This week’s Featured Volunteer is Aisha Raison. Check out our Q&A with Aisha.

What are some lessons that you’ve learned from volunteering in Memphis?

I remember my grandmother telling me, before she passed away in 92, that she saw me as a teacher, but I never took that seriously. For years, I ran from it. I became a poet, a writer and worked in radio. When I was approached to become a mentor for the Grizzlies Foundation with Hattiloo Theatre’s Write On Speak Out, it started off like any job…awkward at first, then amazing. These kids have so many goals and dreams, and to watch even my first mentees grow has been a huge gift to me. Some started off shy, quiet, not knowing how to express themselves to setting the world on fire today.

How has volunteering impacted you? 

I’m a different person than I was in 2014. When you’ve raised a son to be a great person in society to follow his dreams, it gives you life. So imagine after your son goes to college and raising MORE. Guiding them in the right direction, giving them the knowledge I had while growing as a poet, a writer and that once shy and awkward person.

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