“When Character Speaks Louder Than Words”

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Jun 1
3 min read

How Kut Different Is Quietly Shaping a New Generation of Leaders

In a world overflowing with distractions—where social media defines identity, and video games absorb our hours—it’s easy to overlook the quiet revolutions happening in small communities. But in Ocala, Florida, something extraordinary is unfolding. It doesn’t shout. It doesn’t trend. It doesn’t pretend. It shows up every day. And its name is Kut Different.

*Kut Different Mentees bow their heads in prayer, sharing a touching moment of rejoice and brotherhood.*

From a One-Man Mission to a Movement

Four years ago, Jamie Gilmore Jr. walked into a meeting he wasn’t even supposed to attend. What happened next would forever change the trajectory of his life—and the lives of hundreds of young men.

That meeting, filled with local pastors, community leaders, and law enforcement, placed Jamie in a seat—literally—between two men who would unknowingly become key to Kut Different’s future. A conversation. A handshake. A shared vision. And God did the rest.

Central Christian Church didn’t just write a check. They opened their doors, handed over keys, offered vehicles, gym space, and trust. Why? Because they saw something rare. They saw integrity, faith in action, and a fire that couldn’t be ignored.

Meeting Young Men Where They Are. And Taking Them Where They Dream to Be.

Kut Different is not just about mentorship. It’s about exposure. Structure. Brotherhood. It’s about showing up for boys who never expected someone would.

“We’re not here to preach at them,” said Eddie Rocker, co-founder of Kut Different. “We’re here to be the message. Through consistency. Through character.”

Whether it’s teaching young men how to tie a tie, shake a hand with confidence, or navigate their first public speaking class—Kut Different is turning boys into leaders. And it’s doing so by expanding their world. Literally.

*Kut Different Mentees & Mentors share a kodak moment at the Central Christian Church during Communication Class*

Exposure trips have taken mentees out of their comfort zones and into college campuses, museums, corporate offices, and spaces they never imagined stepping into. Because you can’t dream bigger if you’ve never seen what’s possible.

A Church Beyond Its Walls

“We asked ourselves: if our church shut its doors tomorrow, would our community even notice?” shared Dan, Executive Pastor at Central Christian. “With Kut Different on campus, the answer became a resounding yes.”

Central Christian Church didn’t just sponsor a program. They became family. By offering Kut Different not just space, but belonging, they flipped the script on what it means for a church to serve its city. Youth, many of whom had never stepped into a church, now run drills in the gym, host leadership workshops in classrooms, and share heartfelt conversations in the hallway with men who don’t look like them—but love them anyway.

*Founders, Jamie Gilmore Jr. & Eddie Rocker with Kut Different Mentees KD Draft, located at their community church.*

Breaking Stereotypes, Building Bridges

In a climate riddled with racial tension and cultural misunderstanding, Kut Different has become a bridge. When young men from marginalized neighborhoods spend time at a predominantly white church and find mentorship, discipline, and unconditional love—it redefines what unity looks like.

“We had kids ask if we paid the church to be here,” Jamie laughs, “but now, they see the real relationships. They feel the love. And that’s a powerful shift.”

The Power of Showing Up

Growth is often quiet. It looks like long hours in an office. Mentorship sessions where one boy shows up. Late-night planning for exposure trips. And sometimes—it looks like setting off the church’s fire alarm during a photo shoot (twice in one day, no less).

But growth is also exponential. What started with Jamie working alone has now become a team of strong, faith-driven men leading a growing brotherhood. From Howard Middle School to Central Christian’s campus, from summer programs to Sunday morning gym sessions—Kut Different is no longer small. It’s a movement.

*Kut Different Mentee experiences a pivotal moment, shaking hands with Miami's Mayor, Francis Suarez in his Miami Office*

Why Support Kut Different?

Because it’s working. Young men are graduating, gaining confidence, and breaking generational cycles. Because it’s consistent. The team shows up, rain or shine, funding or not. And because it’s real. There’s no hidden agenda—just men being who they needed when they were younger.

As Dan said best, “You guys see a need. You meet a need. And you do it well.”