About the book

Coach Ray is the owner and CEO of Coach Ray Inspires and has worked in the education field for over 18 years. Born and raised in Norfolk, VA, Coach Ray found his passion for working with the youth fresh out of high school. He began his coaching career as a Youth Football Coach with the Berkley Timberwolves youth organization, when he was 18 years old. For over 20 years, Coach Ray has made it his mission to help improve and cultivate the lives of the youth each year. Coach Ray currently works at Tallwood High School in VA Beach, VA, as the Varsity Football Coach and is the embodiment of passion and purpose when working with the youth. Coach Ray attends Calvary Revival Church regularly, where he met Ms. Latrece Mcknight. She believed in him and gave Coach Ray the opportunity to work with the middle and high school students. Mrs. McKnight has been very instrumental to inspire and push Coach Ray to becoming more proficient in his passion. Coach Ray is the recipient of the May 2019 Mentor of the month from the USMC Semper Fideles Academic All-American Program and in 2020, Coach Ray received the Best Male Mentor Award from the Black Men Rocks Organization. Coach Ray is the CEO and Founder of Coach Ray Inspires, which was established in 2020, to assist the youth by working with what he calls the Four Pillars of a Successful Youth (Education, Family, Community, and their Self-Confidence). Coach Ray believes that if we educate the adults by training them in the methods he uses that impact the youth in these particular areas; we can help any child succeed.
Along with coaching and training, Coach Ray is also an up-and-coming motivational speaker. He believes he received his passion and drive towards the youth from his Uncle, Glen Yearling and his Mother, Samoa Colston, who always pushed him to pursue his purpose in helping the next generation. He has been married to Angela Taylor-Colston for four years and has two young children, Vance Bolden and Brianna Knox, and one step-daughter, Madison Taylor.