We recently had the chance to connect with Dr. William Dunn and have shared our conversation below.
William , really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
I am most proud of building The Dunn Foundation, nonprofit organization.
I started the foundation when I came back from Iraq from ground up, with no sponsor, no media, and minimal volunteers, who were my children.
Now we serve 3,000 families annually, based in Washington, DC and Los Angeles, we have provided over 500 teens with a free college tour experience, have over 10 major sponsors, 40 volunteers. We have year-round programs such as our Annual HBCU Experience Free College Tour, Homeless Initiative, Annual Back to School Giveaway, Annual Turkey Giveaway providing over 600 families each year with a free turkey and sides, Homeless Veterans Luncheon hosted in Los Angeles. In addition, The Dunn Foundation also host our Annual Warming Hearts for the Homeless Initiative, where we provide hundreds of individuals with a book bag that includes blankets, gloves, hats, scarfs, hand-warmers and snacks every year on Christmas Day at So Others Might Eat Homeless Feeding site in Washington, DC.
We have been featured on NBC News, Roland Martin’s Black Star Network, Longwood Magazine, Washington Post, WPGC-95.5, Radio One-WKYS-93.9, Majic 102.3, Praise 104.3, Capella University Alumni news, Montgomery County Public Schools. Washington Times and Voyage magazine
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I grew up a troubled youth, my mother lived in Virginia and my father lived in New York City. I was involved in street activity and violence as a teenager, losing three of my close friends and a cousin to gun violence before they were 21yrs old. It wasn’t until I became involved in sports when my life turned around. I was an all-around athlete excelling in basketball, football, track and boxing.
I was a Golden Gloves boxing champion and won three state boxing titles as a teenager and went to college on basketball scholarship. I was the MVP of my team, leading scorer and captain of the team my senior year at Longwood University. I signed an overseas professional basketball contract with World-Wide Sports to play in Belgium, after that didn’t work out, I bounced around the CBA (Continental Basketball Association), only to be placed on waivers. After a short stint of chasing professional basketball, I joined the military to play All-Army basketball only to be deployed to Iraq ending my professional basketball career.
I started coaching basketball, football, mentoring, and recruiting as a way of being a voice of hope and resource of support for youth, showing them that “you can be better than what you see around you, while also helping them to pursue their athletic dreams”…. I beat the odds by graduating from high school despite having a challenging childhood. I continue to “chase learning” which is my message …..”degrees to all of the youth and athletes I have coached and continue to coach. I remind all of them that degrees may not be for everyone, but learning is and when you keep chasing the learning you grow in life” -Dr. William Dunn
When you keep chasing learning, things will happen in your life unexpectedly. Although I felt that sports were my vehicle for success, I never stopped “chasing learning.” I had no idea that I would grow up to receive an associates, bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degree. I had no idea that I could become a best-selling author, motivational-speaker, entrepreneur, professor, philanthropist, and Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.
The accomplishment mentioned do not make me better than no one it makes me better for me. I teach my children that no matter what you accomplish in life practice the three “H’s of Life”…….”Heart, Hardwork and Humbleness”
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
I would have to say my late maternal grandmother Della Richardson, who died at the age of 102, born in 1909. My grandmother played a major role in seeing me better than I saw myself. She would always tell me that there was something “spiritual” about me, no matter how much trouble I got into as a youngster.
I also will say my mother, Marva Dunn, played a role in helping me to see the world beyond myself early in life. My mother was the neighborhood mom who took in children no matter what their circumstances were. Growing up my mother was a community activist and created a “free” basketball camp my name, along with my sister’s name, as a way to give back to the community. We had hundreds of children attend those camps over 5 years and this happened in the early 90’s when there were very few “free” basketball camps.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
“Spend less time focusing on the problems in life and more time focusing on the solutions”
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would say “helping others and friendship is what really matters to me. Also, those close to me would say I value “peace among family and that family does not always have to be those you share bloodline with”
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I am with my wife and our five children, rather it be traveling, serving the community or just eating dinner together. We created and built our bond together through serving others. All of our children are active board members for the foundation. We are all committed to serving together!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thedunnfoundation.com/
- Instagram: @thedunnfoundation
- Linkedin: Dr. William Dunn
- Twitter: @iamdunnperiod @thedunnfoundation
- Facebook: @iamdunnperiod
- Youtube: @Dr.WilliamDunn
Image Credits
Pictures taken my TaylorMade Photography and The Dunn Foundation
