Meet Tyrone Nance | CEO & Founder of IBTU

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tyrone Nance and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tyrone, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
The most important factor behind my success is and forever will be the people. I consider myself a bridge builder and an advocate for change.I find strength and inspiration from the stories I’ve heard in the community. My success is planted in the belief and hope of serving, loving and connecting people. When you invest in the well being of others, you invest in yourself.

What should our readers know about your business?
I’m the founder and CEO of a 501c3 nonprofit called It’s Bigger Than Us. IBTU is an organization that uses outreach and organizing as tools to establish and build relationships that help transform the social and economic conditions of disadvantaged communities across Los Angeles through diverse volunteer efforts.

I’m really proud of the IBTU team I get to serve alongside and do this incredible work with. From how it started to where we are now is incredible. This is especially impressive because the entire team volunteers for IBTU in their free time all while having full time jobs, families and careers of their own. I am extremely proud of what has been accomplished. Take a look at our 2021 Impact Stats.

Summary 2021
132,000 :pounds of food given out at our South LA and East LA Food distribution sites
33,000 :Families served at the food distribution
11,750: Toys, gifts, meals and essential items during the holiday season
2850 :Total number of LAUSD students served
2500: Fully loaded backpack
550 :Total number of volunteers in 2021
80 :Total Food distribution in South LA and East LA
20 :Community Outreach event
6 :Total number of LAUSD schools served

I got to where I’m at today by the grace of God, the support of my family, friends and community. When I finished undergrad back in 2013 at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, with a degree in Public Relations I knew exactly what I wanted to do for the rest of my life– advocacy work and helping others.
Once I got back to LA ready to dive deep into community organizing work I was met immediately with opposition. No nonprofit would hire me or give me an internship. It was such a tough field to get into professionally. I didn’t have a “how to get into nonprofit work professionally” book or know people involved in that field to advise me. But with every no, I got more hungry. I overcame my challenges by facing them head on and not going around them. When I didn’t get access to the career path I thought I wanted, I rolled up my sleeves and went back to school to receive a Masters Degree in Transformational Urban Leadership from Azusa Pacific University, then began creating my own path.
I’ve been able to intern and work for the Community Coalition, Union Rescue Mission, D.O.O.R. and over the last three years I’ve been fortunate enough to work at the Violence Intervention Program to serve the community of Lincoln Heights and East LA. This opportunity helps set the groundwork and inspired me to begin my own non-profit so I could serve the South LA community too. I have learned so much from the leadership and friends I have made at VIP.

During the aftermath of the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor Ahmad Aurberry, Tony McDade and so me others. LA was hurting and I knew that I wanted to help. With the offered flexibility of VIP, I began joining the protests, eventually leading my own in Hollywood, speaking to thousands of people, surrounded by the National Guard. That day forever changed me, to see the city come together, all colors and kinds of people protesting for basic human rights, I knew this would be a pivotal point in my life. As the protests began to settle down, I got to work. IBTU was originally created to be a safe space for Black Men to get together during this time of turmoil. As we began meeting we realized how much agent for change we harnessed within ourselves. As time went on IBTU has morphed into what it is today, a thriving non-profit organization that served thousands of people in the South LA community and surrounding areas. I am incredibly honored to be a part of this transformative journey.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
This is a tough question. The best part about LA is getting lost and trying and experiencing new things. LA is a Salad bowl of different traditions and customs that tells us a beautiful story of unity and togetherness. So the number one recommendation is to get lost in the city and have fun.

My top five places to visit: South LA, Beaches, DTLA, Silverlake, Little Tokyo, Koreatown, Marina Del Rey, Skidrow, Pasadena and Hollywood.
Top five places to get drinks: Arts district brewery, R Bar, Saddle Ranch, Pour Haus and Everson Royce Bar
Top five food places to try:
Authentic Street tacos, DAMA- Latin American restaurant, Louisiana Fried Chicken, Pho Show – Vietnamese Cuisine, Menoh Tokushima Ramen and a bonus one Boo’s Philly Cheesesteaks.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
When I think of monumental moments of growth in my life, faith and education are at the center. I would like to give a shout to all my teachers, professors and faith leaders I have had the privilege to encounter.

Every part of my development to get me where I am today began while growing up with the incredible support, mentorship and encouragement from the community of West Angeles Church. The list is infinite of those who helped me along my journey and I am grateful for all of the guidance they offered.

Website: itsbiggerthanusla.org

Instagram: @itsbiggerthanus_

Facebook: @itsbiggerthanusla

Youtube: It’s Bigger Than Us Los Angeles

Image Credits
Karen Doolittle