Building Strong Children

John C. Ewing,  born and raised in Detroit, MI by parents Willie & Brenda Ewing.  They taught him who he was and the community didn't let him stray away  from who he was raised to be. As a child he learned to give back to the  community as they walked the alley ways picking up litter, assisting the  elderly and looking out for those who were less fortunate by feeding  the homeless through food programs.  

Leadership  was a vital part of being discipled and a combination of these things  helped shape the Man of Valor he is today as a husband, father, business  owner, leader and teacher of peace.   

He  became a Real Estate Entrepreneur as a young adult and funded the  purchase of his first house through a professional career with Juvenile  Correctional facilities and Corporate America. Today he owns 

Ewing Real Estate Investments, LLC.

He  and his wife founded Young Legacy Builders after helping his 8 year old  son, John C. Ewing II, launch his first business,  "Deuces Lemonade  Shack" and self-publish his first book " You Can Do All Things".  His  mission is to "Build Strong Children so that we don't have repair broken  men through the 4E's of Empowering through Entrepreneurship, Enriching  through building the  Character of Integrity, Evoking through Community  Outreach and Expanding through Mentorship.

Dr.  Demetrice Smith is a writer, entrepreneur, mentor, Elder, and community  activist with over 15 years of professional experience in developing  leaders and equipping individuals toward strategic and destined growth  and purpose. A skilled and credentialed teacher and master facilitator.  She frequently develops customized corporate, small business, and  individualized training programs and curriculum and seminars in a  wide-range of topics. 

Her success  with mental health advocacy and wellness recovery action plans has  empowered individuals dealing with mental illness to understand and  manage their pathway to healing.  

Dr.  Smith is a graduate of Texas Wesleyan University and holds Bachelor's  Degrees in Political Science and Communications; she holds a Master of  Science Degree in Leadership, and a Doctorate of Business Administration  from Walden University. She is an ordained minister in the State of  Texas and holds a Master Coaching Certification from The Association for  Talent Development. As a personal and professional coach, Demetrice  uses her talents and skills to empower others to develop and execute  strategies for professional, personal, organizational and purposeful  goals.  

Dr. Smith has a mandate to  help remove the stigmas, thoughts, beliefs, and actions surrounding  mental illness and equip and motivate those who suffer to take off the  masks and limitations that hold them back from a productive life. 

Dr.  Demetrice Smith Ministries seeks to encourage individuals to become the  “Sons of God by being led by the Spirit of God” by meditating on the  Word of God, being a Doer of the Word of God, putting the Word of God  above all else, and by being in tune with the inner Check in one’s  Spirit that comes from the Word of God. (Romans 8:14) 

Dr. Demetrice is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Creeping Vines Online.a  nonprofit 501c3 organization dedicated to mental health awareness and  education. Her motto: Gaining Victory over Depression, is part of her  personal testimony after 30 years of living and winning a battle against  the enemy called depression.

Ivory Pleasant the son of Elizabeth Pleasant  and Ivory Pleasant Sr, was born in Lafayette, LA.  Since an early age,  Ivory Pleasant had shown to be an ambitious leader.  He started his  first business at the age of 22 years of age.  Ivory Pleasant is a proud  graduate of Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where he  obtained an Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice and a Bachelor’s of  Science degree in Sociology.  Ivory’s Professional Career has been one  that has been concentrated on service to others.  

Specifically,  Ivory’s career has been devoted to serving children who have been the  victim of abuse and/or neglect.  He has worked with children in foster  care in many different ways for the last 22 years. Protecting and  inspiring children isn’t just a career for Ivory Pleasant. It’s a  calling. What was once a volunteer effort — playing basketball on  weekends with at-risk youth — has become a way of life.  

He  is recognized as a Licensed Child Care Administrator and a Licensed  Child Placing Agency Administrator.  Ivory is currently the Executive  Director of Amazing Grace Child and Family Services, a nonprofit  organization which he and his wife founded in 2010.  Amazing Grace Child  and Family Services is a local Child Placing Agency (Foster Care  Agency) which is based in Duncanville, Texas.  

In  addition, Ivory is the Executive Director of Restored Through Grace –  Community Initiative.  Restored Through Grace Community Initiative is a  victim assistance program that provides free professional counseling for  individuals in Dallas County.  Ivory is a proud father of three,  Madison Pleasant and twin boys Chase and Chance Pleasant.

Ty Ellis has spent the past 20+ years in basketball as a

professional player and coach at the International, NBA G-

league, NBA, and USA basketball levels. Ty is the Co-Founder of

The Ellis Performance Group, an Optimal Performance Coaching

company, dedicated to fostering Growth Mindset, Leadership,

and Empowerment. As a speaker, he shares his inspiring story to

motivate, empower, and inspire people into action. He speaks to

various companies, organizations, and universities to serve as a

conduit to personal and professional success. Ty is a graduate of

Southern Nazarene University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports

Management and a Master’s Degree in Education.