John Perkins Jr. is a native Detroiter born on the east side of the city. His father, John Perkins Sr. was a carpenter and community liaison, who in the late 1980s provided resources for his community, such as building affordable housing and laundromats.Perkins Sr. taught his son the trade of carpentry, and at an early age Perkins Jr. knew that he wanted to follow his father’s footsteps and continue the elder’s legacy.

​

In 2015, Perkins Jr. enrolled in the Detroit Carpentry Apprenticeship School, where he worked on the construction of Little Caesar Arena as a carpenter apprentice. While working, he saw a gap between construction jobs and Detroit’s youth. He knew he had the ability to change things and teach what his father once taught him. Perkins ultimately developed a new passion for mentoring and educating youth about the construction industry.

​

In 2016, Perkins became a youth developer and mentor to pay it forward for upcoming generations. He feels that every individual has the ability to learn, and with the right opportunity, the person can become successful in life. Perkins attends multiple organizational functions, churches, and community events, where he educates and provides information to youth regarding opportunities in the construction industry. “The most rewarding part is being able to give back to individuals so they can create a legacy for someone else,” said Perkins. “The construction aspect is not as important as being able to help someone develop a passion for their career.

 

The goal of Legacy Development Foundation is to bring forth pre-apprenticeship opportunities for our youth in the community that will provide them with foundational skills in an applicable environment.” The foundation is a source of great pride for Perkins, because it helps Detroit youth get their foot in the door for a great career, and for doing great things in the community.