Daryle Allums: From Street Life to Community Leadership

Daryle Allums is a man shaped by his experiences in Deep East Oakland, a neighborhood rich in history but marked by systemic challenges. His journey from basketball dreams to street survival, entrepreneurship, and community activism is a testament to resilience and the power of transformation. Today, he is a youth advocate, violence prevention activist, and founder of the "Stop Killing Our Kids" movement, working to save lives and create lasting change.

A Dual Reality

Growing up in Oakland, Daryle was surrounded by both opportunity and adversity.

Raised by a strong family with Louisiana roots, he learned the values of faith, respect, and hard work.

However, the streets outside his home painted a different picture—one of economic struggles, violence, and limited opportunities.

Basketball became his escape, offering him a path to success beyond the dangers of his neighborhood.

His skills on the court gained attention, and he was on the verge of a promising athletic future. However, a life-altering incident in high school led to his expulsion, abruptly cutting short his basketball dreams. With no clear path forward, he found himself pulled into a different kind of hustle—one of survival.

The Street Hustle & Entrepreneurial Mindset

Like many young men in similar environments, Daryle turned to the street economy to support himself. He quickly learned valuable lessons in negotiation, finance, and risk management—but at a cost. He witnessed firsthand the dangers of street life, losing close friends to violence, and experiencing the emotional toll of the lifestyle.

Determined to find a legal and sustainable way out, he transitioned into entrepreneurship. Starting with a food truck business, he applied his street hustle mentality to legitimate business practices.

What began as selling meals from a station wagon evolved into a successful mobile food operation, serving the community and providing jobs.

Personal Loss & the Birth of "Stop Killing Our Kids"

Daryle’s activism was born from deep personal loss. In 2016, his close friend Kyler and Kyler’s daughter were tragically killed. Later, his own son lost his life in a devastating accident. These experiences reinforced his commitment to preventing violence and supporting grieving families.

Out of this pain, he founded "Stop Killing Our Kids", a movement dedicated to:

• Advocating for youth violence prevention.

• Providing grief support for families affected by loss.

• Raising awareness on the root causes of community violence.

  
  

Through this initiative, Daryle has been a voice for change, ensuring that young lives are valued, protected, and given opportunities to succeed.

As his activism grew, Daryle expanded his focus to locating and rescuing missing children.

• His team has successfully found and returned over 300 children.

• He works closely with families, law enforcement, and local leaders to ensure safe recoveries.

• His mission highlights the connection between missing youth, human trafficking, and systemic failures in protecting vulnerable communities.

His work in this area has earned him widespread recognition and has brought much-needed attention to an issue often overlooked.

Building a Healing Coalition: From Crisis to Community Power

In 2020, as the world faced the devastating effects of COVID-19, communities like Deep East and West Oakland were hit hardest—underserved, under-resourced, and left out of critical public health outreach. Daryle Allums once again stepped up, founding the Oakland Frontline Healers (OFH)—a coalition of grassroots leaders, healers, and service providers determined to fill the gaps and reach the people being left behind.

OFH became a lifeline, providing COVID testing, vaccinations, food, PPE, and wellness services. But it also sparked something bigger—a renewed movement centered in community-led healing and restoration.

From this seed, Haven for Black Healing (HBH) was born. HBH is a trauma-informed initiative rooted in culturally relevant healing practices, offering safe spaces and services for Black and marginalized communities to recover from systemic and interpersonal harm. Daryle’s leadership helped shape HBH into a powerful hub of transformation.

Central to HBH is the Credible Messenger movement, a coalition of individuals with lived experience—many of whom, like Daryle, have turned pain into purpose. These Messengers act as community liaisons, violence interrupters, and policy advocates. Under Daryle’s guidance, they are bridging the gap between those most impacted by violence and the systems meant to protect and serve them.

What started as a response to a health crisis has evolved into a coalition for equity, healing, and safety—proving once again that real change begins with those closest to the pain. Daryle Allums continues to lead from the front, building coalitions that empower communities to heal and rise together.

Partnership with BOSS: Strengthening the Movement

Through Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency (BOSS), Daryle has further amplified his impact. His partnership with BOSS has allowed him to:

• Expand violence prevention programs in Oakland.

• Support youth mentorship and leadership development.

• Create community healing initiatives to help families cope with trauma.

BOSS has provided him with the resources and platform to reach more people, ensuring that his work continues to make a long-term impact.

Legacy & Lasting Impact

Daryle Allums' story is one of transformation, redemption, and resilience. From a young man navigating the streets to a leader saving lives, he has become a symbol of hope in his community. His message is clear: change is possible, and it starts with action.

Through mentorship, advocacy, and direct intervention, he continues to inspire and uplift those around him. His story is proof that no matter where you come from, you have the power to create a better future—not just for yourself, but for generations to come.

By addressing violence, missing children, and youth empowerment, he has made a tangible difference in hundreds of lives. His partnership with BOSS further solidifies his mission, proving that community-driven solutions are the key to real change.

At BOSS, we believe that one mistake should not define a lifetime. For the thousands of individuals coming home from incarceration, surviving homelessness, or recovering from trauma—what they need most is a fair shot. A chance to rebuild, to heal, to contribute, to thrive.

Your donation gives more than shelter. It gives dignity, employment, mental health care, mentorship, and a path forward.

We are on the frontlines—meeting people where they are and walking with them as they rise. But we can’t do it without you.

This Second Chance Month will help us fund job training, housing support, mental health services, and reentry programs that break cycles and build futures.