FOUNDER STORY
William Marcus Pittman is the Founder of PF Changes Inc., an entrepreneur, philanthropist, author, and mentor committed to empowering the next generation through purpose-driven leadership and lived experience. Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, his story is one of resilience, transformation, and purpose.
The oldest of nine siblings, William developed strength, responsibility, and leadership from an early age. As a former foster youth, William’s upbringing was streaked with the harsh realities of the foster care system, which has given him a firsthand understanding of the importance of stability, guidance, and belonging. However, those early experiences did not break him; they built in him a heart for service and a calling to help others overcome the very challenges he once faced. William is also a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, and his life reflects the power of embracing one’s identity, authenticity, and ambitions. His personal fight through adversity has given him an even deeper empathy for young people trying to find their voice, understand their worth, and
build a future in a world that can feel overwhelming. Drawing on his personal background to provide a foundation of hope, William believes every individual deserves to feel seen, valued, empowered, and equipped with the tools to succeed as they navigate life’s most difficult seasons.
William holds a Bachelor’s degree in Technical Management and two Master’s degrees in Project Management and Business Management, respectively. His academic background, combined with his mission to transform lives through community leadership and support, gives him a unique and powerful ability to connect vision with strategy, compassion with structure, and purpose with action. William understands that true empowerment is not just about encouragement — it is about helping people build structure, discipline, self-worth, and sustainable life strategies.
William has also written a book, “Unlocking Life: Empowerment for the Next Generation,” which reflects his passion for growth, healing, and legacy. He is also the creator of “The Architecture,” a 15-week cohort designed to help young adults build a strong personal foundation through identity development, discipline, life preparation, and purposeful living.
Now living in Texas with his family, William Pittman continues to lead with integrity, empathy, and vision. His life is a testament to the fact that where you start does not have to determine where you end. Turning his pain into purpose and experience into impact, William is committed to empowering the next generation to rise and turn adversity into achievement. His leadership through PF Changes Inc. is helping create pathways for young adults who have often been overlooked, underserved, or underestimated.
Charles Dion Fields (also known as C. Dion) is the Co-Founder and Operations & Nonprofit Development Director. Born and raised in Southwest Arkansas, Charles has always been grounded in faith and service, with a heart for people. From the time he was a young piano player whose feet couldn’t even reach the pedals, Charles knew his life would be centered around making a difference in the lives of others.
Charles is deeply rooted in the church and his community, and has faithfully served as a youth usher, pianist, youth pastor, and minister of music. Through worship, mentorship, and ministry, he continues to inspire and encourage people across generations in whatever way he can. Charles also strongly believes that education, compassion, determination, and leadership are essential tools for growth, transformation, and creating a lasting impact.
Above all else, Charles instills one belief into the young people he serves: that, to beat all odds, you must cultivate an unyielding desire to succeed and a fierce determination to never give up,
regardless of the challenges you face. And with enough guidance and an enthusiastic support system, there is nothing that is unattainable.
Professionally, Charles is a master’s-prepared nurse whose compassion extends far beyond the bedside. Whether through music, healthcare, or cooking—as reflected in his brand De’z Handz—Charles is committed to providing loving care, serving others with excellence and intention, and making a meaningful difference one life at a time.
The Story Behind PF Changes Inc.
Empowering Young Adults For Lasting Success
Together, William and Charles have demonstrated extraordinary compassion by fostering over 43 children within four years, ranging in age from 8 to 18. Their home became a place of safety, care, and encouragement for children in need, reflecting not only their love for family but their unwavering commitment to community. At the same time, William and Charles continued to serve their community in a unique way by feeding and donating items to homeless individuals, showing the young people in their care the importance of service. Through these experiences, they became a beacon of hope for foster youths, witnessing their resilience and immense potential while also recognizing the significant challenges that arose as these young people began their transition into adulthood.
Many individuals leave structured environments without consistent mentorship, guidance, or community support, while others never had structure to begin with. As a result, young adults often struggle to succeed in society and discover who they are and what they want out of life. This realization is what led William to found this youth empowerment nonprofit, with Charles nurturing the aspiration into fruition.
The Genesis of PF Changes Inc.
PF Changes Inc. was created to address the lack of transitional support for young adults from all walks of life, including homeless individuals, re-entry citizens, and at-
risk young adults. By providing essential services for those facing financial instability, identity struggles, systemic hardships, and other real-world difficulties, this nonprofit’s mission strives to change the survival mentality and instill practical tools to navigate the world with confidence and dignity. With access to life skills training, financial literacy education, mentorship, professional and personal development, and housing support resources, the next generation can build stable, purpose-driven lives. With a fire to empower and inspire the lives around them, William and Charles continuously strive to serve their communities with intention and impact.
William and Charles understand how overwhelming newfound independence can be and the obstacles that come with the transition. However, their mission is to ensure young adults do not go through it alone. Their hearts for service extend far beyond their home and into the lives of countless individuals and families they continue to support. They believe that with the right guidance and structure, participants within PF Changes Inc. will have the capabilities necessary to turn their hard knocks into a new beginning. William and Charles’ combined lived experiences and talents shape the framework of PF Changes Inc., offering transformative programs and opportunities for the next generation.
The efforts exemplified by PF Changes Inc. reflect William’s broader vision for society: to help individuals not only dream of a better future but also develop the tools and mindset necessary to build one. What makes PF Changes Inc. truly unique is not only the meaning behind the name but how the mission is implemented into the infrastructure of this Texas youth empowerment nonprofit – the (P)lacement vs. (F)amily Framework.
Learn more details about PF Changes Inc.’s role in the community and why we do what we do →