EDITOR’S NOTE: In honor of Norfolk, Virginia Businessman Raymond Colston’s immeasurable strides as the Director of Coach Ray Inspires, Making Headline News deemed it necessary to label this our Annual Memorial Day Weekend Special Report
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things. (Philippians 4:8 NIV)
GOD-ORDERED STEPS
According to Raymond Colston, he and God have this two-way communication thing down pat.
In fact, Colston doesn’t shy away from the notion that he’s become accustomed to taking direction instructions from his Creator literally every single day.
“Because God tells me to every morning,” Colston, a certified life coach, told Making Headline News, when asked why it is imperative to esteem others daily, as we are commanded according to Philippians 2:3. “Once God told me He created me to be more than just a coach, I haven’t looked back. He birthed me to inspire and make sure the next generation becomes better every day.”
To his distinctly unique credit, Colston, 38, has gone to great lengths to carry out his God-mandated purpose, most notably as the face of Coach Ray Inspires, his Norfolk, Virginia-based youth empowerment practice that is committed to helping youths become the best version of themselves, according to detailed synopsis of his organization at https://www.coachrayinspires.com/.
MORE ON COLSTON: https://www.coachrayinspires.com/
Through his featured endeavor, Colston has become greatly empowered to provide a variety of tools, strategies, and support for the youth. This is done mostly by working with what he appropriately describes as the “four most important factors” in their lives: teachers, parents, community, and self-confidence.
And then there is his venture’s mission statement, which is designed to use what Colston labels “the H.E.A.R, L.O.V.E, and L.E.V.E.L methods” to connect the four pillars of a successful youth.
“We can not only help prepare the youth to become better people,” Colston said. “We can also detour them from making bad decisions that can affect them in the long-term.”
LEADING BY EXAMPLE
As Colston acknowledged, he’s been “extremely passionate” about helping the youth for more than a decade.
“I started working with the youth at 18 years old when I started coaching youth football,” Colston explains. Since then, I have worked in education for over 16 years starting as a Teacher’s Assistant in Special Education, Student Support Specialist and currently an ISS Coordinator.
Along with working in education, I have coached football for over 19 years on the youth, middle, and high school levels.”
EXTRA POINT
In fact, coaching football, by all accounts, is what fueled Colston’s competitive drive to establish his coaching venture, one that is steadily become a beacon of light, especially for the millennials.
“I believe that there are four pillars in the life of the youth that if all are working together on one accord can ensure the success of any student.
For his contributions to aiding today’s youths, Colston in May 2020 was selected as the Mentor of The Month for the month by Semper Fidelis Marine Corp’s All-American Program. Also, that year, he was recipient of the Black Men of Excellence Awards for Best Male Mentor and Best Author.
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Currently, Colston serves as a leader in the Student and Family Ministry at Norfolk’s Calvary Revival Church.
For Colston, family supported has contributed mightily to his success.
For starters, his wife, Angela Taylor-Colston, helped him published his first book, a development that has given way to the Norfolk native having composed three books to date.
“(Others who have inspired me to fulfill my goals and ambitions are) my father and my mom — who were my day one —- my uncle and mentor, Glen Yearling, who got me involved with the youth after I graduated high school,” Colston said. “And, of course, my children: Brianna and Vance and my (bonus daughter), Madison.”
Currently enrolled at Regent University, where he’s studying Psychology, Colston’s Coach Ray Inspires has been operations since 2018.
The best days, he said, are well ahead of his featured endeavor.
“Yes! Take every moment you can and make sure the youth know you care,” Colston said. “We can’t change the atmosphere by just standing…by watching. We have to be active and intentional.”
As far as he’s concerned, we’ve got to do thing until we’ve got it down pat.
FAMILY FOCUS
A RELATED STORY
For more information about Norfolk, Virginia Author Raymond Colston of Coach Ray Inspires, to inquire about his services, to order his books, or to schedule him for a public appearance or book signing, call 757.450.0234 or connect with him via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coachrayinspires; Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lstokes44/?hl=en; Twitter: https://twitter.com/coachrayinspire; Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachrayinspires/. Also, send email to: [email protected].
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Andre Johnson is the award-winning Founder and Publisher for Making Headline News. A 2000 graduate of the University of Memphis School of Journalism and a former staff reporter of sports for the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper, Johnson covers the NBA Southwest Division from Dallas, Texas. To reach Johnson, send email to [email protected] or to [email protected]. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist or Instagram at @makingheadlinenews.