Willie Hines, Jr
3rd Director of Project ENRICH (August 2009 – June 2020)
Willie Hines, Jr
DIRECTOR (2009 – 2020)
Willie Hines, Jr. served as the third director of Project ENRICH from August 2009 to June 2020, leaving a profound impact on the program through innovative initiatives and a commitment to student success. Under his leadership, several key enhancements were introduced, including the establishment of Team Leads for each grade level, the development of student portfolios incorporating a College Board checklist, GPA tracking, goal-setting exercises, and vision boards. Additionally, he created the Parents Club to foster greater parental involvement, leveraged Gamma Pi Brothers as speakers for the Opening and Closing Programs, introduced the 30-Second Elevator Speech to sharpen students' communication skills, and organized site visits to the United States Naval Academy to broaden students' perspectives on higher education and career opportunities.
One of the major challenges Hines faced was low parental engagement, as many parents would drop off their children and leave. To address this, he transformed the Parents Club into a platform where parents could share their scholastic and collegiate experiences, increasing awareness and participation. Over time, the Parents Club evolved into a key contributor to Career Day and played a central role in leading workshops on interview techniques and résumé writing.
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His vision was to mold Project ENRICH students into lifelong learners who mastered the soft skills necessary for global success. He emphasized self-advocacy and ensured students developed the ability to win and influence people through initiatives like the 30-Second Elevator Speech. He also introduced panel discussions where students debated relevant topics, further enhancing their critical thinking and communication skills. Hines prioritized engagement from the Gamma Pi Brotherhood, tapping into their professional resources to expand students’ collegiate and career opportunities.
One of his most memorable moments was a collaborative effort with Bro. James Wyatt, Founder of the Nannie Helen Burroughs Project. During a closing program, the American Automobile Association (AAA) posthumously awarded a membership to Nannie Helen Burroughs, a civil rights pioneer who had been denied AAA membership due to her race. This event highlighted the impact of Project ENRICH and brought national attention to the program. Additionally, Dr. Harrison Foye played a pivotal role in securing four full scholarships to Tennessee State University, marking a significant achievement under Hines' leadership.
His advice to future directors is simple yet profound: Without love, passion, and perseverance, there will be no success.
Currently, Willie Hines, Jr. serves as the Vice Chairman of the Charles Drew Memorial Scholarship Fund, continuing his lifelong commitment to educational excellence and student empowerment.