GREENSBORO, N.C. — What began a decade ago as a small gesture to ease the back-to-school burden for families has now become one of the most anticipated community events in the Triad. On Sunday, August 10, 2025, Heads Up For Our Youth (HUFOY) celebrated its milestone 10th Annual Back to School Rally at the First Horizon Special Events Center—and it was nothing short of extraordinary.
This year’s rally shattered expectations with 2,163 registrations—an all-time record—and 1,814 attendees, filling the coliseum with excitement, pride, and purpose. Parents and children alike walked away not only with 1,000 free bookbags filled with school supplies, but also with memories of a day that blended resources, entertainment, and empowerment.
The rally hosted 34 community partners, providing families with connections to services ranging from health screenings and education support to financial literacy and arts enrichment. Among them were LegalShield / IDShield, Que the Music Performing Arts Academy, American Descendants of Slavery Advocacy Foundation, Legal Aid of NC/NC Navigator Consortium, Greensboro Fire Department, Reading Connections, RYZE Charter Academy, EMOTIONS Organization, The B Positive Movement, Triad Amateur Swim Association, Fun360°Cam, Oak Street Health, Fit Collect Athletics, Savvy Insurance Agency, NHS Program, HBCU RECRUIT, Guilford County Schools, Main Event Greensboro, Shift_ed, Triad Adult & Pediatric Medicine, Bridging Voices Therapeutic Services, GO FAR, The Kid In Me Tastee Treats, Guilford County Department of Health and Human Services, Tim Street Ministries, Beyond The Bell Podcast, Piedmont Federal Credit Union, and Sister Circle International.
The success of the milestone rally was also made possible through the generosity of key sponsors, including Truliant Federal Credit Union, Volvo Financial Services, The McKain Partnership Group, Modern Infiniti, Heads Up Barber & Beauty, Andmore, and The Headley Group Realty. Their contributions helped ensure HUFOY could provide not just resources, but a memorable experience for every family who attended.
The energy peaked with the Charity Basketball Game, where Coach Maurice Farrow’s “King of Kings” squared off against Coach Richard Lide’s “Playmakers.” In a nail-biter that had the crowd on its feet, the King of Kings clinched the win 28-26 on a dramatic go-ahead three-pointer.
For the players—local teens—stepping onto a college court for the first time was transformative. “We never played on a college court before—it felt like we were in the D-League!” one youth exclaimed. Parents echoed the sentiment, describing the atmosphere as “good energy” and “a great platform and opportunity for the team.”
The halftime show kept the adrenaline flowing with slam dunk and girls’ three-point contests, an electrifying performance from Jogg Cheer, and the ever-popular youth tug-of-war. Meanwhile, the Fun Zone was buzzing as kids tried their hand at pickleball, posed at the Fun360° cam, and tested the hockey play space from the Greensboro Gargoyles.
HUFOY also made dreams a reality by awarding three $1,000 scholarships to local students—Jordan Neal, Imani Colbert, and Jeremiah Jett. In a groundbreaking first, two youth athletes received NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals, further underscoring HUFOY’s commitment to opening doors for young people.
The milestone celebration was also a moment to reflect on leadership. Special honors included:
Excellence in Leadership Award: Chairwoman Jennifer J. Dove for her steady guidance of HUFOY’s board.
Appreciation Award: Coach Jameka Price of Jogg Cheer, recognized for her unwavering dedication since 2018.
Pioneer in Nonprofit Leadership Award: Executive Director Dwayne Shaw, for his vision and decade-long commitment to building HUFOY’s platform.
Music and entertainment filled every corner thanks to DJ Tito, who kept the crowd moving, and guest game announcer DJ Vanex, whose booming energy turned the basketball showdown into a professional-grade spectacle.
From start to finish, the event was praised for its professionalism and organization. Parents highlighted how well the event was coordinated, while youth left bragging about their medals, their court time, and the thrill of being part of something bigger.
“Everyone enjoyed themselves and all parts of the event,” one parent said. “This was more than just a rally—this was community.”
As HUFOY closed the chapter on its first decade of rallies, one thing was clear: the organization has built far more than an event. It has created a tradition, a platform, and a pipeline of opportunity for youth in Guilford County and beyond.
With record attendance, expanded resources, and unforgettable experiences, the 10th Annual Back to School Rally was a resounding success—cementing HUFOY’s legacy and leaving families already asking: What’s next year going to look like?
HUFOY’s mission is to provide economic development and educational opportunities and equality for underserved youth in Greensboro NC and surrounding areas. Through strategic partnerships with organizations, community leaders, and businesses, we create programs for the educational growth and personal development of those we serve. Our goal is to empower youth to overcome barriers, achieve academic success, and thrive in their communities, fostering a more equitable and prosperous future for all.
Everything we do is centered on the premise of making life better for the youth and their families in our community. Every positive encounter, every risky behavior that is diverted and every thoughtful choice made is a testament to the work we do. Every positive outcome for the youth we serve is a positive outcome for us all, and it is with help from caring individuals , community leaders and businesses like yours that we are able to expand our reach and create a lasting impact for our children.
This event would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors, whose contributions were key to making the rally a memorable occasion:
– Truliant Federal Credit Union
– Smart Flip
– Red Classic
– Greensboro Coliseum Complex
– Heads Up Barber and Beauty
– Batson-Cook Construction Company
– Modern Infiniti
Your partnership helped us make a lasting impact on the lives of so many young students, and for that, we are deeply grateful.
Rick Morton, DC Creighton, Tank Robinson, Kirk Thorpe, Michael McGorda, Jason Cox, Phil Lawson, Jarus Rice, Dwayne Shaw
(not show in photo Grade A Dre, Myles and Crystal)
Heads Up Barber and Beauty was more than just a place for haircuts; it was a hub of community spirit and service. Rick Morton and Dwayne Shaw, along with their team of barber brothers, had cultivated an atmosphere where conversation flowed as freely as the clippers buzzed.
One day, while Rick was deftly shaping a client’s hair, he was approached by none other than Kerry Charles, a Fox 8 News anchor. Kerry, struck by the camaraderie and sense of purpose in the barbershop, proposed an idea to Rick: What if they offered free haircuts to a group of students in need?
Rick, always receptive to opportunities to give back, immediately embraced the idea. And thus, the Big Brother Barber program was born. With the support of Dwayne and their barber brothers, they began offering free haircuts to students, coupled with mentorship and guidance.
The program quickly gained traction, with each event drawing more students and volunteers eager to make a difference. As word spread, so did the impact of the program, touching the lives of countless young individuals in the community.
However, Rick, Dwayne, and their team realized that there was more they could do to support the youth in their community. They saw a need for financial literacy education and resources, recognizing that empowerment went beyond just a fresh haircut.
So, they expanded their efforts, launching the Financial Literacy Program to equip young people with the knowledge and skills they needed to navigate their financial futures confidently.
But they didn’t stop there. They knew that education was key to breaking the cycle of poverty and empowering young people to reach their full potential. And so, they established the Annual Back to School Rally, providing students with essential school supplies and resources to start the academic year off right.
To date, the impact of Heads Up For Our Youth continues to grow, touching the lives of countless young people in Greensboro and beyond. From humble beginnings in a barbershop to a thriving nonprofit organization, Rick, Dwayne, and their team remain committed to uplifting and empowering the youth in their community, one haircut, one lesson, and one school supply at a time.
© 2022 Heads Up For Our Youth All Rights Reserved.
501(c)(3) Nonprofit, Tax I.D. 47-3146377
