The Seeds of Hope mission and vision are made real each year by a dedicated team of volunteers, donors, and community partners who work to keep the dream of higher education alive for our scholars. Please take a moment to learn more about a few of our village members below :)

Executive Director Inspires Kids to Dream Big and Trust God ✨️

Born in Staten Island, New York, Victor Nicholson had aspirations of seeing the world beyond the confines of the community where he lived. Now, as the executive director for the Charlotte Mecklenburg Dream Center, he is encouraging youth to dream big, work hard, and be a vessel for divine possibility. We are excited to sit down with Victor to learn more about what inspires his work with youth and communities. Keep scrolling to learn more about this visionary leader!

How have you worked with Seeds of Hope?

I’m relatively new to the Seeds of Hope family. Over the past year, I had the opportunity to participate as an interviewer for students applying for the Seeds of Hope scholarship. As a partner, I was truly impressed by how well-organized and seamless the interview process was. Attending the scholarship awards dinner further deepened my admiration for the organization- especially after hearing inspiring stories from former recipients who remain actively involved with Seeds of Hope. I look forward to continuing my support and involvement for many years to come.

Why is education important to you?

One quote that resonates deeply with me is, “Exposure leads to expansion". Education has opened doors to experiences far beyond anything I could have imagined. Growing up in extreme poverty, I always dreamed of more- of seeing the world beyond my small community. Through education, God has allowed me to travel, connect with incredible people, build a strong network, and be mentored by inspiring leaders. Education hascompletely transformed the direction and story of my life. Today, I feel a deep responsibility to pay it forward, and Seeds of Hope gives me the opportunity to do just that.

What is the most profound piece of life/career advice you have ever received? Why?

The most profound piece of advice I’ve received is: “Give yourself grace and trust God.” Throughout my career, I’ve often found myself moving at a fast pace, and in seasons where progress seemed too slow, I would place unnecessary pressure on myself. This wisdom reminded me to fully trust God’s timing and to release the urge to control the pace. It helped me recognize that I am simply his vessel. It is not about my own ability, but about His power and perfect timing working through me.

What life/career advice do you now give to youth?

I always remind young people: “Every room you enter and every table you sit at-you belong there.” Imposter syndrome is one of the enemy’s tools to hold people back from walking in their God-given purpose. I encourage young people to boldly step through every door God opens for them, knowing that their purpose is often tied to the opportunities He places before them. Confidence in their calling is key to fulfilling their potential.

How did you first discover Seeds of Hope?

I first learned about Seeds of Hope through our partnership with City of Hope. City of Hope collaborates with Christ-centered organizations to empower individuals and families to overcome life’s challenges and fulfill their God-given potential. Seeds of Hope is doing just that, transforming the lives of youth and breaking generational cycles. Many of the scholars are the first in their families to attend college, and through this work, Seeds of Hope is rewriting family legacies for generations to come.

Why do you support Seeds of Hope?

I’m drawn to strong, visionary leadership and Seeds of Hope exemplifies that through Laura Swisher. I first saw the impact of Seeds of Hope on social media and later had the opportunity to meet this year’s scholars during the interview process. I was deeply moved by their resilience, intelligence, servant hearts, and love for the Lord. Seeds of Hope is doing more than guiding students toward upward mobility through education; they’re nurturing a deep spiritual foundation. Encouraging young people to fall in love with the Lord will have a lasting impact far beyond their academic years. It’s truly a blessing to be part of what God is doing through Seeds of Hope.

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Seeds of Hope is proud to partner with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Dream Center. Built upon years of consistent presence in under-served areas of Charlotte, the Dream Center provides those desiring to love their neighbor as themselves with a platform to build relationships with and serve those who they may otherwise never be able to know.

The Charlotte Mecklenburg Dream Center is proudly affiliated with the Dream Center Network (DCN), a global collective of Dream Centers providing tools, resources, and support to churches and organizations, enabling them to start and build Dream Centers in their communities. Through intentional programming they are providing our most vulnerable neighbors with the resources and hope they need. Find out more about their work at https://www.cltdc.org/.