When Eugene Burgess talks about shoes, he’s not talking about fashion–he’s talking about dignity, access, and the belief that every young person deserves to step into their future without barriers tied to poverty. As the founder of Soleful Steps, a new nonprofit dedicated to providing quality footwear and essential resources to youth in need, Burgess is building an organization rooted in representation, access, and community uplift.
Born in New Jersey and raised as the middle child in a single-parent household, Burgess grew up knowing what it meant to go without. One pair of shoes had to survive the school year and every season of sport. That experience shaped him. “I felt it was always important for me, as I got older, to have a goal for myself–to never be in this position as an adult,” he says. “I want to be able to provide for myself, provide for my family, and then those around me.”
Sports offered him both an outlet and a pathway. Football, basketball, and track became more than activities–they became systems of discipline and access that opened doors. “I’ve always said growing up that I’m going to utilize sports as my vehicle,” Burgess explains. “But I realized that no matter how talented I was in sports, I couldn’t get there without my education.” He learned early that athletic ability might open the door, but education–and character–kept it open.
After college, military service, and a career in Southern California, Burgess settled in Spokane, where he has coached high school sports for more than a decade. Through coaching, he saw firsthand how a lack of basic necessities–like appropriate shoes–affects young people. Kids withdraw. They hide. They sit out activities. Confidence begins at the bottom: with the ability to stand comfortably and proudly among peers.
“There’s no such thing as losing,” he often tells the student-athletes he mentors. “Either you are winning or you are learning.” That mindset is now the heartbeat of Soleful Steps. The organization received its nonprofit determination letter in February 2025 and is steadily building its foundation–developing inventory, strengthening partnerships with Spokane Public Schools and Parks and Recreation, connecting with community centers, and preparing for broad program outreach.
His long-term vision is bold. He sees Soleful Steps becoming a trusted, citywide resource that families, schools, and youth programs can rely on instantly–not just for footwear, but for clothing, coats, gloves, hats, and even food support. “I want to be that dependent in the community where, if families, community centers, or schools say a kid needs something, 30 minutes I’m there,” he says. He imagines a responsive, barrier-free system of support where youth don’t wait weeks for help–they receive it when they need it most.
For Burgess, representation is essential. Young people, especially Black youth, need to see models of service, leadership, and generosity reflected back at them. Soleful Steps is not only about material goods; it is about identity, belonging, and the belief that every young person deserves to feel seen and supported. “What I want these kids to know,” he says, “is that they are in control of their future, and learning–whether in school or in life–is the foundation that gets them there.”
Soleful Steps may be new, but its mission is already clear: eliminate barriers, expand access, and surround young people with the community care that allows them to thrive. As Spokane continues to grow, Burgess hopes to strengthen collaboration across organizations, reduce silos, and build a city where youth have what they need to succeed.
Because when a young person receives what they need–without shame, delay, or judgment–they don’t just walk toward their future.
They step into it with confidence.