PHOTOS BY ALBERT JONES
As we celebrate Black History Month, Rochester Woman Online is honored to feature an extraordinary woman whose resilience, passion, and dedication have left an indelible mark on the Rochester community. Khadija Yawn is more than just a leader—she is a visionary, a mentor, and a trailblazer who has dedicated her life to uplifting others. From her beginnings in the entertainment industry to founding ROC ROYAL INC. and inspiring countless young people through 585 DREAM, Khadija has turned her personal hardships into a mission to empower and uplift. Her journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, faith, and community.
In this exclusive interview, Khadija shares her story, her inspirations, and the driving force behind her relentless pursuit of change.
Can you start by telling us a little about yourself and your background?
My name is Khadija Yawn. I was born and raised in Rochester, NY, to Cheryl Clarke and George Tomlin. I have four siblings. I attended the School of the Arts and Virginia State University. Growing up, I was very active in sports and my church community. I know that I have only come this far with the help of my Lord and Savior.
I have worked with youth my entire life—starting as a teenager with my first job at Chuck E. Cheese—and now as the Founder and Executive Director of ROC ROYAL INC. I am also an entrepreneur, and my many talents allow me to thrive in life. My mission is to make sure that God and my family are proud of me and that I am making a difference in my community. I have lost some of the closest people to me, including my mother, father, grandmother, and brother. Through all of that, I made the decision to turn my pain into passion.
How did you first get started as a DJ and in the entertainment industry?
This is actually a funny story. I was working as the Outreach and Special Events Coordinator at the Community Place of Greater Rochester, and we were preparing for our end-of-summer cookout. Our DJ got sick, and I had always loved music, so I volunteered to step in. I plugged my laptop into the speakers and started playing music. Since I’ve always had a humorous personality, it made the experience even more fun.
After the event, a parent approached me and asked if I could DJ their daughter’s party the following week and how much I charged. Not knowing anything about DJing professionally, I confidently said, “Of course!” The rest is history. I reached out to DJ JK, who had always been my go-to DJ, and told him I wanted to learn. He laughed at first, but when I showed up to his studio with all the equipment he recommended, he realized I was serious. After just two lessons, I was ready to go, and soon after, I became one of the most sought-after DJs for events and weddings.
What inspired you to found ROC Royal Inc., and how did your vision take shape?
ROC ROYAL was born out of tragedy. My brother was murdered in 2010, and at that time, I was devastated and lost. However, I wanted to spread awareness about the consequences of violence and its impact on the community. I was already deeply involved in entertainment and event hosting, but my mindset shifted to making a real impact.
I organized my first Stop the Violence event at Grand Avenue Park, expecting a modest turnout, but over 500 people showed up. I was blown away by the response and realized how deeply violence affected our community. From that day forward, I vowed to do my part in being a voice for the voiceless.
As someone who has worked in youth development throughout your career, what drives your passion for empowering young people?
Growing up, my mother was a single parent raising five children. I witnessed her struggles and the sacrifices she made to provide for us. She battled illness while working tirelessly to lift us out of poverty and into a better life. Watching her fight through adversity instilled in me a deep sense of responsibility to help others.
I understand that many young people face immense challenges and often feel like they have no one to turn to. Someone took a chance on me when I didn’t always make the right choices, and I am forever grateful for that. Now, I strive to be that person for the next generation.
Can you share the story behind 585 DREAM and what inspired its creation?
585 DREAM is the name of our afterschool and summer programs. In June 2022, I woke up and decided I wanted to host my own summer camp—despite the fact that summer was just a month away! If you know me, you know I thrive under pressure.
I reached out to my network, and everyone was on board. I contacted Charmaine and Randy Geeter, who owned a church, and they graciously allowed me to host my camp there. Within 14 days, I had designed a flyer, created a registration link, hired three staff members, and registered 50 youth. The only problem? I had no idea how I was going to fund it.
I called a friend who provides funding for nonprofits, and they asked how they could help. My business partner and brother, Kory, stepped in as well. That summer, we successfully ran a three-week camp with 50 youth, and today, the program continues to thrive.
What does the acronym D.R.E.A.M. (Dance, Respect, Education, Art, and Music) mean to you personally, and how do you bring these elements to life in the program?
Growing up, I attended the School of the Arts for vocal music, and I was always passionate about the arts, both in school and church. When I developed the name DREAM, I wanted it to inspire young people to dream big. The arts provide a powerful and positive outlet for self-expression, especially in a safe space.
The program initially started as a DJ program for youth, and once I saw their excitement and engagement, I knew it had the potential to grow. I am a dreamer by nature, and whenever I have doubts, I remind myself: “Yes, let’s get it!”
What are some of the most impactful moments or success stories from the 585 DREAM program?
One of the most rewarding moments was mentoring DJ COCO, one of the most sought-after young DJs today. Her mother and I were friends, so she was always around when I was DJing. She expressed interest in learning, and her passion and dedication were undeniable. Seeing her growth has been incredibly fulfilling and solidified my love for mentoring young people.
What does your motto, ‘We must start WITHIN our communities in order to inspire change,’ mean to you, and how does it guide your work?
