Dr. Carlos Walker, Sr. has built a career centered on community service, education, and family support. From his beginnings as a substitute teacher to his current role as director of the Fort Worth ISD Family Action Center, Dr. Walker has dedicated over two decades to uplifting families and empowering children through education.
His journey reflects not only his passion for public service but also his belief in the transformative power of strong communities. Inspired by his mother's teachings on leadership and independence, Dr. Walker's commitment to creating positive change has shaped the lives of countless individuals across Fort Worth, Texas.
"My mother would tell me, “Be a leader and stop following the crowd.” She taught me to be an independent thinker and to create a vision for my life. She demonstrated hard work and determination through her actions as a single parent and the sole provider for our household. I am grateful for the life lessons I learned from my mother growing up."
From Student to Public Servant: How High School Experiences Inspired His Career in Public Service
"I knew I wanted to be in public service when I was in high school. I was a student assistant for one of my math teachers, and she would allow me to teach the class. That experience pushed me on the path to education.," shared Dr. Walker.
Later, as a senior class president, Dr. Walker spent a lot of time with his high school principal, Mr. Dansby, who also inspired him to pursue a career in the field of education. He added,
"When I started working with the school district, I saw a lot of families who didn't qualify for Community Action Partners by just a couple of dollars, but they were still in need. That's where the desire came to do something for those families who don't meet the poverty guidelines."
Dr. Walker's decision to create a nonprofit was an extension of his passion for public service. "Coming up with something to assist those families is where that came from. Around the same time, I had a community leader, Ms. Sandra Stanley, tell me that I needed to start a nonprofit and pay it forward. That’s really where it came from - it was just her calling me and giving me a directive to do it," said Dr. Walker.
From Ideas to Action: How Community Engagement Drives Progress in Education
"I look at community engagement as meeting people where they are and coming up with a common vision that will move the needle for the group. For example, we recently had a visioning workshop at Dunbar High School. We invited parents, students, philanthropists, community members at large, school district personnel, clergy, and city staff. We wanted all the voices in the room where everyone, from every sector, could be represented.
During the workshop, we did what is called a Thought Exchange. The idea is to allow everybody to say what is on their mind and then let others have an opportunity to rate that idea through an online platform. At the end, we summarize the collective thoughts of everyone who wanted to participate and provide their input.
We created a Collective Action Network for individuals who were interested in working on the ideas that were discussed during the visioning workshop. That is my version of community engagement - when everyone was invited and had an opportunity to provide input. Everybody's voice must be heard, and action taken around the collective vision of everyone."
His Thoughts about Building Positive Relationships in Education and Nonprofit Space
1. The impact of trauma on kids and adults in education
"We need more educators who are concerned about our kids and the things that impact them, like the trauma that our kids experience. COVID brought a lot of things out into the open, and we must pay attention to the mental health needs, not just the kids, but also the adults who are working with our kids as well."
2. The qualities needed to succeed in education and nonprofits
"If you’re interested in getting into the education or the nonprofit space, it’s all about being able to build positive relationships and having a heart to serve others. You must be a people person and be able to build positive relationships. You must have a collaborative spirit when working with or helping others."
3. The importance of community engagement
"You do not have to be an expert on everything because community engagement should be “a collective” work. Find your niche and find others who have different skill sets than you, so when you all come together, you will be a powerful team."
4. The role of educators and nonprofit leaders in helping others reach their potential
"It is important to understand these roles require you to help others understand their purpose as they strive to reach their full potential."
"Everyone will not see your vision or believe in the work that you are doing, but you must keep your eyes on the prize and stay focused on what you are trying to accomplish."
Building a New Dream: Creating the Fort Worth Children's Partnership
Dr. Walker also shared how his passion for bringing a grant program to his community ultimately led to the creation of a new partnership.
"When I was an assistant principal of a high school and attending the University of North Texas, we applied for the Promise Neighborhoods Grant," Dr. Walker said. "I told him how impressed I was by the grant program and how much I wanted to bring it to our community. He brought his entire team to our campus, and I was excited about the opportunities this grant could provide for our students and the community."
Unfortunately, the grant did not come through, but Dr. Walker did not give up on his dream. He became the principal of a middle school and found a new school partner in the Rainwater Foundation.
"I presented the grant proposal to Walter Rainwater, and he decided to make this a project for his foundation," Dr. Walker continued. "Mr. Rainwater spoke with two other local foundations, Amon Carter and Sid Richardson, to get their support. This was the creation of the Morningside Children's Partnership, which later evolved into the Fort Worth Children's Partnership."
Through the partnership, children in the Fort Worth area have access to various resources and programs to help them succeed in school and beyond.
Purposeful Service
Dr. Carlos Walker's journey illustrates the profound impact one dedicated individual can have on a community. From his early inspiration from his mother's leadership lessons to his innovative approaches to education and community engagement, Walker embodies the true spirit of public service. His work with the Fort Worth Children's Partnership demonstrates that meaningful change happens when passionate leaders listen to diverse voices, understand community needs, and take collaborative action.
As Walker himself noted, success in public service isn't about being an expert in everything but about building positive relationships, serving others, and maintaining an unwavering focus on your vision. His story is a reminder that transformative leadership begins with a heart committed to lifting others and a belief that every voice matters.
For aspiring educators, community leaders, and changemakers, Dr. Carlos Walker's path offers these tips: stay curious, remain compassionate, and never underestimate the ripple effect of dedicated community service. In a world that often feels divided, he shows us how bringing people together, truly listening, and working collectively can create lasting, meaningful progress.
More Resources
Take a look at these resources and organizations mentioned by Dr. Walker:
Fort Worth ISD Family Action Center is a community resource center supporting families and students in the Fort Worth Independent School District by providing access to essential services, academic support, and family engagement programs.
Community Action Partners (CAP) is a program of the City of Fort Worth that provides financial assistance, case management, and resources to low-income families to help them achieve self-sufficiency.
Dunbar High School is a Fort Worth ISD public high school serving students in the Dunbar community, offering academic programs, extracurricular activities, and college and career readiness initiatives.
University of North Texas (UNT) is a major public research university based in Denton, TX, offering diverse undergraduate and graduate programs with a strong focus on innovation, research, and student success.
Rainwater Foundation is a private philanthropic organization based in Fort Worth, dedicated to funding initiatives that promote education, social services, and community development.
Amon Carter Foundation is a foundation supporting arts, education, and social service programs in the Fort Worth area, continuing the philanthropic legacy of Amon G. Carter.
Sid Richardson Foundation is a nonprofit organization providing grants to Texas-based educational, healthcare, human service, and cultural programs to improve community well-being.