walks away knowing they are enough, that does something to me. It feels meaningful. And meaningful work is what gives my happiness depth.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ohmovement.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ordinarieheroes
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ordinarieheroes
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ordinarie-heroes/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ordinarieheroes
