My name is Mary Lee Taylor Rolle Toney. I am the proud mother of two handsome men and a beautiful young lady. Their names are Carlos, Corey, and Naima. I also have two beautiful grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Their names are Carlos II, Sydney and Carlos Carnel. I would like to give you a brief synopsis of the birth of the foundation that the Lord gave to our son, Corey Lavon Rolle.
Curtis Rolle (my late husband) and I were together for 12 years. Out of this union, the Lord blessed us with two handsome boys. Carlos, our firstborn was a very shy, loving and protective child, especially when Corey was born. Carlos was 4 years old. At this time, there was a TV program called "Julia Baker." It was about a young African-American single mother, raising her young son, who's name was Corey. We loved this program. After Corey was born and Carlos knew that he had a baby brother, he asked us, could we name him Corey. It was a great idea because we didn't have a name and I wanted a name that started with the letter "C", like Curtis and Carlos. We all agreed on the blessing. Carlos was his brother's keeper from birth. Corey was a creative, loving, talkative, outgoing little boy, who loved to eat. He would stay in the house, instead of going outside to play for hours, building with his wooden blocks. I would often tease him about, staying inside to be close to the refrigerator.
In June 1975, I became a widow due to gun violence. Carlos was 9 and Corey was 5. It was an unexpected devastating time for us. Through my tears, I could see the fear on our little boys' faces. You think about, if it's frightening for an adult ...what it must be like for a child. I started praying and asked the Lord for strength, knowing that these 2 little human beings were now depending on me. Corey came over to me with a hug and said, "don't worry mommy, I'll take care of you." All I could do was smile. This would be one of the most difficult challenges I would face, "for such a time as this." It was time for some very serious conversations; birth, life, and death. Also lots of love, assurance, and togetherness.
Moving forward, 3 years later, Corey is in the 3rd grade and Carlos is on the 7th. Corey was not comprehending well in some of his assignments. I took the approach of spending extra time with him on all subjects. He begins to do better and I could see improvements, but not to my satisfaction. By the end of the school year, his grades had improved and he got promoted. I was apprehensive about sending him to 4th grade. Later, after talking to him and letting him know I didn't think he was ready to move forward. I decided that I would take him to school the next day and talk to the principal, Mr. K. Carlton. Mr. Carlton was not in agreement with me letting Corey repeat the 3rd grade. I let Mr. Carlton know that I didn't need his permission and I'm not going to stand by and allow my child to be lost in society later in life. He agreed. I'm grateful to God daily for making that decision and Corey has thanked me numerous times. We also laugh about it. He's intelligent, articulate, determined, respectful to all and God has blessed him with discernment and insight. We spend hours on the phone.
In 2015, Corey called to tell me that, the Lord placed it on his heart to start a single mother's foundation to name it, "The Mary Lee Taylor Foundation." Of course, I was elated, proud, joyful and overwhelmed. Most of the time when people name foundations after someone, they're deceased. I'm so grateful to God. Over the past few years, we've been letting the Lord lead with our ideas, goals, sponsors, purposes, etc. for the foundation and we're experiencing His favor. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: What our favorite program was about and where his name came from. He was just a baby! Look at God.
Thanks to all for your support,
Mary Lee Taylor Rolle Toney
The Mary Lee Taylor Foundation for Single Mothers is a non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating generational poverty by creating generational wealth opportunities and providing financial stability, multiple career opportunities, and social support for single mothers.
We have collaborated with The Rolle Group, a broker of commercial contracts, to develop a partnership with businesses to provide a product to the community while benefiting the Foundation.
Although we accept donations, we are interested in building long-term relationships with individuals and organizations. We value partnerships that help us further our cause and assist our partners with their goals and objectives.
We value our partnerships to such an extent that we also use our proceeds to support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Wounded Warriors, and Easter Seals.
Single mothers are the most resourceful and creative individuals because they are the only breadwinner for the entire family. The Mary Lee Taylor Foundation for Single Mothers is committed to assisting single parents and children receive the necessary facets of community to create whole healthy lives. Through mentoring programs and strategic financial assistance the Mary Lee Taylor Foundation for Single Mothers is committed to eliminating generational poverty.
His family structure changed forever. He told his mother, Mary Lee Taylor, at his father's funeral that he would take care of her. According to Corey Rolle, “I knew at that point my mother had to be both mother and father. My view of women is extremely different than most as a product of being raised by my mother and great-grandmother (Ola Ross).”
Corey’s relationship with his mother and great-grandmother (Ola Ross) has always been a blessing because they taught him how to listen, respect, and talk to women. He believes that all of the adversity he experienced early in his life was the beginning of a solid foundation where he learned about integrity, character, and values. Corey reveals, “I lost my father, but I gained so much more when my mother and great-grandmother stepped in and took full responsibility. They taught a young boy how to be a man who would learn how to appreciate and value the self-worth of a woman. I will always be a protector of God's most sacred creation which is a woman.”
Corey played college football at Kentucky Wesleyan and graduated with honors from Bethune Cookman College with a BA in Communications. After working at the Orlando Sentinel, he joined The Coca-Cola Company where he worked in sales.
After eight years in Corporate America, Corey decided to go out on his own and start his first company, Unique Touch, a successful car detailing business servicing over 3,500 clients. Through Unique Touch's success, Corey started a consulting firm, The Rolle Group, that works with a number of small and large businesses across a variety of industries.
Corey's passion is to help empower as many single mothers as possible. Single mothers are the most resourceful and creative individuals because they are the only breadwinner for the entire family. This cause is personal to him and the Mary Lee Taylor Foundation for Single Mothers significantly impacts every Single-Mother they serve. Diversity and inclusion is an immense strength for the Mary Lee Taylor Foundation for Single Mothers team.
I want to acknowledge and show respect to every woman who are the backbone and lifeblood of the world. Women are the olive branch of life and most sacred creation of all times. I think it's a good idea to honor women in the month of March. Nonetheless, I prefer and recommend that men should honor and respect women everyday of the year. Women are vital and essential in every aspect of life. Indeed, you are the crown jewels of society. Thank you for your leadership, resilience, intelligence, and compassion.
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