Today we’d like to introduce you to Khristopher Fields
Hi Khristopher, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Meet Khristopher Fields: At just 27 years old, he’s not only a recipient of the U.S. Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award and the U.S. Presidential Gold Medal, but also a published author, visionary, and 2025 Forbes 30 Under 30 nominee. As an inspirational foundation executive, his work is making waves and inspiring a movement for the next generation of champions to wise up and rise up.
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I’m Khristopher Alexander Fields, a Houston native dedicated to enriching our community through my extraordinary work and unwavering commitment to empowering the next generation of leaders. I’ve been honored with several prestigious awards, including the U.S. Presidential Lifetime Achievement Call to Service Award, the U.S. Presidential Gold Medal, and the Inspirational Man of the Year Award (2023) by the Heavenly Estates Foundation Inc.
Through NBC’s internationally syndicated television network, my voice has reached hundreds of thousands of people, and over 79,000 people have heard my voice through online streaming. This platform has allowed me to amplify my message of empowerment and community enrichment to a wide audience.
As the founder of Wise Up To Rise Up Foundation Inc., a 501(c)(3) licensed community organization, I’ve impacted the lives of countless individuals, particularly youth, through programs that blend life skills education with STEM skills education, focusing on technology and the arts. My foundation’s Digital Dream Builders Program teaches website design to teenagers and young adults, particularly those in underserved populations, empowering them to create impactful campaigns for causes they care about and initiate movements that make a difference in the world. At Wise Up to Rise Up Foundation, we are dedicated to improving literacy rates through community, creativity, and collaboration. It’s all about uniting communities, artists, educators, visionaries, and volunteers to spark a love for learning, imagination, creativity, and literary works in the next generation, especially in underserved areas. Wise Up To Rise Up Foundation has earned Gold Status recognition from respected organizations such as Guidestar, Foundation Center, and Candid, and we are sponsored by Fortune 500 industry giants Google, Microsoft, Canva, among others. We leverage our relationships and resources to create new opportunities for young visionaries to be inspired.
In addition to my community work, I’m a published author, with my book “From Dreams To Wings: Extraordinary Epiphanies Through the Lens of Aviation” receiving recognition with two proclamations, one from Houston, Texas, and another from Austin, Texas.
My story is not only about my accolades but also about the lives I’ve touched and the smiles I’ve inspired. My journey from a Houston native to a nationally recognized figure is a testament to my passion for community enrichment and my ability to inspire others to do the same.
I imagine a world where the vast majority of children wake up every day feeling inspired, feeling safe at school, and fulfilled at the end of the day.
I’ve encountered so many seemingly insurmountable challenges that could have broken me, pushed me to submission, and forced me to quit out of agonizing frustration. However, I pressed forward relentlessly, unencumbered by those challenges and unafraid of new frontiers. It is through these challenges that I’ve developed a paramount voice and a deeper understanding that my purpose in life is to lift up those who have fallen in spirit, be a voice for the voiceless, an advocate for the vulnerable, and a mentor for those crushed by the lumbering weight of shame and the low expectations of society.
Ultimately, my dream is to use my experiences, paramount voice, and purpose-driven spirit to empower students struggling with childhood behavioral issues, emotional challenges, and family dysfunction to overcome all the negative influences and pressures to live a life of true fulfillment. This, in essence, is why I created Wise Up to Rise Up Foundation. I do all of this because I know people can change, obstacles can be overcome, and monumental success can be achieved when we are unified, come together, and draw strength from a spirit of common purpose.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Leading Wise Up to Rise Up Foundation, I’ve faced something many of us in the helping professions wrestle with: compassion fatigue. It sneaks up when your commitment to helping others starts to drain your emotional and physical reserves, leaving you feeling empty. I’m sharing my journey and some lessons learned, hoping it might light the path for others who find themselves in similar situations.
The Reality of Compassion Fatigue
In the world of non-profit and service, emotional burnout is almost a given. There comes a point where the relentless drive starts to eat away at the passion that got you started. Facing this reality myself forced me to take a hard look at how I balance my dedication to our mission with my own well-being.
