Today we’d like to introduce you to Rodney Baldwin.
Hi Rodney, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My name is Rodney Baldwin, and I’m from the heart of Lumberton, North Carolina. I was born on September 17, 1993, and today, I have the incredible honor of being the father of four beautiful children: Arabella (10), Kingston (9), Naomi (6), and Nilah (3). They are the pride and joy of my life, and I thank God daily for entrusting them to me. Being their father has shaped me, refined me, and deepened my purpose.
From a young age, I’ve always had a servant’s heart. Whether it was helping out at my local church or serving in community projects, something inside of me was always drawn to making a difference — to showing up for others in love and service.
That same heart continues to beat strong today. I now have the privilege of serving as the Co-founder and CEO of an amazing nonprofit called The Blessing Wave. Our mission is simple but powerful: to be a wave of love, hope, kindness, and compassion to those who need it most. You can learn more about our work at www.theblessingwave.com [theblessingwave.com].
Beyond The Blessing Wave, I also serve on a national level as a leader of community outreach at Dell Technologies — a role that allows me to combine purpose and impact on a larger scale. In addition, I proudly serve as the Vice President of King’s Kids Africa, an organization committed to glorifying God by caring for orphans and vulnerable children across East Africa, with a special focus on rural Uganda. Each year, I am humbled and honored to travel to Uganda and pour out love, time, and hope into the lives of these incredible children.
But I want to be clear — my life hasn’t always been easy. As the poet said, life hasn’t been a “crystal stair.” I’ve faced trials, heartbreaks, and challenges that tested my faith and character. Yet through it all, God has been faithful. I’m reminded of the words in Psalm 34:19, which says:
“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.”
That verse is my testimony. I’ve been through the fire, but I’ve come out refined.
Today, I walk boldly in my calling — not just as a father, leader, and servant — but as an example to men. It is my mission to show that with God, perseverance, and purpose, you can rise above your past, lead with integrity, and leave a legacy of faith and compassion.
Every title I carry is a reflection of the grace of God on my life. And every opportunity I have to serve is a reminder that I am here for a reason — to be a blessing, to be a wave, and to never stop giving love.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I know what it’s like to grow up without the steady presence of a father. My dad wasn’t always available due to his own battles and struggles, and that absence left a hole in me for many years. But God is a redeemer — not only of our lives, but of relationships too. My father has since been freed from the things that once bound him, and today, we share a restored and meaningful relationship that I thank God for.
At 17, I left home and stepped into the world trying to figure it out on my own. Life hit hard. I made mistakes. I failed. I ended up evicted and sleeping on a friend’s couch for nearly a year. It was one of the lowest points of my life, but even there, God met me. Even then, He was working — shaping me, humbling me, and preparing me.
At 22, I became a father for the first time. Navigating young fatherhood, still trying to find my footing, was overwhelming. I also faced a long and painful battle for custody of my oldest daughter — a fight filled with sleepless nights, heartache, and prayer. Today, by the grace of God, I have full custody of her. That victory is more than legal — it’s spiritual. It’s a testament to God’s faithfulness and the power of never giving up on what you love.
Through every storm, God was consistent. While everything around me was shifting, He remained the same. When I was weak, He was strong. When I was lost, He led me.
I’m not perfect, but I’m proof that God still uses people who have been through the fire. And
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
In 2020, following the devastating tornadoes in Nashville, I co-founded The Blessing Wave, a community-driven organization born out of a desire to meet immediate needs with love and compassion. Our mission is to harness the collective power of humanity to reach those in our own backyard.
We operate on a simple yet powerful model:
• Understand the need: Collaborate with community leaders to identify real-time needs.
• Share the need: Utilize social media to inform our community and gather support.
• Meet the need: Directly provide assistance using the funds from our supporters.
This approach allows us to swiftly assist individuals facing urgent challenges—be it an elderly person unable to afford medication, a single mother struggling with rent, or a father needing help with groceries.
Our reach extends across several regions, including Tennessee, Texas, Los Angeles, Chicago, Oklahoma City, Toronto, and Uganda. In each location, we strive to be a wave of love, hope, kindness, and compassion.
At The Blessing Wave, we firmly believe that small drops make big waves. Every act of kindness, no matter how small, contributes to a larger movement of positive change.
I invite you to learn more about our work and consider partnering with us to make a meaningful impact. Visit www.theblessingwave.com [theblessingwave.com] to join the wave and help us continue spreading love and hope to those in need.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
The Bible
Instinct by T.D. Jakes
Podcast:
Hope Nation Network Unplugged w/ Rodney Baldwin (myself)
Next Level Leaders w/ Dr. Joseph Walker, III
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theblessingwave.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rodneyrbaldwin/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rodney.g.baldwin/friends/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodney-baldwin-502398129?trk=people-guest_people_search-card
