My Story
Darrell Yates is the founder and creative designer of HENDO Health and Wellness - a company committed to holistic transformation. His global imprint is regionally recognized as an advocate for community service, equity and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. His weeklong contribution towards building homes in Houma, New Orleans, shortly after Hurricane Katrina, remains as one of his most thought provoking domestic memory as a volunteer which included visiting devastated families in the 9th Ward. Darrell often avoids the notoriety that sometimes come with community engagement due to his belief of blessing given, blessings received. He has provided countless hours of service including being a co-chair via a local Habitat for Humanity project, suppling school supplies to a small k-12 school Cuba, as well as devoting five plus hours volunteer service at a local farm in Cuba along with supplying school supplies to a modest village school in Ntonso, Ghana within the Ashanti Region, just to name a few.
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Growing up in a working class town in western Kentucky, Darrell knows firsthand what it’s like to face challenges in life through his own personal battles as they relate to academics, being a student athlete, racism, friendship choices and other personal obstacles. One of his toughest challenges was caring for his college sweetheart and fiancé, Arenthia Gill, while she courageously and graciously fought to live with stage IV cancer but succumbed to this disease after 10 years.
Darrell has devoted his 30 plus year career to helping at-risk teens, young adults and their families from all ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. He has remained employed for more than 22 years at the 22nd Judicial Circuit of Missouri and was a member of the Sex Trafficking Committee of St. Louis. Darrell created, organized, and facilitated the Kings and Queens Youth Mentoring Program at Ashland Elementary School. This program was a mentoring/lifestyle volunteer group (for 4th through 6th grade students), created to influence their decision making and positive engagement not only within their homes but among the community as well. This program would often clean up around the community, volunteer at the neighborhood senior building, learn the importance of leadership in the class as well as numerous other positive engagements. At the end of each school year, Darrell and his co-host, volunteered their time and finances to transport a select small group of King and Queen participants to Memphis Tennessee to the Civil Rights museum and Lamberts. Darrell is the creator and host of For Example podcast, a monthly live social media discussion regarding current issues and mental wellness, as well as other volunteer services throughout the year.
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Darrell holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Southeast Missouri State University and a Master of Arts in Legal Studies from Webster University. At Webster University he held several positions of influence, completed 3 terms as an active member on Webster University Alumni Board of Directors, served as co-chair of the community outreach programs, and conducted break-out cultural diversity sessions.
During his tenure as the President of the African American Alumni Chapter (AAAC) at Webster University, he created a mentoring program with the Association for African American Collegians students that mentored Ashland Elementary children. This program lasted for three years which included a career day and a tour of Webster University at the end of each school year.
Darrell is a Certified Paralegal and a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT). He is a proud active member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. He received the 2020 Elizabeth Newell (Loyalty) Award from Webster University.
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In addition to all the above, Darrell enjoys traveling and experiencing new things. Darrell has had the opportunity to travel throughout the world to observe and learn from other cultures. He has traveled Europe, Belize, Spain, Cuba, Italy, Egypt, South Africa-Johannesburg/Cape Town which included a visit to the jail Nelson Mandela was housed in, Peru, and experienced the most amazing historical educational lesson in Ghana. Most recently visited Brazil and enjoyed four amazing islands throughout the Rio De Janeiro region which included the completion of the most challenging hike to date.
My Vision
Darrell “Yogi” Yates is passionate about encouraging other to adhere to a healthy lifestyle, appropriately address mental issues, community engagement and enjoying life to the fullest. Darrell has made it his mission to empower people to reach their fullest potential by striving to become the best mental/physical versions of themselves despite current or past circumstances. He believes that we can rise above undesirable circumstances by unbias communication and developing internal growth.
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MY PURPOSE
Without question, my passion is displayed through my actions. I am aware that I am flawed, however, my 5 HENDO principals has guided me to find my purpose and bless others throughout my journey. The time is now to enjoy the blessing bestowed upon us, put aside our pride, visualize success, strategize goal(s) and accept life’s journey with an open mind without the fear of being uncomfortable. Allow me to guide you to a healthy lifestyle and lets move forward together.
"Blessing Given, Blessings Received..."
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H - Humility
E - Education
N - Navigation
D - Dedication
O - Observation