Paying it Forward: Grew up with a drug abusing mom, but today uplifts his Detroit community.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Tarence Wheeler.  He is a highly respected professional with over 20 years of experience in community relations and philanthropic activities, specializing in community and corporate partnerships and relationship building. He is a former Mayoral Appointee, serving as the community relations liaison for Mayor Dave Bing and the City of Detroit. Mr. Wheeler has extensive experience in community outreach, mentoring, and fostering partnerships to support educational achievement. During the pandemic, he led the effort to distribute over 15 million meals to the downriver community via a partnership with Forgotten Harvest. He founded the All-Star Giveback Thanksgiving Turkey Drive, which currently provides over 3,000 turkeys with all the trimmings to families in need. Although Mr. Wheeler has been seen serving on a national level with celebrities and the like, his greatest passion is in helping to enrich the lives of at-risk young people in communities throughout the Metropolitan Detroit area. He is often inspiring and motivating students at Detroit-area schools, using a transparent and authentic approach to reaching young people and ‘meeting them where they are’. His first-hand knowledge and experience with growing up in a less-fortunate environment increased his ability to make a direct connection with his young audience. Celebrities join forces for All-Star Giveback: Thanksgiving Edition: WHO:  Tarence Wheeler, Multi-Platinum & Emmy winning Grammy Nominee Rapper Big Sean/Sean Anderson Foundation, Former NBA Players Derrick Coleman, Gary Payton, Willie Burton, Isiah Thomas, Rick Mahorn, Grant Long, Tim Hardaway, James “Budda” Edwards, Actor/Author Hill Harper, Former NFL Players Herman Moore, Lomas Brown, Rob Sims, Calvin Johnson, Wayne County Executive Warren Evans, Wayne County Sheriff Ray Washington, Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist, City Council President Mary Sheffield WHAT: Annual All-Star Giveback: Thanksgiving Edition will provide more than 3000 turkeys and food baskets to Metro- Detroit residents on a first come, first served basis. #AMI #BEST #STRAW #SHMSSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.