May 30, 2025

By Louis Huler

Sadiq Locus '17, Co-Owner and Co-Founder of Preparing Individuals Today for Tomorrow (PITT) LLC left his mark following completion of Drexel's School of Education’s graduate program. The young professional was able to couple his drive to address mental health needs with a strong educational experience and find success in his own practice.

Founding a company dedicated to providing neurodiverse children and families with the highest quality social and behavioral care, Sadiq’s dedication to mental health has led to not just a successful business, but an inspiring journey from classroom to the real world.

Sadiq and his business partner, Kristel Kirk, started PITT as a two-person operation in May of 2019, with Locus as the clinical expertise and Kirk as the business mind. Sacrificing their own savings, the two steadily grew their business. PITT employs about 20 staff members, with service to over 70 clients. “It’s just been a really slow build.” Locus reflects.

But this kind of dedication and sacrifice didn’t just come from a dream for business success- mental health awareness is very close to Sadiq’s heart. He shared a bond with his Uncle Andre growing up, an individual with autism who played a big role in his understanding of the need to address mental health with care. “We would spend a lot of time together. And my dad always told me that he was always his best self when I was there... We just engaged.” He says of their connection. “Having that relationship made me a lot more empathetic and understanding of all aspects of working with individuals with different types of needs. I don't really have pity for individuals with special needs." Though Andre was largely nonverbal for much of Sadiq’s life, when given proper attentive support he became verbal and maintained employment.

This understanding ignited a passion in Sadiq; one he would follow all the way to Drexel’s School of Education for his master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis. “Drexel just completely opened up everything for me. Learning different principles and behavior analysis, learning different types of treatment design.” He says. “I was actually able to work at local elementary schools, and as a special instructor, to work on potentially getting a special education cert. So, getting that hands-on experience was massive for me.”

Since graduation, Sadiq has taken this experience and turned it into his own vision. PITT is not just doing quality mental health work- they’re changing lives. “So many of my kids have flourished.” He says on the impacts of quality care. “We have three or four kids in college right now. We have so many kids that got their first romantic partner...we've grown up with a lot of our kids.”

These breakthroughs come from a place of intention, and meeting kids where they’re at- much like how Sadiq grew up with his uncle. “When I'm working with a lot of our kids... I'll hold them accountable in a lot of ways. I treat them at their age. I'm going to ask you. I want you to have input on your medical decisions, your educational decisions.” His philosophy is not that there is something wrong to fix- rather, to meet the needs of each individual. Sadiq’s story, and his business, showcases an incredible work ethic and passion for quality care for all, setting a glowing example for prospective students of what you can accomplish post-graduation.