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'Power of connection' helps nonprofit founder forge ahead, earn master's degree

Life kept happening. It’s what kept Ebony McNeil MAOL '25 from pursing his master’s degree for so long.

Until he met Rodney S. Ridley Sr., Ph.D., RTTP, chief operating officer of the O’Pake Institute for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship and Alvernia University's vice president of research, economic development and strategic initiatives. That life-changing meeting occurred when McNeil became involved with Alvernia’s Cultural Coalition, a volunteer-based, Berks County-focused, strategic planning and execution group that aids in identifying and attending to some of Reading’s social and economic issues.

“It was the power of connection [that brought me to Alvernia],” explained McNeil, 50, founder and executive director of nonprofit , mental health therapist at Betterview Counseling and Trauma Recovery, LLC in Wyomissing, and a coach of multiple sports for his sons. “I’d always wanted to go back for my master’s degree, but with having a full-time job with four sons and a wife who works full time and who is also an entrepreneur and me running a nonprofit, it was one of those things where you just keep pushing it back.”

When Ridley realized McNeil didn’t have the master’s degree he assumed he did, the ball got rolling.

“Dr. Ridley said, ‘OK, you need to stop playing around and get this degree,’” McNeil recalled.

Subsequent meetings with officials at Alvernia formulated a plan for McNeil to double up on the necessary work to graduate in just 12 months. And he felt supported by Alvernia every step of the way.

“I was able to achieve my goal without sacrificing anything I had already achieved,” he said.

Aside from his wife and children, McNeil’s proudest achievement is The Forge, “an organization focused on enhancing manhood from the inside out, or character building.”

“A big part of that is leadership, because in order to lead your family, to lead those at work, etc., you have to be able to lead yourself first," McNeil said. "We talk about being better husbands, better fathers, and we focus on doing that because it helps to solve a lot of ills in our community that are based in men not being their best selves.”

The Forge, which got its start in 2001, offers closed-door sessions where men can discuss topics openly from a male perspective, share and reflect. Father-son events are also held and speakers often come in to address timely topics. Positivity is always top-of-mind.

“If we can help men and they’re going home as better husbands and fathers, children are also able to benefit and there’s a trickle-down effect,” he said.

McNeil remains committed to mentoring students at Alvernia. Monthly meetings for the nonprofit are even held at the school's John R. Post Center at Reading CollegeTowne in downtown Reading, making for a bit of a full-circle experience for the alum. And the Forge is a client of O'Pake, whose offices are in the Post Center.

Setting an example for his own family was an important factor in McNeil’s decision to return to school for his master’s degree. As was providing positive imagery for men in the community.

“I want to show my sons (ages 19, 17, 15 and 10) that it’s never too late to expand your education," he said.