Today we’d like to introduce you to Honorable Rachid Sow.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My story is simple: I came from the people, I serve the people, I serve God, I am a citizen of this world, and I will continue giving everything I have to ensure no child goes hungry, no family feels forgotten, and no community is left behind. God’s love has no barriers.
I was born in Burkina Faso, a place filled with beautiful culture but also deep poverty. Growing up, I saw children drinking from contaminated streams, families walking miles just to find water, and mothers skipping meals so their children could eat. I saw suffering up close, and it stayed with me. Those early experiences shaped my heart and my purpose long before I ever had a title or a foundation.
When I came to the United States, I carried my roots with me, my love for my people, my desire to help those in need, and my belief that even one act of kindness can change a life. I worked hard, built businesses, pursued my education in architecture and computer information systems, and slowly positioned myself so I could start lifting others the way I once wished someone would lift me. Helping others has always been my motivation to succeed in life.
My journey really transformed even before I founded The Sow Family Foundation in Austin, TX and globally. What started with me handing out a few meals from love and the heart even when I was a child and student has now grown into a grassroots movement serving thousands of families and children every year. Through our programs – Feeding Hearts, Backpacks of Hope, Healing Circles, Prevention/Diversion, our education support initiatives, and our 150 Water Wells initiative across 15 African nations, we work to restore dignity as a one stop organization for people facing homelessness, hunger, mental health struggles, lack of education, and extreme poverty.
But none of this came easy. I’ve had moments where I used my last resources to feed others, times when I didn’t know if me not being able to feed or help the next person meant they would make it until the next day, and days where I felt alone in the mission. But every time I saw a child smile, every time a mother cried tears of relief, every time a family told us, “You saved us today,” it reminded me why I couldn’t stop, why I can’t stop and why I won’t stop. When you work in God’s assignment and not man’s approval, He opens doors that no one can shut. I am blessed with a loving family who stands with me, and a small circle of people, my team, our volunteers, and our partners who serve God’s children with compassion and pure hearts.
Together, we are an unstoppable movement, God’s chosen force, declaring, “Lord, use us as You will so we can reach Your people.”
He called us to this mission, and we move with purpose, grace, courage, and love.
Today, I’ve built several companies, 3RD EYE Consulting, Worldwide Exchange, The Sow Group, and Sashid Enterprises, but all of them are tied to a bigger purpose: to open doors for others, create opportunity, and give back to the communities that raised me and the ones that welcomed me.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road, and I never expected it to be. Anything worth building comes with challenges. For me, the biggest struggles weren’t about money or resources; they were about responsibility. When you serve people who depend on you for food, support, housing or hope, you carry the weight of their needs on your shoulders.
There were times when the demand in the community was greater than what I had in my hands. Times when I had to balance running businesses, supporting my family, completing my education, and still showing up for people who were counting on me. Leading a foundation while building multiple companies requires discipline, long nights, and staying focused even when things get hard.
Another challenge was starting from the ground up with no roadmap. I came to this country with a dream and a purpose, not connections or funding. So I had to learn everything the hard way, nonprofit operations, fundraising, logistics, outreach, compliance, while serving people at the same time. But every obstacle made me sharper and more determined.
I also had to deal with moments where I stood alone in certain decisions, or when people doubted the mission because it takes courage to believe in something bigger than yourself. But challenges don’t stop me, they shape me. They push me to think differently, work harder, and stay grounded in faith.
The road wasn’t smooth, but it made me who I am. It taught me resilience, humility, leadership, and the importance of showing up for people even when no one is watching. And because of those challenges, we are now serving thousands of families locally and internationally.
The struggle wasn’t meant to break me, it was meant to prepare me for the work I’m doing today.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
The Sow Family Foundation is a one-stop, community-centered organization dedicated to restoring dignity, rebuilding hope, and creating real pathways out of poverty for children, families, and vulnerable communities. Based in Austin, Texas and serving both locally and globally, we specialize in addressing the core challenges that families face today: homelessness, food insecurity, mental wellness, education, and access to basic human needs.
What sets us apart is our hands-on, boots-on-the-ground approach. We don’t wait for people to come to us, we go to them. We serve hot, freshly cooked meals every week on the streets of Austin, provide school supplies and educational support to children, offer mental wellness resources through Healing Circles, prevent homelessness through our Prevention/Diversion Program, and support international communities through our clean water and global development initiatives.
We are not a nonprofit that focuses on just one issue, we are a multi-service solution, designed to meet families where they are and walk with them until their situation changes.
Our signature programs include:
Feeding Hearts: Hot meals, groceries, clothing, hygiene, and resource navigation for unhoused neighbors.
Backpacks of Hope: School supplies, tutoring support, and academic resources for children across Central Texas.
Healing Circles: Community-led mental wellness support for families facing trauma or emotional hardship.
Prevention/Diversion: Emergency financial support to help families avoid eviction and stay stable.
150 Water Wells Program: Construction of water wells across 15 African nations, giving clean and safe water to entire villages.
What I’m most proud of is our ability to serve with consistency, compassion, and excellence, even without the large budgets or staff that many organizations have. We run like a major organization because we serve with major heart. Everything we do is rooted in love, dignity, and real impact.
Our brand is known for being present, reliable, and deeply connected to the people. We don’t just provide services, we build relationships, restore hope, and create pathways for long-term change. When people see the Sow Family Foundation, they know they are in the presence of people who care, who show up, and who deliver.
What I want readers to know is this:
We are here for the people. We are here for the children. We are here for the families who feel forgotten. And whether it’s in Austin, Africa, or Colombia, our mission is the same, serve with love, lead with dignity, and make sure no one is left behind.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I believe that risk is a necessary part of purpose. You cannot build anything meaningful, whether it’s a foundation, a business, or a global initiative, by staying in your comfort zone. I don’t take reckless risks, but I take purpose-driven risks, the kind that move people forward and open doors for communities that don’t have a voice.
One of the biggest risks I ever took was starting The Sow Family Foundation with nothing but faith, vision, and a heart for the people. There was no major funding, no donors, no sponsors waiting behind the scenes. I used my own resources, my own time, and my own strength to build something that could serve families in real need. It was a risk because every dollar I put into the foundation was a dollar that could have gone to my personal life or my businesses. But I chose people first. and today, that decision is serving thousands of families across Texas, Africa, and Colombia.
Another major risk was expanding globally when logic said to stay local. Building water wells across 15 African nations, supporting communities in Colombia, and launching international programs take courage. There are cultural barriers, financial risks, and uncertainty. But I believe that if you have the ability to help, you have the responsibility to act. Those global risks became global blessings.
In business, I’ve also taken risks. Launching companies like 3RD EYE Consulting, Worldwide Exchange, The Sow Group, and Sashid Enterprises required stepping into industries where I had to learn fast and take bold moves. But every challenge sharpened my leadership and expanded my vision.
To me, risk is not something to fear, it’s something to respect. I analyze, I pray, I prepare, and then I move. I don’t chase risk for excitement; I take it when it aligns with my mission, my values, and the people I serve.
My philosophy is simple:
If the risk protects people, builds opportunity, and honors God’s purpose for my life, then it’s worth taking.
I wouldn’t be where I am today without stepping out in faith, trusting the process, and believing that impact requires courage.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sowfamilyfoundation.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sowfamilyfoundation?igsh=MWhvd3d6NXl1aTI3ag%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19ryXkttEK/?mibextid=wwXIfr