How I Keep Compassion Fatigue at Bay
Self-Care as a Priority: Learning to take time for myself was a tough but necessary lesson. It’s not stepping back; it’s ensuring I can keep moving forward. Whether it’s a walk in the park, losing myself in a good book, or laughing with friends, it’s vital.
Building a Support Network: Having a circle of friends and colleagues to share the highs and lows with has been a game changer. It’s about creating a space where it’s okay to talk about how tough this work can be.
Staying Curious and Informed: Constantly learning about new ways to manage stress and avoid burnout has kept me agile. Whether through workshops, books, or podcasts, expanding my toolbox has made a big difference.
Setting Boundaries: Learning to say, “Enough for today,” and setting clear lines between work and personal time has been key. It’s okay to delegate and to not be all things to all people.
Finding My Recharge: Identifying activities that refill my tank—like journaling, meditating, or diving into a hobby—has been crucial. These aren’t just breaks; they’re an essential part of keeping my spirit energized.
As you know, we’re big fans of WISE UP TO RISE UP FOUNDATION. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Wise Up To Rise Up Foundation Inc., a 501(c)(3) licensed community organization, has impacted the lives of countless individuals, particularly youth, through programs that blend life skills education with STEM skills education, focusing on technology and the arts. Wise Up To Rise Up foundation’s Digital Dream Builders Program teaches website design to teenagers and young adults, particularly those in underserved populations, empowering them to create impactful campaigns for causes they care about and initiate movements that make a difference in the world.
We imagine a world where the vast majority of young visionaries wake up every day feeling inspired, safe at school, and fulfilled at the end of the day. That’s why the Wise Up to Rise Up Foundation is dedicated to improving literacy rates through the power of community, creativity, and collaboration. Our mission is to unite communities, artists, educators, and volunteers to spark a love for learning and creativity in the next generation, especially in underserved areas.
Our foundation is dedicated to creating vibrant, supportive environments where every young visionary feels valued and empowered to explore the vast world of knowledge. Through our collaborative efforts, we aspire to cultivate a generation of critical thinkers and lifelong learners equipped to thrive and lead positive change in their communities.
Our approach involves working closely with local schools, families, and community leaders to co-create vibrant, inclusive spaces where young visionaries can explore a rich diversity of mentors and express themselves freely.
Through collaborative efforts, we seek to dismantle educational barriers and equip young visionaries with the literacy skills they need for a successful future, all while nurturing a community that celebrates knowledge, imagination, and the collective pursuit of excellence.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
One book that profoundly influenced my life is “Pulse of Perseverance.” This deeply personal tale chronicles the journey of three young Black men who overcame daunting odds to become part of the mere five percent of U.S. doctors who are Black. The authors provide an unflinching look at the barriers Black and brown Americans face, highlighting how the path to success is significantly harder for Black and brown children than for their counterparts. Yet, unimaginable success is still achievable with unwavering perseverance. At its core, “Pulse of Perseverance” is an inspirational story of what can be achieved with dedication, support from like-minded individuals, and investment from institutions committed to Black success. It serves as a North Star for every young dreamer who envisions a future greater for themselves than the world often allows them to believe is possible.
Discovering Pulse of Perseverance was a pivotal moment in my life. It was the first book I ever read from cover to cover, and it moved me to transform my narrative from failure to achievement. Inspired by its message, I went on to become a published author, honored by the White House with two major awards, and named the 2023 Inspirational Man of the Year. As an alumnus of the Pulse of Perseverance Scholarship, On May 16th, 2024, I honored the legacy of Dr. Johnson, Dr. Madhere, and Dr. Semien with their own Presidential Lifetime Achievement Awards from the White House through the nonprofit I founded, Wise Up to Rise Up Foundation, which is an official accredited administrator of Presidential Volunteer Service Awards. This was a small token of my appreciation for their enduring impact, not only in my life but also in the lives of countless others.
Dr. Johnson once said, “Pulse of Perseverance isn’t just a book; it is a movement.” For me, Pulse of Perseverance represents a shift from being counted out to being counted on, from overlooked to overbooked, and from a lifestyle of failure to a lifetime of achievement. It is not just a book— Pulse of Perseverance is a movement.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://WISEUPTORISEUP.COM
- Instagram: Everybodyloveskris
- Other: http://KhristopherFields.com
