LinkedIn News Article: Celebrating a Community Hero: Wilmington City Council Honors Tyrone “Tye” Robinson

Tyrone “Tye” Robinson (center) holds his City Council resolution before family and community members on February 20, 2025. Photo by Yesenia Taveras

Celebrating a Community Hero: Wilmington City Council Honors Tyrone “Tye” Robinson

By Yesenia Taveras, Eva Previti

In a world where second chances are often hard to come by, there are people who not only believe in them but dedicate their lives to making them possible for others. Tyrone “Tye” Robinson is one of those people.

At the Wilmington City Council’s Regular Meeting on February 20, 2025, City Council had the profound honor of recognizing Tye for his unwavering commitment to the most vulnerable in our community — those battling the grip of substance abuse. Councilwoman Zanthia Oliver, joined by the entire body of Wilmington City Council, stood in admiration of a man whose compassion and dedication have directly changed the lives of more than 50 people struggling with opioid addiction.

Tyrone “Tye” Robinson (at center podium) speaks before Wilmington City Council during Council’s Regular Meeting on February 20, 2025. Photo by Yesenia Taveras, director of communications for Wilmington City Council.

For the past year, Tye has walked the streets of Wilmington’s East and North Side, not as a bystander, but as a lifeline. He has tirelessly reached out to those caught in the cycle of addiction, not only offering them resources but also something far more powerful – hope. He has encouraged countless individuals to take a courageous step toward healing through the Everything Must Change Program in Baltimore, Maryland.

Tye’s work is deeply personal. He understands the pain of addiction, the weight of incarceration, and the long road to redemption. Having been sober for over a decade and overcoming a sixteen-year incarceration, one for which he was granted a pardon this year, he stands as living proof that transformation is possible. But his journey did not stop at his recovery; it became the foundation for his mission.

Tyrone “Tye” Robinson (at center podium) speaks before Wilmington City Council during Council’s Regular Meeting on February 20, 2025. Photo by Yesenia Taveras, director of communications for Wilmington City Council.

After experiencing the heartbreaking loss of his beloved wife and close family members, Tye found a renewed purpose in giving back. He realized that for many, breaking free from addiction requires more than just willpower — it demands a new environment and a fresh start. In partnership with Darrell Robinson of the Everything Must Change Program, he is working to establish an exchange program between Wilmington and Baltimore, creating new pathways to recovery for those ready to take that step.

But he’s not stopping there. Tye is now turning his attention to those struggling with mental health challenges, recognizing that addiction and mental health often go hand in hand. His vision is one of comprehensive healing—one that does not just address addiction but restores dignity, rebuilds lives, and reignites purpose.

Tyrone “Tye” Robinson is more than a community leader. He symbolizes resilience, redemption, and the power of selfless service. Wilmington is blessed to have him, and the Wilmington City Council is proud to honor his work, heart, and unwavering belief that everything must change—and that change is possible for all.

Tyrone “Tye” Robinson (center) holds his City Council resolution before family, community members, and Council Members on February 20, 2025. Photo by Yesenia Taveras Photo by Yesenia Taveras, director of communications for Wilmington City Council.