We’re a small, yet strong team, working together to inspire and engage young people to finish high school. Learn more about the professionals and mentors behind HAD2GRADUATE.
Ron Watson is the Founder and President of HAD2GRADUATE. Ron Watson is big thinker from a small town. His early years with his parents were spent on his grandparent’s farmland in North Little Rock, Arkansas, where he learned the value of perseverance and hard work. Ron attended the University of Arkansas and Harding University, were he continued his education in the field of Sports Management, and minoring in Health. His work experience includes sales, transportation and security. Ron worked with the Clinton Presidential Campaign, traveling with the President and Vice President Gore as advance lead in motorcade, media and site security.
It was his background in Sports Management and his long-term affiliation with various professional sports icons that inspired his vision in the design and production of sports apparel. In 1996, Ron founded HAD2GRADUATE, whose mission is to create products that display positive messages to motivate and encourage people to develop the positive attitude required to set and reach their goals.
His contacts with NFL and NBA Commissioners provided opportunities to create licensed agreements to design, create, and sell special event sports apparel. As a result, HAD2 Productions has partnered with some of the top athletes and celebrities in the world and has even obtained patents for many of his unique styles. His flagship initiative, HAD2 graduate, continues to gain steam across the nation with a goal of increasing graduation rates while decreasing youth incarceration.
An entrepreneur by nature, Ron went on to establish and run Sooey Foods of Arkansas LLC, maker of the flavorful all-purpose sauce, Sooie Sauce, sold in Walmart, Kroger, and Harp’s stores.
Though he has accomplished much over his professional career, Ron strives to push the envelope – as well as other people – to be the best they can be, aspire to greatness, and obtain their dreams.
Why? Because he “HAD2”
