‘DeCarlo is like a miracle,’ Little Brother said
Tryon native DeCarlo Wilkins recently won the “Big of the Year” award for the state of Georgia for his volunteerism with the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program in Atlanta.
Wilkins has been a Big Brother in the Metro Atlanta agency for nine years and has been matched with the same Little Brother, Keumontavious, for nearly five years.
“DeCarlo is like a father to me,” said Keumontavious in an essay nominating Wilkins for the award. “I look up to him as a role model. I can talk to him about anything because most people will not understand me. He gives me inspiration to do and be my best in everything I do. DeCarlo is like a miracle that God has sent to me to keep me out of trouble.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters Atlanta officials said Wilkins’ commitment to and perspective on mentoring were key components in his being selected as “Big of the Year.”
“Children are our future and it is up to us as adults to help mold them and prepare them for the challenges they will face in the world,” said Wilkins. “Mentoring does not always have to be serious or about life lessons; sometimes a child just needs someone to have fun with them, and my Little Brother and I definitely have that perfect balance between having fun and focusing on education and the future.”
Wilkins is a 1990 graduate of Tryon High School and received a full scholarship to play basketball at Winthrop University.
Wilkins obtained a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing in 1994 from Winthrop. He continued at Winthrop to obtain an MBA in 1998.
He has been working in the pharmaceutical industry since 1996 and lived in Washington, D.C. and New York before moving to Atlanta. Wilkins has also traveled extensively, including to the countries of Canada, Russia, England, France, South America, China, Italy, Germany, Brazil and Sweden.
In addition to Big Brothers Big Sisters, Wilkins volunteers in other areas, including coaching youth basketball (ages 10-13) at his local YMCA. He also speaks at the local career day for the Atlanta school system and is involved in local Atlanta community health-based organizations.
“I would be remiss if I didn’t return the gift,” Wilkins said. “That’s the gift of guidance.  There were many who took the time to guide, mold and shape me. In doing so, they shaped my future for the better. I am the product of those who unselfishly gave of their time, experiences and resources.”
If chosen as the National Big of the Year, DeCarlo and Keumontavious would serve as ambassadors of the national organization. In this role, both Big and Little would attend up to five national speaking engagements, including the National Big Brothers Big Sisters conference. They would also receive an invitation to the White House to be recognized by the president.
Wilkins is the son of Sylvia Wilkins of Tryon.