Many people inspire individuals that will go on to inspire the masses. For Ashton Burrell also known as the Chosen 1 that statement proves to be true.
“My mission is to open up people’s minds, eyes, and understandings of this thing we call life. So many factors and layers make up our everyday living, and we all must understand them. I hope to positively impact anything I do or put out to the world. If someone or something is inspired for the right thing from my work, I’ve achieved everything I needed to. I was helped by so many different people throughout my life. Even if it wasn’t a positive interaction, I still learned and evolved from it.”- Ashton Burrell
Ashton founded the Hometownheroclub and Live Mentorship Program (LMP) while a sophomore at Lincoln University in 2011. LMP provides mentoring to youth between ages 9 – 19 from various walks of life and cultures in New Jersey.
Ashton formed a life-changing bond with the young people, and his program has maintained a 100% graduation, and over 3000 students were assisted and inspired to graduate from high school.
“There are so many of our young people who are hurting and need adults to step up and nurture them properly. Since I didn’t see this happening, I took it into my own hands and said I’ll step up and do it. So I prayed on it and let GOD take me from there. Each encounter I have with the youth is just more motivation to add to the motivation that’s already here.” – Ashton Burrell.
Ashton has also organized social justice marches and rallies as well as been an advocate for judicial equity. In addition, he pushed for corporations to practice fair and diverse hiring processes. Ashton received numerous awards, including the Johnson and Johnson MLK Community Service Award, the NAACP New Brunswick Branch President’s Award, the Spread the Word 2nd Annual Humanitarian Award, the Highland Park MLK Humanitarian Award, and many others. He was recently awarded the New Jersey Governors Jefferson Award for Innovator and Founder of the Live Mentorship Program in 2021.
“I know GOD has a huge purpose for me just by how the most high has been using me this far. I want to do so much more but I’m also thankful for all that’s been done. Where I’m at right now in life I want to improve myself in all areas of improvement needed. If I do that and spread that to who’s around me, I pray that can become contagious to others.” -Ashton Burrell