Today we’d like to introduce you to Antwoine Clark.
Antwoine, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I founded South Side Wildcats in 2010 because I wanted to meet a need for Christ-centered youth outreach in my childhood community. I grew up without a support system to give me the direction I needed to be successful. Instead, I followed a path to drugs, alcohol, thieving, and failing school. I want to create a different experience for the young men and women in our community. When I look at the neighborhoods where I grew up, I see myself in groups of young people who are headed down the same path I took.
The South Side Wildcat program is my best effort to guide our children in the right direction through sports and a loving Christ-centered support system. My commitment to creating this reality was established when the South Side Wildcats was incorporated as a 501(c) (3) nonprofit in May 2015.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. Leading an organization without consistent funding was one of the most challenging tasks, as sustainability was always in question. There were seasons when we weren’t sure if we could even provide students with the basics, like uniforms, and that wasn’t very encouraging. Since our program was free for all students, resources were always stretched thin, and we had to be creative in how we made it work.
Another ongoing challenge was parent engagement, which made transportation and logistics even harder to manage. Additionally, we began without a physical space, which meant we had to constantly think outside the box about where and how programming could continue. And as with many community-based efforts, volunteer commitment was not always consistent, which put even more weight on the small core of dedicated supporters.
While these struggles were real and sometimes overwhelming, they also pushed us to innovate, to strengthen our commitment, and to truly build resilience. Those seasons taught me the value of resourcefulness, perseverance, and the power of community partnerships. The obstacles shaped not just the organization, but me as a leader, reminding me that meaningful impact often comes with growing pains.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At my core, I am in the business of building people. For more than 15 years, I’ve worked at the intersection of human services, workforce development, and community engagement, helping individuals and organizations unlock potential they didn’t even know they had. In my current role as Employee Development Manager at the Binghampton Development Corporation, I specialize in cultivating growth pathways for employees, ensuring that professional development isn’t just a box we check but a transformative experience that strengthens both the employee and the organization.
I’m also the Founder and Executive Director of the South Side Wildcats, a youth mentoring and leadership organization in South Memphis. Through that work, I’m known for creating environments where young people see themselves as leaders, contributors, and visionaries for their own future.
What I’m most proud of is the impact I’ve been able to drive across generations, helping both employees and young people not only achieve but also believe in what’s possible. I’m intentional about combining strategic vision with relational depth; in other words, I don’t just design programs, I build cultures of trust and momentum that people want to be a part of.
What sets me apart is my ability to operate as both strategist and practitioner. I’m equally comfortable in the boardroom, designing systems, as I am in the community, mentoring a student on a football field. That dual capacity—bridging vision and execution, systems and people—has been my leadership signature. Ultimately, I’m driven by one guiding principle: when people thrive, organizations and communities flourish.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
When it comes to mentorship, I believe it’s wise not to rely on just one person, but instead cultivate a circle of mentors who each speak into different areas of your life. For me, that looks like having someone I can lean on for marriage advice, another who helps sharpen my business acumen, and another who provides godly counsel. Each voice helps refine a part of my character, but I never try to become them. Instead, I take the pieces that resonate with who I naturally am, and allow those lessons to cultivate what’s already inside me.
In terms of networking, what has worked well for me is prioritizing authentic relationships. I don’t approach people with a ‘what can I get?’ mindset. I focus on truly seeing them for who they are. I’ve found that when you connect on genuine common ground, friendships and opportunities flow naturally. Some of the most incredible connections I’ve made have come simply by showing up as my true self and letting authenticity lead the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://southsidewildcats.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WHATISTHEGOAL