Change starts within—within ourselves and within our communities. No one person can do this work alone. It can be exhausting but also rewarding, which is why teamwork and collaboration are so important. We must hold each other accountable, encourage one another, and push our communities forward. I want to show people that they don’t have to stay stuck; they have the power to rise above their circumstances.
What are some of the goals you’ve set for yourself and your organizations, and how have you achieved them?
My main goal is to be light and role model people. I believe God gives us all a work to do and I just want to fulfill my purpose. One of my personal goals was just to grow through adversity and challenges. I may not always make the right decisions, but I promised myself that I would learn from them and come back stronger. I have been able to do just that. For my organization I want to continue to provide impactful programming. Programs that plant the seed for youth and families to be great. Even if I plant the seed and someone else water it, I’m grateful to have an impact. I am working to diversify funding so we can continue to do the work with do and make more of an impact.
Who has been one of the most significant inspirations in your life, and how has that person influenced your journey?
As mentioned before my mother. Her will to never quit or give up during trials and sickness is what fuels my drive daily. She passed away in 2005 and I vowed to make sure I do everything in my power to make her happy.
Can you share some of the outreach events or programs ROC Royal Inc. has hosted that you’re particularly proud of?
Over the last 11 years we have hosted yearly back 2 school giveaways. In the 11 years we have given away over 20,000 bookbags with supplies to youth to help them prepare for school. We also host an annual toy drive where this past year we gave away 1000 kids’ toys and a car to a family. During the 11-year time span we have given away over 12,000 gifts to young people. Youth enjoyed our Easter Egg event where we dropped over 10,000 eggs filled with candy from a helicopter. When I think of events for youth and families, I dream big, I go above and beyond. My goal is to give the youth an experience they may never receive again.
What lessons have you learned from your work with youth and families that have had the most impact on you?
The biggest lesson I learned was to never give up, and keep striving eventually things will get better. I tell my youth this and I tell myself this daily.
How has launching the after-school component of 585 DREAM and hosting the first summer camp in 2022 impacted the community?
We are grateful that our afterschool and summer programs have become a household name. We registered 150 youth for summer now with students who are on the waitlist if someone can no longer attend. This speaks to the value of the program and the fact that parents trust us with their children. We provide free or low-cost programs for families that would normally cost a fortune. We provide youth opportunities that they may never get due to family dynamics or financial status.
What role do you believe art, music, and wellness play in shaping successful entrepreneurs and community leaders?
Wellness plays the biggest role. My first belief is you must have a spiritual foundation and everything else stems from that. Art, and music are all things that can help with healing and a person becoming whole. The great thing about all of this is while learning or becoming an expert in a skill it can become a great financial resource for you.
What advice would you give to other women who want to make a difference in their communities?
I would tell other women be you, don’t let anyone change you. One thing about me is I’m always ME good, bad or indifferent. I’m often playful, loving and about my business. People see the real you and it makes them want to work with you, it makes them trust you and it makes them believe in you. Find your nitch and do the very best you can to help make a difference.
What challenges have you faced in balancing personal, professional, and academic success, and how have you overcome them?
One challenge is finding a balance. When you are a go-getter we often work all day, all night to accomplish our goals. Most recently I got very ill and was sick for 3 months. In and out of the hospital where doctors didn’t know what was going on with me. Through much prayer and doctors, we figured it out and were able to fix the problem. However, this taught me to value life and time. You just don’t get time back. Spend it with family, spend it enjoying this you love to do. Work will always be work and it will always be there, but that loved one may not. I always enjoy learning and growing as well but at the end of the day you have to find that balance and stick to it. If your cup is empty, how do you expect to be able to pour into anyone else cup?
What do you envision for the future of ROC Royal Inc. and 585 DREAM?
I want my own building this is high up on my priority list. I see us branching off into different cities ad being a model program for inner-city youth to find their voice. I see my staff growing and I see the youth we serve prospering into some amazing people.
What legacy do you hope to leave behind for the youth of Rochester and beyond?
I want to be able for youth to say that trusted me, I want them to say I loved them, and I want them to know I’ll root for them as loud as anyone else in the room. As we grow older I want the youth we help be the voice for the youth that come behind them. I want people to say that Khadija Yawn loved her community, she loved her family and she loved being a vessel for others.
As a community ambassador, how do you foster relationships and build trust within the neighborhoods you serve?
Relationship building is key. You must model what you say. You must be on the frontline and people have to know your serious about what you do. You must listen and hear the concerns of people. Lastly and most important you must FOLLOW through what you say your going to do.
What advice would you give to young people in Rochester who are looking to pursue their dreams but may face obstacles?
My advice would be to stay grounded. There will be some challenges that come, but reset and realign. Get out of your own way. We often are our biggest hurdles. Set goals, pray over them and work towards them one by one. Eventually you will see that what you may have though was too big is really in the palm of your hands.
Khadija Yawn’s journey is a powerful reminder that even in the face of loss and adversity, we have the strength to create positive change. Through her work with ROC ROYAL INC. and 585 DREAM, she continues to impact the lives of countless young people, proving that passion, faith, and resilience can truly transform communities.
