The Club Inspired Me to Pursue My Dreams

Dariyon Battle-Vaughn has many fond memories of his time spent at the Boys & Girls Clubs. He started attending the Walter P. Taylor Boys & Girls Club at the age of 10 and remained a member there until he graduated high school. The Club became his safety net, when he moved to Knoxville from St. Louis with his mother. He says that Mr. J.R., who was the Club Director for the entire time he was a Club member at Walter P. Taylor, became his second family, and gave him a sense of belonging. He credits the Club for inspiring him to pursue his dreams and giving him the tools to do so.

“I remember watching one episode of MasterChef, and knowing in my heart that I wanted to be just like Gordon Ramsay. I went to the Club the next day and told Mr. J.R. that I wanted to be a chef. Immediately, Mr. J.R. made some calls and got me enrolled in a culinary class at the University of Tennessee, where I earned my certification from the UT Culinary Program.

When I first moved to Knoxville, I didn’t have any friends and only had my mom, no other family. Everyone at the Walter P. Taylor Boys & Girls Club welcomed me with open arms and truly gave me a sense of belonging and the true feeling of family. They encouraged me to do well in school, keep good company, and work on my plans for the future. I am so thankful for the Boys & Girls Clubs and especially Mr. J.R.”.

Dariyon is now the General Manager of L&O BBQ, located in Marble City Market, in the newly opened Regas Square. He plans to learn all he can about the restaurant business and hopes to one day open his own restaurant or food truck. We know that Dariyon will achieve his dreams, and everyone at Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley is cheering him on. Please stop by and visit Dariyon and try some of his delicious BBQ!