Drum Major For Change! Robert D. Champion

01/01/2026

As we approach the sacred threshold between 2025 and 2026, we pause—if only for a moment—to reflect with grateful hearts. This past year has been shaped by the prayers, support, encouragement, and unwavering presence of so many who walked along side us. Your impact has been both seen and deeply felt.

With grace, we look back on all that 2025 has taught us—the challenges that strengthened us, the connections that sustained us, and the purpose that continues to call us forward. With hope and expectation, we step into 2026 believing that what lies ahead is filled with promise, possibility, and divine alignment.

On behalf of Robert D Champion Drum Major for Change Foundation and the Champion Family, thank you for your love, your prayers, and your continued support throughout this year. As we journey into the New Year together, may we find common ground, shared purpose, and renewed commitment to building positive, lasting, and historical change.

Wishing you and your loved ones a healthy and prosperous New Year.
Here’s to moving forward—together as we
RISE— Reaching, Inspiring, Serving, and Empowering others.

Aways remember, a life is a terrible thing to lose to senseless and needless violence.

11/20/2025

My Son — A Mother’s R.I.S.E.

Robert Darnell Champion —My Son—
how do I capture the fullness of you
in only a few moments in time?
Even now, this task feels too daunting, too heavy, too overwhelming for my conscious thoughts.
So I close my eyes
and breathe in the precious memories of your presence,
hoping to gather even a fragment
of the light you carried so effortlessly for me within you.

In a spirit of deep gratitude,
I journey back through the 26 years of sacred seasons we were blessed to share on this earth together.
In those cherished moments,
you taught me lessons this world has no language for which to speak:
lessons of unconditional love,
of quiet courage,
of dedication woven into your every step,
of perseverance that refused to bend,
and tranquility that felt heaven-sent.

Through the life you lived my son,
I learned how to love more freely—
with fewer walls.
Through your passing my son,
I learned how to live more meaningfully—
with intention,
with clarity,
with a heart deeply wounded and stretched wide by grief
yet still beating with gratitude and purpose.

You revealed strengths in me
I never knew were mine,
and stirred a faith
I never knew I needed.
Even now,
you continue to push me—
to R.I.S.E. (Reaching Inspiring Serving Empowering)
To reach inward,
stand taller,
dig deeper,
and offer my best…
then rise again,
and outdo myself once more—
for the sake of growth,
for the sake of change,
for the sake of renewed purpose beyond grief,
for the sake of love.

Thank you, my son,
for being both my greatest joy
and my greatest teacher.
You continue to live in every breath I take,
every prayer I whisper,
every quiet moment where your memory shines through.
You are forever a part of me—
a light that time cannot dim,
a love that eternity cannot erase.
I will forever cherish the memories of your late nights soulful renditions of, “Ribbon in the Sky for Our Love.”

10/31/2025

Our biggest betrayal is the continued commitment to the hidden deceptions of hazing. “We should be able to look at a wrong condition with the knowledge that we can change it!”

09/30/2025

On behalf of the Robert D Champion Drum Major for Change Foundation, we would like to say we are truly grateful to Dr. Douglas Bell Jr. and the Texas A & M University family for the opportunity to speak and be a part of your National Hazing Prevention Awareness Event on Tuesday 9/23/2025.

Thank you for welcoming us into this important conversation and allowing us to share our son’s (Robert Darnell Champion) story. Many thanks to everyone in attendance. We are all a vital piece to the puzzle. Every chance to speak is another step toward healing, awareness, and change — and we don’t take that for granted.

As you continue to R. I. S. E. (Reaching Inspiring Serving Empowering) and move forward, don’t forget to Do Your Best and Then Just Outdo Yourself!!! Be The Example!

09/19/2025

On behalf of the Robert D Champion Drum Major for Change Foundation, I would like to say I am truly grateful to the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporation, Gina Merritt-Epps, Esq. and Janette E. Bishop, Dir FWDH for opportunity to speak and be a part of your National Hazing Prevention Webinar on Wednesday, 9/17/25.

Thank you for welcoming me into this important conversation and allowing me to share my son’s (Robert Darnell Champion) story. Many thanks to everyone on in attendance. We are all a vital piece to the puzzle. Every chance to speak is another step toward healing, awareness, and change — and I don’t take that for granted.

