Vaughn A. Arrington
Vaughn Antoine Arrington is a senior student and Servant Leader at Marygrove College, studying to receive a bachelor’s degree in Social Work, although his ultimate goal is to receive a Doctorate in theology. His education will aid him in his life goal to conduct international life changing outreach programs for misguided youth.
Born and raised on Detroit’s west side, Vaughn dealt with hardship at an early age. He was born into a broken, drug dealing family saturated in abuse. His home environment created a distorted teenager, who two days after reaching the age of 16, was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Vaughn’s two closest friends were killed during his time away. Vaughn, remolded by the hands of God, overcame his past to create of himself a man of kindness, strength and integrity.
After being released in December of 2007, Vaughn walked straight to Marygrove College and began studying Social Work as a registered student in January. He became one of the most active students on campus, the former Student Life Director Lesley Jackson speculated that Vaughn reached a record number of awards for any student at the college in their first semester, including being honored as student leader of the year. His latest personal endeavor is learning the intricacies of local government while working as a Leadership Forum coordinator/teacher with Charles Pugh, President of the Detroit City Council at Frederick Douglas College Preparatory school in Detroit.
Vaughn, a graduate of Matrix Human Services was able to use his past as a tool for outreach. He is a prominent and sought after mentor/public speaker who facilitates a Christian workshop called: “The Five Keys of Leadership”. In 2009 he accepted two powerful invitations to host this workshop; one from the President of the Highland Park branch of the NAACP to work with inner city high school students, the other at an annual national convention in Chicago put together by Marygrove’s director of the Student Support Services where he worked with college students, faculty and staff across the nation. In 2010 he hosted a workshop at FOCUS HOPE with Follow the Leader, gave Servant Leadership Training with Sister Barbera Beesely IHM at Marygrove College, fulfilled a request to speak by the UAW at their 2010 “Get Out to Vote” rally and accepted a request by Council President Pugh to deliver a speech at the Wayne County Juvenile Detention Facility. Weekly, Vaughn co-hosts a male leadership forum with the Detroit City Council President at Frederick Douglass Academy. He has been interviewed on the television show: “Michigan Citizen” for his outstanding example of change and his mentoring work has been written about in several media outlets throughout the city of Detroit.
Always pursuing leadership refinement, Vaughn has received leadership training in various places including: Amsterdam, Antwerp, London, Chester, Liverpool and Manchester. He has found that great social and political leaders across the world are the greatest servants.
He is a faithful member of “LifeChurchSouthfield” ministries core team, dynamic public speaker and President of two of his own companies “The Human Flyers” and “Dee Jays Entertainment Group”, which has given employment to numerous college students from Detroit and the metro area. Vaughn is also the President of a Non-Profit organization entitled “Team Strength”. While Vaughn has received a plethora of recognition, his strongest desire is to be recognized for continuing to create change even after death.
Born and raised on Detroit’s west side, Vaughn dealt with hardship at an early age. He was born into a broken, drug dealing family saturated in abuse. His home environment created a distorted teenager, who two days after reaching the age of 16, was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Vaughn’s two closest friends were killed during his time away. Vaughn, remolded by the hands of God, overcame his past to create of himself a man of kindness, strength and integrity.
After being released in December of 2007, Vaughn walked straight to Marygrove College and began studying Social Work as a registered student in January. He became one of the most active students on campus, the former Student Life Director Lesley Jackson speculated that Vaughn reached a record number of awards for any student at the college in their first semester, including being honored as student leader of the year. His latest personal endeavor is learning the intricacies of local government while working as a Leadership Forum coordinator/teacher with Charles Pugh, President of the Detroit City Council at Frederick Douglas College Preparatory school in Detroit.
Vaughn, a graduate of Matrix Human Services was able to use his past as a tool for outreach. He is a prominent and sought after mentor/public speaker who facilitates a Christian workshop called: “The Five Keys of Leadership”. In 2009 he accepted two powerful invitations to host this workshop; one from the President of the Highland Park branch of the NAACP to work with inner city high school students, the other at an annual national convention in Chicago put together by Marygrove’s director of the Student Support Services where he worked with college students, faculty and staff across the nation. In 2010 he hosted a workshop at FOCUS HOPE with Follow the Leader, gave Servant Leadership Training with Sister Barbera Beesely IHM at Marygrove College, fulfilled a request to speak by the UAW at their 2010 “Get Out to Vote” rally and accepted a request by Council President Pugh to deliver a speech at the Wayne County Juvenile Detention Facility. Weekly, Vaughn co-hosts a male leadership forum with the Detroit City Council President at Frederick Douglass Academy. He has been interviewed on the television show: “Michigan Citizen” for his outstanding example of change and his mentoring work has been written about in several media outlets throughout the city of Detroit.
Always pursuing leadership refinement, Vaughn has received leadership training in various places including: Amsterdam, Antwerp, London, Chester, Liverpool and Manchester. He has found that great social and political leaders across the world are the greatest servants.
He is a faithful member of “LifeChurchSouthfield” ministries core team, dynamic public speaker and President of two of his own companies “The Human Flyers” and “Dee Jays Entertainment Group”, which has given employment to numerous college students from Detroit and the metro area. Vaughn is also the President of a Non-Profit organization entitled “Team Strength”. While Vaughn has received a plethora of recognition, his strongest desire is to be recognized for continuing to create change even after death.