We make our life by what we give." – Dr. Benjamin Elijah Mays
As an Atlanta native, Marcus-Tor has seen the highs and lows of the African American diaspora in his own back yard. From the age of 6, his parents have instilled in him the importance of giving back not only in kind, but above and beyond when possible. His earliest memory of being involved in the community is participating in the Hosea
Williams Feed the Hungry initiatives during the Christmas and Thanksgiving holidays. “Taking that time as a child to see the struggle of others really made me sad and also motivated me to make sure 1) my family didn’t have to struggle and 2) if I could do anything to help others not struggle, I would.”
This mentality carried through adolescence for Marcus-Tor as he led initiatives to give back through the National Society of Black Engineers chapter he help start in his high school as well as being active with Hands on Atlanta and his back bone the Feed the Hungry Projects. While attending Morehouse College and the Missouri University of Technology (Missouri S&T) Marcus-Tor didn’t let his pursuit of a degree in Mathematics and Electrical Engineering halt his mission to give back in any capacity he could. From organizing group and fraternity events with groups such as the Salvation Army and Boys and Girls club of America to small deeds such as using his mechanical inclination to fix friend’s cars when they had no money and tutoring students in his free time. There is no form of giving that this young man finds too menial or subordinate.
“Now that I am on a path to sustaining my prodigy, it is time to build my legacy…” As a corporate engineer, Marcus-Tor is on a path to ensure his family is secure and ready to build a legacy that will last for generations; he is looking to help others as he has been helped to reach for his dreams. As one of the primary organizers for The Clorox Companies 2013 “MLK Day of Service,” Marcus-Tor had his first major event to give back to his community and his world.
“If my giving inspires one person to move a rock, then eventually we will move mountains.”
