“It is my dream to build an empire of veterans helping veterans.”
Timothy Awojobi not only had this dream during his more than five years of service in the Air Force, but he had the notion in his head even before he joined the military.
“I was thinking of doing this for years before I enlisted, but my time in the service told me this was my mission.”
Awojobi, born in Union, went right to work upon leaving the Air Force. He launched TTA Empire Inc. as a one-man operation in July 2023 and, by December, he had attained 501(c)(3) status. It is also a veteran-owned and minority-owned business.
“We are prioritizing veteran’s health care and mental health issues, homelessness and special needs,” Awojobi said.
This year, he has grown his organization and reports TTA Empire has already helped more than 300 veterans. He is looking to expand his resources and his reach so he and his team can do more for more veterans.
Simultaneously, Awojobi continues down a path of personal improvement. Before enlisting in the Air Force, he earned a B.A. in communications from Kean University. He later earned a Master of Public Administration from Kean.
He is an adjunct professor at Brookdale Community College, and he is working in the Ph.D. program at Seton Hall University. His dissertation will focus on challenges faced by veterans with disabilities.
Awojobi reflected on his perception of the problems causing the many issues veterans face.
“There is a lack of awareness or a lack of understanding,” he said. “But, more importantly, there is a lack of proper funding for veterans. They need full-time funding. Veterans are tired of receiving temporary relief.”
During a summer fundraiser in Edison, Awojobi earned a proclamation of thanks from the Edison mayor. He has also received words of encouragement from Gov. Phil Murphy, who Awojobi praises as a strong supporter of his mission.
Awojobi was also honored in April by North Brunswick, which dedicated Livingston Avenue and North Oaks Boulevard as Awojobi Way.
In addition to raising funds, Awojobi is looking to partner with other like-minded organizations and agencies so everyone can pool their energies and resources toward achieving the same goals.
“We need to have one mission, one fight, one solution,” Awojobi said.
