Failing Forward: My Story of Rising Through the Rubble

 I know what it feels like to give your all to something that was born out of compassion—only to see it misunderstood, mislabeled, and shut down. Years ago, I founded a school for adults who had never completed high school. It was more than a school—it was a second chance. A place where people who had been counted out could rise, reclaim their future, and walk across a stage with dignity.

We were doing meaningful work. Lives were being changed. Families were being restored.

But then everything shifted.

Our accreditation was no longer honored by the Department of Education. The local newspaper ran a story that labeled us a "diploma mill." That headline stung—not just because of how it looked, but because of how it felt. It misrepresented the heart of the mission and the hope we were building.

Eventually, I made the painful decision to close the school. And in that moment, I had a choice: let the failure define me—or let it refine me.

I chose to fail forward.  

Dr. Ira in Ghana with mentor King of Development (HRH Dr. Clyde Rivers)

What Failing Forward Looked Like For Me

I didn’t disappear. I didn’t let the headline have the last word. Instead, I became even more committed to equipping people—not just with diplomas, but with tools to succeed in life.

That’s when my journey as a life skills educator began.

I became certified by Les Brown as a Speaker, Coach, and Trainer. I joined I Change Nations and became a Civility Ambassador, promoting respect, leadership, and dignity in divided spaces. I began writing books—some on my own, others in collaboration with powerful voices. My words began to reach those who needed them most.

In 2020, I was humbled to receive the World Greatness Award, and in 2024, the Presidential Service Award—not for being perfect, but for persevering.

More than any accolade, my greatest honor is this: I’ve now helped over 300 returning citizens—people coming home from incarceration—find employment, develop job readiness skills, and rebuild their lives with purpose.

And now, for the first time, I’m hosting a ceremony to honor justice-impacted citizens who have made lasting differences in their communities. This isn’t just an event—it’s a celebration of redemption, resilience, and real transformation. 

What I Learned in the Fall and the Rise

Failing forward taught me that failure doesn’t always look like a closed door—sometimes it looks like a new direction. It taught me that every headline doesn’t speak the whole truth, and that when your heart is aligned with service, purpose will always find a new platform.

I could’ve quit. But instead, I recalibrated.

I took the pain, the press, and the pressure—and I turned it into passion, platforms, and people-focused purpose.

To Anyone Who’s Been Misunderstood, Shut Down, or Counted Out

This is for you: Your story isn’t over. Your failure isn’t final. And your purpose doesn’t expire because of one tough chapter.

You have the power to fail forward—to take what tried to bury you and use it to build something better.

You don’t have to be perfect to be powerful—just keep going.

Keep pressing. Keep speaking. Keep serving. There’s greatness in your scars, and your future is still worth fighting for.  

Professor Ira Roach III is the founder of Focus Forward Global Civility Movement and the Senior Pastor of the City of Refuge Church Inc. He is also a Professor of Searcher Education and Vice- Chancellor of Communication and Development at United Graduate College and Seminary International.  and founder  of Ubuntu Graduate College and International Seminary,  He holds a Doctorate in Christian Counseling, Christian Education and a Certified Christian Coach.