Mr. Rodney Thomas, who works in the law enforcement field, is a 4T's alum. As a youth, he greatly contributed to establishing the foundation of the organization as well as its growth. Mr. Thomas believes that 4T's helped him get on the track to entrepreneurship and continues to recognize the importance of education in his life and in the lives of youth today. Below is an interview with Mr. Thomas about his experiences with entrepreneurship and education.
-Samantha Phillips
1. Can you provide a brief overview of your career – positions, companies, etc.? What motivated you to pursue this career path?
I’ve been in law enforcement since 1993. My first law enforcement job was with the New York City Hospital Police working at Lincoln Hospital in the Bronx. My first arrest was for a guy brandishing a weapon. After that I was hooked. Then in May of 1995 I got a job with the Dept. of Justice Federal Bureau of Prisons as Correctional Officer working out of Metropolitan Correctional Center in Lower Manhattan. There I learned how to talk and deal with violent situations without using a weapon.
Then my career took a sudden turn. In 1996 I received an opportunity to work real investigations cases working for the Dept. of Justice Immigration and Naturalization Service in Miami Florida as a Federal Officer. I conducted High Risk Escorts of Criminal Illegal Aliens overseas and throughout the United States. I also developed policies and procedures to start a Gang Intelligence Unit working in Miami, Florida. Here I learned so much about a variety of cultures. I loved working and having the ability to actually take bad guys off the streets.
In 2000 I left law enforcement for personal reasons and returned in 2001 back in NYC working with the Federal Reserve Police conducting dignity Protection for government officials as a Federal Police Officer. I worked Federal Reserve Police until 2008. I guess I just fell into this career. I actually never wanted anything to do with law enforcement. This is the one career that chose me.
2. Can you provide a brief overview of your education and how it did, or did not, prepare you for your career?
I am now pursuing my Bachelor of Science degree in Forensic Psychology. Forensic Psychology for me plays a very important role. I have dealt with so many individuals with different mindsets, from a person who has committed a minor offense to your Felony driven individuals. Knowing the criminal element is so important for me.
3. Could you describe your experience with 4T’s and how it may have benefited you?
I started with 4T’s back in 1990, brainstorming with Mr. Kayode Bentley in his room back in the Bronx. Kayode brought an idea to me about fashion shows and empowering our youth. I didn’t know anything about fashion nor did I did know how to reach the youth. I was still young myself. Kayode gave me a blue print to follow and the rest is history. He gave me an opportunity to change lives in a positive way.
The benefits I received from 4T’s are I learned how to be an Entrepreneur -- being a business owner is what I learned from Kayode Bentley and 4T’s. 4T’s gave me the ability to start my own business using the skills that I acquired from my law enforcement career.
4. Why should someone consider participating in 4T’s programs or learning more about the organization?
I would suggest to anyone who is serious about learning how to survive in this world by being able to pursue your dreams that 4T’s is an organization you want to be a part of. 4T’s teaches you how to obtain your dreams and how to conduct yourself. Reaching the youths of today is not easy. 4T’s exudes style, class, finesse, and also True to The Trade.
5. In your own words, why is receiving an education important?
Getting a proper education is so important today. It’s needed to excel in corporate America. But at the same time Life experience is paramount to education as well.
6. What advice would you give to yourself in high school?
I would tell myself, ‘Please stay in school. Get that High School Diploma. It is very important to receive.’ Which I did achieve, and I am proud that I did.
Please share your reactions to these experiences of a 4T's alum.
-Samantha Phillips
1. Can you provide a brief overview of your career – positions, companies, etc.? What motivated you to pursue this career path?
I’ve been in law enforcement since 1993. My first law enforcement job was with the New York City Hospital Police working at Lincoln Hospital in the Bronx. My first arrest was for a guy brandishing a weapon. After that I was hooked. Then in May of 1995 I got a job with the Dept. of Justice Federal Bureau of Prisons as Correctional Officer working out of Metropolitan Correctional Center in Lower Manhattan. There I learned how to talk and deal with violent situations without using a weapon.
Then my career took a sudden turn. In 1996 I received an opportunity to work real investigations cases working for the Dept. of Justice Immigration and Naturalization Service in Miami Florida as a Federal Officer. I conducted High Risk Escorts of Criminal Illegal Aliens overseas and throughout the United States. I also developed policies and procedures to start a Gang Intelligence Unit working in Miami, Florida. Here I learned so much about a variety of cultures. I loved working and having the ability to actually take bad guys off the streets.
In 2000 I left law enforcement for personal reasons and returned in 2001 back in NYC working with the Federal Reserve Police conducting dignity Protection for government officials as a Federal Police Officer. I worked Federal Reserve Police until 2008. I guess I just fell into this career. I actually never wanted anything to do with law enforcement. This is the one career that chose me.
2. Can you provide a brief overview of your education and how it did, or did not, prepare you for your career?
I am now pursuing my Bachelor of Science degree in Forensic Psychology. Forensic Psychology for me plays a very important role. I have dealt with so many individuals with different mindsets, from a person who has committed a minor offense to your Felony driven individuals. Knowing the criminal element is so important for me.
3. Could you describe your experience with 4T’s and how it may have benefited you?
I started with 4T’s back in 1990, brainstorming with Mr. Kayode Bentley in his room back in the Bronx. Kayode brought an idea to me about fashion shows and empowering our youth. I didn’t know anything about fashion nor did I did know how to reach the youth. I was still young myself. Kayode gave me a blue print to follow and the rest is history. He gave me an opportunity to change lives in a positive way.
The benefits I received from 4T’s are I learned how to be an Entrepreneur -- being a business owner is what I learned from Kayode Bentley and 4T’s. 4T’s gave me the ability to start my own business using the skills that I acquired from my law enforcement career.
4. Why should someone consider participating in 4T’s programs or learning more about the organization?
I would suggest to anyone who is serious about learning how to survive in this world by being able to pursue your dreams that 4T’s is an organization you want to be a part of. 4T’s teaches you how to obtain your dreams and how to conduct yourself. Reaching the youths of today is not easy. 4T’s exudes style, class, finesse, and also True to The Trade.
5. In your own words, why is receiving an education important?
Getting a proper education is so important today. It’s needed to excel in corporate America. But at the same time Life experience is paramount to education as well.
6. What advice would you give to yourself in high school?
I would tell myself, ‘Please stay in school. Get that High School Diploma. It is very important to receive.’ Which I did achieve, and I am proud that I did.
Please share your reactions to these experiences of a 4T's alum.
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