As you continue to R. I. S. E. and move forward in your new direction of Finer Women Don’t Haze, initiative, don’t forget to Do Your Best and Then Just Outdo Yourself!!! Be The Example

08/09/2025

NOW is a great opportunity to shown the film HAZING to your children before sending them off to college or any educational institution. Empowering young minds and raising their awareness about the hazing culture.��Words from the film maker: “I’ll always remember the day Ms. Marie Andre, a participant in my film HAZING, shared with me that before sending her son, George Desdunes, off to Cornell University, she talked to him about everything under the sun (s*x, drugs, alcohol, etc.) but she did not talk to him about hazing. Through no fault of her own, Ms. Andre wasn’t aware of dangerous and abusive hazing practices until her son succumbed to forced binge drinking during a fraternity hazing ritual in 2011. ��As students return to school this fall, many young people are considering joining exclusive organizations, sports teams, marching bands, clubs and groups on campus. Now is the time to have important conversations with them about hazing culture, and to share with them educational resources that can empower them to make good decisions and sound choices as they seek belonging and group membership.

https://bhurt.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a7d9290ba6a6bdb276d886383&id=a4b54ff91f&e=3479b1b28f

The Independent Television Service (ITVS) has made HAZING available to stream for free on PBS.org and on the PBS app August 1 through August 31, 2025. I encourage you to watch the film with your children or share the streaming info with your network of friends, colleagues, and family members. ��To watch HAZING on your computer, go to https://www.pbs.org/ and search the title.��To watch the film on a TV, phone, or tablet, you'll need to download the PBS App. If you’re using a TV, that means downloading the app on Roku, Apple TV, or your smart TV interface. Once you're in the PBS App, look for the Independent Lens title (or search for HAZING).”

The Time is NOW!!!

07/15/2025

Jericho Run / Walk / Roll

🎉 Join Us for the Jericho Prayer 1K, 5K or 7K Run! 🏃‍♀️🚶‍♂️🚴‍♀️🙏
Date: Saturday, July 26, 2025
Time: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Location: Panola Mountain State Park (Alexander Lake & Archery Range)
📍 5015 Flat Bridge Road SW, Stockbridge, GA 30281

Come out and be part of something meaningful at the Jericho Prayer Run! Whether you walk, run, or ride a bike, this event is a powerful way to gather in faith, fitness, and community spirit.

🌳 Surrounded by the natural beauty of Panola Mountain State Park, we’ll journey together around Alexander Lake and the Archery Range, lifting up prayers for a safe, peaceful, and successful school year for our students, teachers, administrators, and staff.

This is a family-friendly, all fitness levels welcome event — from seasoned runners to casual walkers and fun bikers. Bring your water, your friends, and your heart full of hope.

💫 Let’s move with purpose. Let’s pray with power.

🎟️ Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/annual-back-2-school-jericho-prayer-runwalkroll-tickets-1481846255039?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=wsa&aff=ebdsshwebmobile

06/05/2025

Join me on Thursday, June 5, 2025 @6:30pm EST for the Free screening of the documentary, “Hazing” by filmmaker Byron Hurt and an insightful panel conversation of the culture of hazing. Hope to see you there. Register Now and be informed.

TOMORROW!! June 5, 2025! 6:30 pm ET!

FREE screening of HAZING with a Q&A to follow with three amazing anti-hazing advocates who will talk about women and hazing!

Join the conversation as we wrap up this education and awareness campaign, and virtual screening series on hazing culture!

Register here to attend: https://gathr.com/events/2a30b807/hazing-screening

Registering is quick and easy!

05/18/2025

Congratulations to this year’s Be A Champion R.I.S.E. Challenge Scholarship Award recipient, Chad Douglas James Davis!

Presented by the Robert D. Champion Drum Major for Change Foundation, this award honors individuals who exemplify:

➡️ The courage to stand tall,
➡️ The fearlessness to lead by example
➡️ The drive to motivate themselves and others to do their best—and then just outdo their best.

They embody the spirit of R.I.S.E. — Reaching, Inspiring, Serving, and Empowering — to Champion meaningful change in their communities and beyond.

Congratulations Chad👏🏾

We like to extend our gratitude to Mr Karey Davis, Chad’s father, for the amazing production of this special moment.