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Max connected with the Emily K Center at the beginning, when the idea was starting to take shape. He learned about the vision for the Center while working for Coach K as a student manager for Duke’s men’s basketball team. This experience led him to attend the Emily K Center’s groundbreaking ceremony in 2003. After years of living elsewhere, Max jumped back in when he returned to Durham and is currently serving as a member of our Board of Directors.

The Emily K Center’s work to expand access to education resonates with Max, who considers himself fortunate to have had educational opportunities throughout his life that shaped him positively. As Max explains, “Knowing how important the impact of educational opportunities, leadership training, and career orientation was for me and many others, I want to share these opportunities with our Durham’s youth. The Emily K Center helps make that happen.”

Among Max’s many memories with the Center, one stands above the rest – the 2003 groundbreaking. “We all knew that day that the idea and vision for the Center would become a reality,” says Max. “We also knew that a community of people were poised to support the Center. What I didn’t know is how touched I’d be to hear the stories of our students over the years, and how proud I am of them as individuals.”

Looking ahead, Max hopes the Center will have long-term sustainability and scale to reach as many of Durham’s youth as possible. Above all, he wants each student to find their path in life.

In one sentence, Max sums up what the Emily K Center means to him: “The Emily K Center represents the hope I have for the world’s youth, but with a direct impact on our youth here at home in Durham, NC.”

Read more stories at emilyk.org/20-years