We’re looking forward to introducing you to Mr. Dion Green. Check out our conversation below.
Dion , we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Establishing The Fudge Foundation Office and Community Resource Center stands out as one of my most fulfilling achievements. Witnessing a vision transform into a tangible space dedicated to healing, personal growth, and fostering community connections fills me with immense pride. This center transcends the concept of a mere building; it represents resilience, purpose, and the spirit of giving back to those in need.
Throughout the journey of bringing this project to life, I was constantly reminded of the foundational reason behind The Fudge Foundation: to convert pain into purpose and extend a lifeline of hope to individuals seeking support and guidance. The thoughtful design of the space, infused with warmth and accessibility, mirrors our commitment to inclusivity and community well-being.
I take great pride in knowing that this center will serve as a sanctuary where people can come together, share their stories, and empower each other. I am confident that for years to come, it will uplift spirits and nurture the growth of countless individuals in my community, truly making a lasting impact.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Dion Green, and I’m the founder of The Fudge Foundation, an organization born from the depths of tragedy and the light of hope. My journey began with the profound loss of my father, Derrick Fudge, during the tragic mass shooting in Dayton in 2019. In the wake of this heartbreaking event, I made a solemn promise to transform my anguish into action, channeling my pain into a purposeful mission dedicated to helping others heal from trauma and find strength through faith and resilience.
Through The Fudge Foundation, I have developed a range of innovative programs and strategic partnerships aimed at supporting survivors, affected families, and communities grappling with the devastating impacts of violence and hardship. One of my proudest achievements is the establishment of The Fudge Foundation Office and Community Resource Center. This center serves as a vital hub where individuals can access essential resources, obtain mentorship, and receive emotional support. It is much more than merely a building; it is a sanctuary where healing begins, hope flourishes, and meaningful connections are fostered.
What truly sets my work apart is the deeply personal nature of my mission. Having navigated the path of loss and recovery myself, I possess an intimate understanding of the profound significance of support, compassion, and a safe environment for rebuilding one’s life. My commitment is to continue serving as a bridge for others, offering not just healing and love but also a renewed sense of purpose to those who need it most. Each story of resilience I encounter further fuels my determination to create a world where hope thrives even in the face of adversity.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
The moment that forever altered my perception of the world came with the heartbreaking loss of my father, Derrick Fudge, during the tragic mass shooting in Dayton in 2019. That day shattered my sense of normalcy and plunged me into a deeply painful reality. Yet, amid that sorrow, something profound stirred within me. I came to understand that while tragedy can indeed break us, it can also serve as a catalyst for growth — if we allow faith, love, and resilience to guide us.
Rather than allowing my pain to define who I am, I chose to transform it into purpose. I founded The Fudge Foundation as a tribute to my father’s memory, opening a pathway to help others who are grappling with trauma, violence, and loss. Every step of this journey has reinforced my belief that our world is desperately in need of more empathy, understanding, and individuals willing to turn their suffering into strength.
Today, through The Fudge Foundation Community Resource Center, I envision a world where healing is not just a possibility, but a reality. Together, we can take the pain that has once threatened to consume us and use it as a foundation to foster hope, unity, and meaningful change for ourselves and others.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I stopped hiding my pain when I realized that silence was slowly destroying me. After losing my father, Derrick Fudge, in the 2019 Dayton mass shooting, I carried a heavy burden that felt impossible to share. For a long time, I wore strength like armor — smiling on the outside while breaking on the inside. I thought if I stayed quiet, I could protect myself. But silence doesn’t heal wounds; it deepens them.
The turning point came when I realized my story wasn’t meant to be buried — it was meant to be told. Speaking my truth gave my pain purpose, turning my grief into fuel and my wounds into wisdom. That’s when The Fudge Foundation was born — out of loss, but built on love, faith, and the belief that healing is possible for everyone.
Now, through The Fudge Foundation Community Resource Center, I use my voice to empower those who feel unseen. My past taught me pain, and my purpose taught me power. I no longer hide from my story — I live it, share it, and use it to help others find their own paths to healing and hope.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
A belief and mission I’m committed to — no matter how long it takes — is fighting for the well-being of others and ensuring that victims and survivors have access to the rights and resources they deserve. Too often, people impacted by violence and trauma are left to navigate their pain alone. I refuse to let that continue.
Through The Fudge Foundation, I’ve made it my life’s work to be a voice for the unheard — to push for change, build support systems, and create spaces of healing and empowerment. This isn’t just a project; it’s a lifelong commitment. I believe that every victim should have access to care, counseling, and community no matter where they live.
As long as there are people hurting and voices not being heard, I’ll keep fighting — because healing and justice shouldn’t have an expiration date.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
What I understand deeply — something most people don’t — is the process of trying to heal from trauma and grief. People often think healing has an end point, like one day you wake up and the pain is gone. But the truth is, for many of us, healing isn’t a destination — it’s a lifelong journey. Some people never fully heal; they just learn how to carry their pain differently.
After losing my father in the Dayton mass shooting, I learned that grief changes you. It reshapes how you see the world and how you move through it. You spend your life trying to restore the joy that was taken, piece by piece. But there’s no timeline, no finish line — just progress, patience, and faith.
Healing takes time — sometimes a lifetime — and that’s okay. What matters most is that you keep moving forward, even when it hurts, and allow your story to become a light for others still trying to find their way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.fudgefoundation.org
- Instagram: dion.green.794
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dion-green-mba
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dion.green.794
Image Credits
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