Two educators as parents. A shift from math to ethnic studies. And a Black man choosing service despite the pressure to chase a paycheck.

Joshua Moore—raised on Detroit's east side by two first-generation college graduates—learned early that community and education are inseparable. He shares how mentors Alan Washington and Anna Brown authentically believed in him, shaping his bold pivot from a math degree to a purpose-driven life.

Joshua opens up about discovering City Year/AmeriCorps, serving despite low pay and family pushback, and why representation matters when Black corps members navigate classroom trauma with restorative approaches.

He delivers a direct message to young people—especially Black men—to protect their dreams and pursue what fits their soul, not just their wallet. Joshua also introduces NRDM Organization ("In Our DM"), a tribute to his grandmothers funding scholarships through tutoring and community engagement, and speaks candidly about living with bipolar disorder while pausing public work for his job search.

Highlights:
🏠 Detroit Roots & Educator Parents: How two first-gen college grads instilled values of community, education, and service.
🎓 The Math-to-Ethnic Studies Pivot: Choosing purpose over a paycheck, despite family concerns about income.
🤝 Mentors Who Believed First: Alan Washington and Anna Brown’s authentic investment in his leadership.
✊ Finding City Year: From school assemblies and career fairs to choosing service over stability.
💰 Family Pushback & Low Pay: Why he served anyway, and the reality of the stipend conversation.
🧠 Representation & Classroom Trauma: How school-based trauma shows up for Black corps members and the power of a restorative approach.
💬 Advice for Black Men: Seize every opportunity, protect your dreams, and pursue what truly fits you.
🏆 Service Titans Shoutout: Honoring the people who shaped his journey.
🌱 In Our DM Project: Building a tutoring and community engagement legacy, inspired by his grandmothers, to fund scholarships.
🧘 Living with Bipolar Disorder: Pausing public work with transparency during a job search.

"Joshua’s story reminds us that the most radical act of service is often choosing the path that was designed for your soul, not your pockets."

Contact/Follow:
Guest: Joshua Moore
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuamoore12/

Host: Anton Taylor
https://www.linkedin.com/in/antontaylor

Chapters:
00:00 – Meet Joshua
01:37 – Detroit Roots
03:16 – Mentors And Leadership
05:54 – Choosing Service Over Math
11:12 – Finding City Year
13:23 – Family Pushback
16:47 – Representation And Trauma
21:00 – Advice For Black Men
25:12 – Service Titans Shoutout
32:46 – In Our DM Project
38:35 – Closing Thanks

Hashtags:
#AmeriCorps #CityYear #NationalService #Detroit #BlackMenLead #RestorativePractices #EducationEquity #ServiceTitans #InOurDM #MentalHealth #BipolarDisorderAwareness #BlackLeadersInService