By JACQI LEYVA-HILL
Special to the NEWS
San Benito author and community leader David Leija, founder of the TKO Movement, has been named one of ten honorees for Illuminations’ inaugural Local Lights campaign in McAllen, chosen from hundreds of nominations across the Rio Grande Valley.
The recognition includes a $1,000 appreciation award and honors individuals whose work lifts families, strengthens communities, and inspires hope across the region. For Leija, the news brought a deep mix of disbelief, pride, and humility.
He described the moment he received the email as “a feeling of disbelief,” soon followed by deep appreciation for his team. While his name appears on the certificate, he insists the award belongs to all who support the mission. “I’m just the frontman,” he said. “There’s no music without the band.”
His organization publishes children’s books centered on confidence, kindness, and emotional awareness, and he frequently visits schools throughout the Valley to speak with students about standing up for themselves and supporting one another.
Through TKO, Leija and his team have dedicated years to combating bullying and improving literacy, two issues he says require constant attention.
He also leads South Texas Author Con, a literacy-focused event that brings together authors, illustrators, families, and young readers. “Unfortunately, there is always a story somewhere about a child being bullied,” Leija said. “Anti-bullying is not a one-month thing. It’s a year-round thing.” He added that literacy must remain a priority for the region, which continues to have some of the highest illiteracy rates in Texas.
Some of Leija’s most meaningful memories come from moments when families share how TKO made a difference in their lives. One month after the Uvalde tragedy, TKO visited the community to host a presentation at the public library.
Parents expressed gratitude to him for providing their children with “a small sense of normalcy” during an incredibly painful time.
“If I gave them even an hour or two of relief, that’s what it’s all about,” he said. At last year’s Author Con in San Benito, a young student told Leija it was the best day of his life after meeting the authors and illustrators. Inspired, the boy started working on his own comic book, and Leija hopes to see the student’s work displayed at an upcoming event.
Leija plans to use the Local Lights award to purchase more books and promotional materials for the upcoming South Texas Author Con in Mission this February, helping expand access for youth and families.
He says literacy and kindness go hand in hand, shaping the foundation of TKO’s mission. “With the ability to read, a child can learn and do anything,” he said. “And kindness can restore someone’s belief in themselves.”
His book, TK’s First Lesson opens with a message he hopes children never forget: “Learn to read, change your mind. Learn to love, change the world.”
Leija also expressed appreciation for the organization behind the honor. “A big thank you to Illuminations for celebrating 25 years in business and for having this contest to shine a light on the great people in our Rio Grande Valley,” he said.
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