GOLDLAW and Inner City Innovators Present John Wilkerson With The Inaugural Coach Fox ‘I CAN’ Award
GOLDLAW and Inner City Innovators Present John Wilkerson With The Inaugural Coach Fox ‘I CAN’ Award
GOLDLAW and Inner City Innovators Present John Wilkerson With The Inaugural Coach Fox ‘I CAN’ Award
On Thursday, March 6, Craig Goldenfarb, Esq., founder and CEO of GOLDLAW, was honored to present John Wilkerson, a dedicated and inspiring mentee in Inner City Innovators’ Hope Dealer Mentoring Program, as the first recipient of the Coach Fox ‘I CAN’ Award, at GOLDLAW’s office in West Palm Beach, Florida. GOLDLAW funded a $1,000 grant to accompany the award.
At the award ceremony, Wilkerson shared his inspiring story in front of his family and friends, GOLDLAW’s team and Inner City Innovators’ team, including Founder and Executive Director Ricky Aiken, Programs Director Norman Austin, Operations Manager Chelsea Koester and Program Mentors David Rae, Mavis Pettway, and Shacoya Key.
The Coach Fox Resilience Award was established to honor and recognize an exemplary Hope Dealer mentee who demonstrates outstanding commitment to Inner City Innovators’ core values of resilience, empathy, authenticity, and leadership. The award also acknowledges their embodiment of the organization’s anti-violence workshop principles of being SAFE (Smart about who they surround themselves with, Alert to their surroundings, Fearless about getting out of life-threatening situations, and Engaged in the fight to end gun violence in their communities).
Wilkerson’s journey with Inner City Innovators began five years ago as a mentee. Through perseverance, he has risen to the role of peer mentor, fully embodying what it means to be a Hope Dealer in both word and action. Growing up in a home shaped by the same challenges many of the organization’s mentees face, his story is one of resilience and transformation. Without his father in his life, Wilkerson made a personal vow that his younger siblings would never have to navigate life without a strong, positive male influence. Today, he is not only a steady presence for his family but also a role model for the next generation, dedicating his time to mentoring younger participants in the program.
At the ceremony, Aiken shared, “My proudest moment was when John showed up to the mentoring program with his little brothers and sisters. That’s when you know how proud a young person is to be a part of something—when they say, ‘I don’t just need this for me; my family needs this.’”
Beyond his commitment as a mentor, Wilkerson has also been a powerful advocate for change, using his voice to amplify the mission of Inner City Innovators. One of his proudest moments was speaking at the Bridging Intersections National Convention in Louisville, Kentucky, hosted by Cities United and the Annie E. Casey Foundation. On a national stage, he shared his story and vision, leaving a profound impact on all who heard him.
“We are honored to partner with Inner City Innovators to fund the grant for the inaugural Coach Fox ‘I CAN’ Award,” said Goldenfarb. “We’ve been inspired by the work that Inner City Innovators is doing for our local community through its Hope Dealer Mentoring Program and beyond. John is the epitome of resilience, empathy, authenticity and leadership, and he serves as a wonderful role model for younger generations. We look forward to continuing to grow this program for mentees just like him.”
Goldenfarb continued at the ceremony, “A day like this, for me, is about impacting an organization, a charity, or a wonderful leader like this in some community. I like to surround myself with people like Ricky Aiken, who is a good soul and doing a lot for the world. This world is a tough place right now, and the only thing I can do about it is continue surrounding myself with people who are making a positive impact in the community. You get so much more when you give.”
The award was named after Coach Fox, who was a revered mentor and community leader who dedicated his life to uplifting and guiding the youth in our community. His legacy is marked by his unwavering commitment to fostering resilience, leadership, and a spirit of unity among young people. Coach Fox’s efforts have left an indelible mark on countless lives, inspiring the next generation to rise above challenges and contribute positively to their communities.
Wilkerson embodies everything Coach Fox stood for such as resilience in the face of adversity, leadership amid challenges and an unbreakable commitment to making a difference. His dedication is proof that real change happens when those who need it most take the lead.
About GOLDLAW:
Founded in 2002, GOLDLAW has offices in West Palm Beach and Port St. Lucie, FL., and represents clients injured in auto accidents, slip-and-falls, nursing home abuse, inadequate security, or any other incident where someone’s negligence causes another person to be injured or killed. With more than 300 combined years of legal experience, we’re prepared to handle any personal injury case in Florida. Visit GOLDLAW.com or call (561) 222-2222.
About Inner City Innovators:
Inner City Innovators is dedicated to breaking the cycle of youth delinquency and gun violence in Palm Beach County through mentoring, outreach, and leadership development. Our programs empower young people to become the change their communities need by fostering resilience, self-determination, and collective action. For more information, visit https://innercityinnovators.org/
