Our Cause
This campaign will be used to support the first launch of the Finding Me reading program. The program will kick off in Howard County, Maryland, the hometown of program founder and former Washington Redskins player, Darnerien McCants.
McCants was moved to start this program by the unfortunate reality that "2/3 of students who cannot read proficiently by the end of 4th grade will end up in jail or on welfare."(1) This campaign is the first step in growing an impactful program that will reduce juvenile delinquency through the power of reading.
Join us in making a difference by donating today!
Advisory Committee
Darnerien McCants
Founder
With over a decade of experience as a professional and collegiate athlete, Darnerien McCants has consistently demonstrated his passion, vision, dedication, and diligence toward reaching his goals. As a result of his successful athletic career and his compassionate coaching career, Mr. McCants has earned the respect and love from his fellow community members. Through this relationship with his community, Mr. McCants felt a calling to do more for those who have less.
Utilizing both his collegiate and professional athletic experience, Darnerien serves as CEO of McCants Sports and Fitness, a program that offers services to athletes 6 and older aimed at developing young minds and bodies. Focusing on fundamentals and techniques that translate to multiple sports he has mentored and coached several athletes enabling them to reach their goals. He promotes a holistic approach to fitness, believing that it is a lifestyle of training the mind to train the body.
A star athlete at Delaware State University, Darnerien was named D1AA All American for breaking several DSU and MEAC records, earning him an opportunity to be the 5th round draft choice to the Washington Redskins. While in the National Football League, he was named NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year and Washingtonian of the year by Washingtonian Magazine. As a Philadelphia Eagle, he hosted a coat drive for the Salvation Army raising over 3000 coats for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Always looking to give back to society, Darnerien has been involved in numerous community and charity programs. Mr. McCants also started the Darnerien McCants, Finish Strong Endowment at Delaware State University and donated an additional $50,000 to the football team and art department.
Continuing his journey of service to his community he is teaming up with United Charitable to go nationwide with the Finding Me Foundation geared toward reducing delinquency through a young readers program.
Richard Mason
Committee Member
Richard Mason has been coaching others to personal, academic, business, athletic, and even relationship success for over 20 years!
With a Master of Science degree and his affinity for excellence, Coach Mason quickly climbed the corporate ladder holding various management positions within the pharmaceutical industry.
In addition to his corporate career, Richard desired to help others (especially young men) achieve. He used his corporate knowledge and leadership skill to create and co-create an array of varying successful businesses; including an athletic development and management firm, a financial investment group, and an entertainment event center.
Donald Wallace
Committee Member
Accomplished financial management and accounting professional with over 10 years of combined professional experience within the Healthcare Finance, Mortgage, and Insurance industries. Significant experience in conducting and reconciling audits, implementing the revenue cycle in large organizations, and performing financial and budget analysis to maximize revenue and identify opportunities for efficiency. A sought-after leader with experience in training staff and leading cross-functional teams.
Help Us Reach
Our Goals
Through Your Generous Donations
We know you have to start small but dream BIG, and that's exactly what we're doing!
Our Short Term Goals are to provide students with the resources they need for school right now. Things such as backpacks and school supplies. We also want to start a program that helps neighborhoods incorporate pop up libraries.
Our Long Term Goal is to one day have a Darnerien McCants Education and Athletic facility so kids have a safe place to go to learn and grow as individuals.
Sponsorship Levels
Join us in building a Young Readers Club
"Give a kid a book, and you change the world. In a way, even the universe."
Niel deGrasse Tyson
Champions for Change
Sponsors
The Dennis Family Charitable Fund
Chris Garza
Donor List
Kyle Pequeno & Team
The Healey Family
The Gardner Family
Donald Wallace
Jerome Jones
Chico Bennett
Crystal Charly
Richard Babuschak
Nick Weltmann
Basil Soutos
Eugene Broadus
Deryl Holden
Trevis McCullough
Sheila McKie
Paula McCreary
Michael Early
Rodger and Jamira Mollon
Michael Carter
Dante Jones
Stephanie Davis
Zachry Harden
Trinita Coefield
James Matthews
Tiera Gilder
Words of Support
Deryl Holden
"Helping the foundation and helping young readers. Blessings upon blessings to Danerien for taking upon the great opportunity to help kids.
Tiera Gilder
"We are avid supporters of reading within our marriage and improving literacy among youth.
Finding Me is a dynamic organization, founded by someone who has always displayed a sincere passion for empowering our youth!!! We are so proud of Darnerien!
The Gardner Family
"Knowledge is power,
and reading is a fundamental part of gaining knowledge. What Darnerien McCants and the Finding Me Foundation is doing to instill the importance of reading to our young generation is commendable and I fully support this effort!
