OKEMOS - After six years of serving as the Athletic Director for Okemos High School, Ira Childress will be leaving the community for a new job at Gulliver Prep in Miami, Florida.

Childress who originally came into the position in 2013, has been monumental in his role from securing a large presence on social media, and most recently the addition of a turf field after a $500,000 donation courtesy of the Grewal family.

“I took this role very seriously, and I took more responsibility realizing I was the first African-American administrator at Okemos High School. It meant a lot to me because I knew that if I did well, other would get opportunities,” said Childress.

When he first came to Okemos High School in 2013 there had never been a person of color (African-American) sit in a leadership role at the high school.

Today, both the Athletic Director at the Middle School, and Assistant Principal at the High School are both held by African-Americans.

“You open doors, and you walk through doors knowing it's not about you, it's about the people that are coming behind you who are gonna get opportunities,” he said.

Another addition to his tenure at Okemos was a weekly program on HOMTV called “Inside Okemos Athletics” which highlights Okemos Student-Athletes and Coaches. He will finish out the school year, before officially starting his new job at the beginning of July.

“I’m looking forward to rolling up my sleeves and getting to work down there, working with their student athletes and also coaches. It's gonna be bittersweet, I love this place. It’s been six years of my life here, and it’s been a great time and a great ride, but it's gonna be great to start that chapter at Gulliver Prep in Miami.”