Meet Loren Cross | Creator & CEO

We had the good fortune of connecting with Loren Cross and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Loren, what do you want your legacy to be?
At first glance I thought it would be easy answering this question, but as I began to think about the answer it became more complex. Anytime someone hears the word “hood” they automatically think Helping Others Open Doors, that is what I want my legacy to be. My legacy is one that displays one person going the extra mile to prove a h.o.o.d. lifestyle can spread across the globe for the greater good of us all. I want to be remembered for helping others open doors in any capacity no matter how hard it may seem considering today’s times. Creating H.O.O.D. alone is my legacy that will carry on for years to come. Helping Others Open Doors or H.O.O.D. is a marathon that will be run by others long after I’m gone to ensure that THE H.O.O.D. NEVER DIES!!!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Creating and operating H.O.O.D. is my life’s work, it sets me apart from others because even though I was chosen to do the work the benefit of it stretches far beyond myself. Honestly I reached this point through trail and error there hasn’t been a play by play or a handbook provided for me to show me how to get to the next level. This journey hasn’t been easy by a long shot but I never gave up on the idea of helping others open doors. Along the way I’ve learned to simply believe and do the work regardless of the following be it big or small. I’ll never stop being h.o.o.d. it’s inside my body despite the fact that it’s a road less traveled we were created to change that. The story behind the brand is, help for me was far and in between coming up and I saw that as issue that needed some light shed onto it. I want the world to know it’s an opportunity to be h.o.o.d. just about anywhere you look and if someone see’s that they can Help Others Open Doors they should do just that.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m not super big on the club scene and all that so the itinerary may not be as exciting as some may expect. I know for sure we would do Breakfast Bothers in Arlington, Texas and some shopping. I love the Galleria that’s my go to mall, maybe even ice skate while we’re there. I basically would show them how being h.o.o.d. works passing out food and personal hygiene items to the less fortunate. Here recently I’ve ventured over into rap so of course we would have to hit the studio!! I’m pretty basic as far things I do in my everyday life but I love the finer things so going to the high-end restaurants and stores would be the bulk of the itinerary.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I dedicate this shoutout to my mother, she’s taught me basically everything I know and the love and support from her is unmatched. The encouragement from family and a couple of friends has helped me to continue on this journey. Although the number of people are few the impact that they’ve had on H.O.O.D. itself is greatly appreciated. With this shoutout I personally thank all the H.O.O.D. Star’s that believe in me and the organization.

Website: http://hoodlove2.wixsite.com/nonprofit

Instagram: @h.o.o.d.__

Facebook: londee_mcm