In the early days of COVID, when the world was deeply uncertain, I received a cold email from a man named Tom Rawls. His introduction was so humble that it would have been easy to dismiss the call, but he was passionate about martial arts and helping children who weren’t born lucky. So I looked him up on LinkedIn and saw we had several common connections. I reached out to three people who we knew in common, and each told me in their unique way how fortunate we were that Tom took an interest in PowerUP. They spoke of his character, his ability to get things done, and they filled in the blanks that Tom left out of his own introduction in terms of the success he had in his career, and the resources and energy he could bring to PowerUP.
Based on that feedback, we added Tom to the board, and it was clear immediately that even the great feedback we got from others was understated. Tom was a man of action. Once he joined the board, he immediately focused on expanding the board and bringing in an executive director.
As we were adding to the board and building a management team, Tom’s financial and hands on support enabled us to work with our instructors to formalize a virtual Zoom version of the program. Our instructors had time on their hands, and the school system was subsidizing internet access for our scholars. We ended up growing rapidly at a time when we thought we might have to shut down!
We haven’t looked back since. Tom’s goal was to serve 1,000 scholars in a year. We hit that in 2023. His next goal was 10,000 scholars. I’m not sure how we will do it without him, but our board and our team are galvanized around the mission.
Tom’s impact went far beyond strategy. He secured pro bono legal support, ensuring every step we took was sound. He was instrumental in bringing on instructors and exposing PowerUP to new communities. He held board members accountable, always keeping our mission at the forefront.
Thanks to Tom’s dedication, guidance, and support, PowerUP has been able to provide over 55,000 hours of mentorship, and partner with 26 organizations in the Atlanta Metro Area under his tenure. His leadership and commitment were instrumental in these achievements. Our journey is documented in detail within the 2022 and 2023 annual reports.
Beyond his professional contributions, Tom was a trusted confidant and a source of unwavering positivity. We had countless conversations about PowerUP, about life, and everything in between. He possessed a rare combination of determination and open-mindedness, always pushing forward while remaining receptive to new ideas.
Tributes from the PowerUP Family
- Stéphan Donzé (PowerUP Board Member):“I have never seen Tom without his big smile and incredibly positive energy. I’m grateful that Tom did get to finish his book and I hope the stories he has shared there will inspire many people of all ages. They did inspire me for sure. Thank you, Tom.”
- Mike Gandy Auzenne (PowerUP Board Member): “My last one on one conversation with Tom was at dinner after our last board meeting. He shared a song that brought tears to his eyes as he reflected on how lucky he was to have his children and grandchildren. He thought I would appreciate the song being a new dad.”
- Connor Cook (PowerUP Executive Director): “Tom was not just a board member; he truly lived PowerUP’s mission and was driven to help our scholars thrive. His integrity, warmth, and passion left an indelible mark on our organization.”
- Alvarez Family (PowerUP Scholar Family): “The only words we can dedicate to Mr. Tom and his family are infinite gratitude, for all the work he did with the children, the great help to so many families, we will remember him with much admiration and love.”
- Gallegos Family (PowerUP Scholar Family): “We are deeply grateful for the impact Mr. Tom had on our family.”
- Scott Tasker (PowerUP Instructor): “Tom Rawls, my first contact at PowerUP in July of 2021, his enthusiasm about the concept was what drove me to join. He was deeply passionate about martial arts and devoted to helping others experience it for themselves. His unwavering commitment to the discipline and his profound impact on those around him will always be remembered.”
His latest project was the creation of a tournament that will now carry his name, a lasting legacy of his dedication. Our inaugural martial arts tournament, will feature over 100 students from diverse backgrounds and disciplines. This event is more than just a competition; it is a celebration of our student’s dedication to perseverance and achievement. Click here to learn more about the Tournament.
Tom’s legacy lives on at PowerUP. He leaves behind a stronger organization, a passionate team, and countless inspired individuals.
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