About Growing Up Inc.

Our Story

Growing Up Inc. was founded in 2021 by Cotey Wynn and Boye Sofidiya, two community leaders who saw a clear reality: far too many young people were only receiving help after a crisis, conflict, or violent incident had already taken place. Both founders had spent years working directly with youth across Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia — mediating conflicts, supporting students with behavioral challenges, and responding to situations that could have been prevented with earlier intervention. Instead of waiting until young people were already in trouble, Cotey and Boye made a conscious decision to meet youth earlier — in classrooms, hallways, after school, and on the routes they travel every day. They believed that if trusted adults could build relationships before a young person reached a breaking point, the entire trajectory of their life could change. This belief became the foundation of Growing Up Inc.’s violence prevention and interruption model. The founders understood that violence is not just an “incident” — it is a pattern shaped by disconnection, trauma, unmet needs, and lack of consistent support. By combining early intervention, Safe Passage support, mentoring, mediation, and community-based relationship building, Growing Up Inc. created a holistic approach that prevents harm long before it starts. Since 2021, the organization has grown from a small idea to a full nonprofit 501(c)(3) operating across the region. Today, the team works daily with students, families, and schools to create safer pathways, nurture leadership, and guide young people toward stability and opportunity. What began as a response to rising violence has evolved into a movement: empowering youth to grow, rise, and build better futures — before they are pushed toward the wrong path.