As a native of Las Vegas, Quinton Carter has progressed into a professional athlete, scholar, business owner and philanthropist - but not without early trials and tribulations, and experiencing the impact of a community that left him ill prepared and lacking of the essential skills needed to engage in our highly competitive world. Instead of accepting an unprepared fate, Quinton’s drive and determination propelled him to overcome these adversaties. 

As a standout athlete in high school, Quinton earned a full football scholarship to the University of Oklahoma (OU), excelling both on the field and in the classroom. Quinton stockpiled numerous milestones and merits during his tenure at OU, including but not limited to 2010 All-State/ AFCA Good Works Team, 2010 AFCA All-America Team, the All Big 12 Football Team and the 2011 John Wooden Citizenship Cup, regarded as the Heisman Trophy of citizenship and community involvement. In May of 2011, Quinton graduated from OU, earning a bachelor’s degree in criminology and non-profits.

Selected with the 108th pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, Quinton went on to become the starting safety for the Denver Broncos. During his rookie year with the Broncos in 2011, Carter showed up and showed out with 56 tackles and 1 sack during the season.  On track to becoming one of the leagues premiere defensive backs, Quinton’s career was cut short by sustaining a devastating injury. Quinton retired from the NFL in 2014.

Despite the challenges that Quinton faced throughout his life, including a shortened NFL career, he utilized these obstacles as a catalyst to spark a passion, and to rise. Quinton decided to put his degree to use, and pursue a personal dream of starting his own non-profit. The Serving Others through Unity and Leadership (SOUL) Foundation was created because Quinton saw a need for positive reinforcement within the lives of children and a need for a consistent support system from adults in the community.

As an athlete, Quinton believes that it is important for all athletes to use their platform to serve the community in a positive manner. Through many of the foundation’s programs, opportunities for collegiate and professional athletes to give back are often woven into the programs. Amongst the foundations numerous contributions, in 2011, he hosted the Elevated Play football camp, which was designed to bring in middle school children to be vigorously trained by collegiate and professional football players. The goal was to have each child walk away from the event with a better understanding of the sport, skills that will enhance their game play, and the confidence and reassurance that they can attain their dream, however big it may be. The Elevated Play football camp has become an ongoing staple of Las Vegas, conducted every summer.

Most recently, and following the success of SOUL, Quinton established CHANGE: Vegas, a Las Vegas chapter which will subsequently expand to other chapters such as CHANGE: LA and eventually CHANGE: Global. The Change mission centered around developing and implementing the organizations five major platforms: Academic Excellence, Family & Community, Mental, Physical and Spiritual Health, Financial Literacy Development, and Global Awareness and Involvement. Ultimately CHANGE’s aim is to give our youth an opportunity to succeed.

As a businessman, Quinton opened Las Vegas eatery and Jamaican inspired, Big Jerk, self-described as the ”Nicest jerks in Vegas” dishing big Caribbean flavors – specializing in Caribbean style jerk chicken. Big Jerk initially started as a food truck, but due to its extreme success and demand, expanded into a brick and mortar restaurant, with new locations planned to open in the future across the United States.

Quinton also serves as the President of Unity Success Preparatory Academy, proposed to launch in August of 2023 with a blended cohort of 275 6th and 7th graders.  At capacity, in 2024, Unity will have 1600 high quality 6-12 public school seats available as an option for students in North Las Vegas. Unity’s mission is to provide innovative education and intuitive community programs to empower youth with the tools, skills, and endurance they need personally, socially, and economically to choose postsecondary pathways and to impact global change.

Quinton Carter is the embodiment of perseverance and achievement. Every day he takes a new step forward and paves the way for a better tomorrow.