Although not always wrapped within the shiny gates of triumph, Milan Ray Balinton epitomizes what the road to success often entails. Forcing himself past the hurdle of living with a learning disorder, traversing beyond his start in the impoverished Hunters Point neighborhood of San Francisco, and lifting the barrier presented to him as an African-American young man, Mr. Balinton has conversely shaken the community with his resounding presence and has ventured on to become a highly sought after asset within the African-American community.
During his early years, Mr. Balinton was introduced to the NAACP organization by his grandmother who took him by the hand, urging him to “give back to the community, for many have sacrificed so that we could be free, and you must do the same.” These words, which planted a continual reminder, were often what he re-visited and used to overcome the obstacles set before him along his endeavor.
For over 15 years, Mr. Balinton has diligently served the community within various capacities which landed him innumerable leadership and committee representative appointments.
Since graduating from San Jose State University in 2009 with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Communications, Mr. Balinton has continued to devote ample time to service while completing the Executive Master's in Public Administration program at Golden Gate University, in San Francisco, CA. Milan has served in several leadership roles, including, but not limited to: Past Alumni Board of Directors, for the Western Region, Past President of the San Jose Alumni Chapter, Past Advisor of the Delta Rho Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., member of the 100 Black Men Silicon Valley Chapter; Past President of the National Pan-Hellenic Council- Santa Clara Valley Chapter, former mentor for the Tiger Woods Foundation, member of the Black Leadership Kitchen Cabinet, National Forum Black Public Administrators, member of Maranatha Christian Center, the new SJSU Black Alumni Network, Lions International, CEO of Rise and Shine Consulting LLC and currently the Executive Director of the African American Community Service Agency, to name a few.
Milan R. Balinton is the voice of triumph for those who are often left unheard while facing defeat. People living with disabilities, students, seniors, and the very least of them appreciate the once young boy who made a decision to heed his grandmother's words of wisdom not knowing that years later those same words would be what has single-handedly changed his life as he continues to pay it forward.
Achievements to Mention:
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