ABOUT
Demeitrice (D.L.) Collins is a multifaceted individual, serving as a youth advocate, entrepreneur, author, Realtor, and Insurance Specialist. He is also the founder of The Literacy for Youth Foundation. Graduating from Clayton State University in 1997 with a degree in Business Administration, Collins embarked on a career in real estate and finance. It was during this time that he recognized the financial struggles of his clients, stemming from a lack of education in financial literacy.
In response to this realization, Collins founded The Literacy for Youth Foundation in 2009. The foundation’s primary mission is to educate today’s youth, empowering them with financial literacy skills to ensure success as young adults and equip them to face future challenges.
Collins is not only an advocate for financial literacy but also a published author. His first book, Sally Saver and The Treasures in Time (2018), has become a curriculum staple in Clayton and Dekalb County public schools. The success of his literary efforts led to the publication of his second book, Sally Saver and The Egyptian Credit Caper (2019).
The Literacy for Youth Foundation gained notable recognition in 2019, winning the Non-Profit of the Year Award at the RICE Awards. This recognition was reinforced by a crucial partnership with Cash Money Records, providing support for local community events.
Collins extended his impact by organizing financial empowerment conferences targeting children from eight years old to college-age young adults. These conferences aim to educate on financial literacy and guide entrepreneurs in navigating and maintaining financial success despite the pandemic’s challenges.
In 2016, he founded the Cathy Collins House of Hope, a non-profit organization operating in Georgia and receiving state funding in Kentucky. This organization collaborates with local partners like Seven Bridges to Recovery to provide essential services to the homeless and those in transitional homes.
The Cathy Collins House of Hope, named after Collins' mother, Cathy Collins, received a Nomination for Non-Profit of the Year at the RICE Awards in 2020. The organization actively engages in various community initiatives, from Food Truck Fridays and Movies in the Park to Breast Cancer Awareness Month events and Thanksgiving collaborations with the City of Forest Park.
The House of Hope’s commitment to community wellness extends to educational support, holiday distributions, and empowering biliterate and bilingual scholars through events like the National Hispanic Heritage Festival. Noteworthy among their initiatives is the Financial Literacy Summit, where youth are guided towards financial literacy, homeownership readiness, and investment opportunities, fostering practical learning and skills development.
Collins’ efforts caught the attention of the White House, and in a remarkable turn of events, he received the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022, signed by President Joe Biden.
In 2023, Collins was honored with a Proclamation from the City of Forest Park, an official declaration recognizing his significant contributions to the community. That same year, he received the Clayton County Board of Education Outstanding Service Award (2023), which celebrates individuals making exceptional contributions to education and student success.
In 2024, Collins received the Georgia Minority Business Award, which recognizes leaders across all races and cultures for superior performance, citizenship, leadership, ethical behavior, diversity, and teamwork. That same year, he was again honored with the Clayton County Board of Education Outstanding Service Award (2024), marking his continued commitment to education and community growth.
As the journey continued, Collins also received news of yet another honor — the Cathy Collins House of Hope was celebrated with the Georgia Minority Business of the Year Award in 2024, further solidifying his legacy as a multifaceted leader making a lasting impact in various spheres.