My name is Derek Lamont White. I was raised in Norfolk VA. I turned 47 years old on August 13th of 2025. I am the founder of T.E.A.R.R.S. This idea was formed through a series of choices that landed me in prison.

Committing robberies and experimenting with drugs was not the future I foreseen for myself. But all too often we follow in the footsteps of those who are just as lost as we are, thinking we know something they didn’t.
I grew up with a strong influential family that loved and guided me away from the streets but we can’t see what’s best for us when we are still searching for our true identities. My mother more than gave me the values and instilled what true integrity meant. However you have to first learn to invest in yourself through applying conscious self-love and self-respect; changing your view of the world around you. I wish I would have listened and learned this lesson sooner. I also wish I could take back all the hurt I caused along the way, I can’t. I can, however, dedicate the rest of my life to making a positive difference in peoples lives that may never get to meet me but through the actions of the T.E.A.R.R.S. family may help them in their time of need. This alone helps me to make atonement for my misguided and selfish train of thought.

My hope is that my children, (Derica, Davaren, Nevaeh, and Demarion) will follow in these footsteps and become servants of their community, perpetuating an idea of togetherness, humanity, and strength.

Something I believe us as a people need to get back to.