Interview with Tracy Morris
Mentorship, education, character development, and emotional wellness. Those are the important necessities for children to be successful in this world. The four characteristics listed above are also the Blue Heart…
Mentorship, education, character development, and emotional wellness. Those are the important necessities for children to be successful in this world. The four characteristics listed above are also the Blue Heart Foundation’s key values. The Blue Heart Foundation is an organization located in South East San Diego — helping young Black male adolescents be prepared for college. The major activities in this organization are volunteerism, field trips for cultural development, and awarding academic excellence. This helps students have a better chance to be accepted into a four-year university, have an open mind on diverse cultures, and have a shot at networking with other successful people. On August 10th, 2021, I had the fortunate opportunity to interview Tracy Morris, the founder of the Blue Heart Foundation. How I got to know Morris before the interview is that he is a mutual friend. I heard about his organization by word of mouth and as a person who works in education, I know he is a great example as a leader in the San Diego Black community.
A San Diego native raised in the South East, Morris is a regular guy with big dreams, aspirations, and a tiny bit of common sense. He grew up with childhood trauma — his mother being extremely resilient and wanting the best for him and his siblings, despite going through trauma herself, plus, Morris went through emotional and physical abuse from his father. The big bang of the Blue Heart Foundation occurred eight years ago and similar to our expanding universe, the organization expanded with various partnerships and sponsors to help tomorrow’s workers, bosses, executives, and entrepreneurs. The Blue Heart Foundation was started with the help of Morris and his then-wife, April Ray, and other peers and professors who supported the organization early on. Morris is inspired by Barack Obama, Malcolm X, Jesus Christ, Buddha, and many other and philosophical beings. Other things that help him get through the impossible are sleep and resistance. In the case of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was rugged. He knew that morale will come together if he never quits. Morris allows mistakes as a learning mechanism and knows that God, or any being, works people. You will gain or lose faith over time, but at least believe in yourself. If you start with yourself, get some sleep, and allow for mistakes, there is a possibility of bouncing back from a rough patch.
For those who are interested in starting a new business, Morris advises to keep a regular day job, and have patience and persevere. Coming from a man who had a full-time job for six to seven years before the Blue Heart Foundation, juggling a job and brainstorming plans for an up-and-coming business is tedious. When you start your business or organization, there will be a lot of nay-sayers who will discourage you or be jealous of you. His definition of success is to see others succeed and change their lives for the better. In other words, help them to get to the next level of their lives and stay up there with happiness and love.
Morris prefers to be remembered as someone who sees the good in others and gives the benefit of the doubt. People can fall off, go through tragedies, or run out of fuel to their fire at any time. When their greatness manifests, it will come to them. It is up to the mentors and teachers to believe in them. As for his final statement, his public service announcement to the world is, “[the importance] to believe the best in everybody until you cannot believe anymore. Do not question that [or any] shit, believe that you are good. Do not let people crap on your mind or work because people are judgy. Be and stay in your lane.” With his wisdom and leadership, I know he will do more great things for the youth.
For anyone interested in this organization or who wants to show support, please click here to go to The Blue Heart Foundation’s website for more information.
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