Meet Our founder

Reggie McNeil grew up facing many of the same obstacles confronting youth today. Through opportunity, hard work, and mentors in his professional career, he overcame those early challenges and enjoyed a 20 year run in logistics and supply chain management. These cumulative experiences sparked a dream in Mr. McNeil to make a difference in the lives of others and inspired him to found Transforming Youth Movement (TYM) in 2014. 

Reggie’s background in business and passion for youth have proven instrumental in building strategic partnerships and offering fresh perspectives. His innovative approach was recognized in 2020 when he secured 1st place in Social Venture Partners' SEED20, a competition highlighting breakthrough ideas that attack issues of social and economic inequality.

In addition to his role as TYM’s Executive Director, Reggie co-chairs System of Care in Mecklenburg, Union & Rowan Counties. He is also actively involved in Juvenile Justice Behavioral Health, Workforce Development, NC Works, Race Matters for Juvenile Justice, and the Trauma Resource Institute, where he earned a certification in the Community Resiliency Model.

Reggie understands that those closest to the problems in our community are often farthest from the power and resources needed to solve them. He is on a mission to “connect the dots” across multiple systems and believes working together towards change will produce the greatest impact. 

How to increase social capital and upward mobility for justice-involved youth by connecting them to prosocial opportunities.