VIDEO: “Keep Pressing On!” – Adam Harris

Adam Harris has a successful track record as a coach, mentor, educator, conflict-resolution specialist, workshop facilitator, counseling advisor and guest speaker throughout metropolitan Detroit. Adam has inspired audiences young and old through his compassion, service in the community and his unique ability to actively listen and engage his audience. He has partnered with many non-profit organizations, some of which include United Way, Boys and Girls Club, YMCA, Gleaners Food Bank, 100 Black Men of Greater Detroit, Midnight Golf Program, Interfaith Center of Racial Justice, Charles H. Wright Museum, Greening of Detroit and many others.

Helping people discover their purpose in life, while learning that there is value in loving themselves is the message and mission Adam shares with people he encounters.

Adam Harris grew up in Metro Detroit and graduated from the University of Michigan-Dearborn with a Bachelor’s of Business Administration and a minor in African & African American Studies. After completing his studies at University of Michigan, Adam earned his Master of Arts degree in Counseling from the University of Detroit Mercy.

In and around Metropolitan Detroit, Adam is known for his service and advocacy for youth and young adults. For his engagement and service in southeast Michigan, Adam has received distinguished honors for his work in the community, such as the United Way for Southeastern Michigan’s Young Adult Award of Excellence, the University of Michigan-Dearborn Distinguished Student Leader Award, and becoming a finalist in the category of Youth Volunteer of the Year for the Governor’s Service Awards. Adam’s journey of service has featured him on NBC’s WDIV Channel 4, Comcast Newsmakers and many other media outlets. Adam was also featured in the MTV Documentary, “The Amazing Break” for his service with hundreds of college students rebuilding from hurricanes Katrina and Rita that made landfall in the early 2000’s.

Adam shares his message of service, self-empowerment, and living life to the fullest with youth, young adults, parents, and groups throughout metropolitan Detroit. Serving as a coach, educator, mentor, counselor, conflict resolution specialist and partner to many non-profit agencies in metro Detroit, Adam has inspired churches, colleges, universities, K-12 schools and community organizations.

To learn more about Adam and his events, please visit his website at www.iamadamharris.com.

VIDEO: Gabriella Barthlow

Gabriella Barthlow fell into the field of financial literacy while teaching a local workshop on employment. The daughter of a woman who owned a credit education company sat in on one of my courses and convinced me that I would do well in the world of finance and credit education. Through this education company, I spent six years working with employees of the United Auto Workers (UAW). During that time, I conducted classes on topics ranging from mortgage readiness to investment financing to credit reports to managing your money effectively. When Chrysler was bought out by Daimler, the funding for my role was eliminated, so I went on to start my own financial/credit education business: Alpha Advisory Group.

VIDEO: “How Did You Loose Your Swag, and How To Get It Back”

Z.A. Tambuzi, the owner and founder of Success Builders Inc. Tambuzi is a leader, a visionary, a teacher and an organizer of People. He is the Founder of Success Builders Inc. He is a man who lives with a purpose, that can be found in the mission statement of Success Builders Inc.

He is a graduate of North Carolina Central University. He did his graduate studies at Michigan State University. He has taught Math, Biology, Swahili, Cultural Development as well as a plethora of Social Science disciplines. The focus of his mission is community development, cultural restoration and developing the keys to Human Excellence.

For 25 years, he has conducted life and business planning sessions for individuals and organizations interested in achieving their personal, professional and business goals.

Z. A. Tambuzi has an endowed capacity to meet people where they are and assist in the transformation to a heightened and brighter reality. He will assist you in clearing away internal contradictions that often undermine your clarity and
capacity to maintain a bull’s eye focus towards your goals.

VIDEO: “The Power in your Purpose” – LaToya Early

LaToya Early is the founder of Chase Great EnterprisesTM LLC a company that provides vision development strategies to aspiring and rising entrepreneurs. LaToya is also a wife, woman of God, mother and purpose enthusiast who has devoted her life to helping others gain authentic success through strategic planning and vision development. She utilizes her ability to help innovators express their entrepreneurial desires to its greatest potential. She maximizes her coaching gift by offering creative coaching techniques that will edify, exhort and empower both men and women who are ready to live in purpose full-time.

LaToya creates coaching programs designed to turn a part-time hobby into Full-Time Purpose™. Besides empowerment speaking and one on one vision coaching, LaToya is most known for her step-by-step business development masterclass that has helped both aspiring and rising entrepreneurs actively chase their goals and dreams by eliminating distractions and creating a clear plan for success. Her masterclass and coaching programs empower others to Write the Vision for the entrepreneurial success desired. While working in her company full-time, LaToya has also published Deliver Me from Me, Write the Vision, It’s More Than a Vision Board, and The Power of Your Purpose. She has also key-noted several amazing empowerment events, commencement ceremonies, featured on an array of inspirational women blogs, television and radio interviews.

LaToya has tackled the journey of entrepreneurship by understanding the process, recognizing her progress and persevering through adversity. Her assignment is to help entrepreneurs during the development process and to encourage the unbeliever to believe that with a strategic plan all things are possible. Through her company she enforces a challenge and encourages every believer to chase the greater within them! She offers accountability, empowerment, development strategies, vision planning and an innovative approach to a lifestyle of success in purpose on purpose.

Giving Tuesday – Join the Movement and Give Back!

Giving Tuesday – Join the Movement and Give Back!

We hope you enjoyed the Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends! As the holiday season continues, please keep in mind the works of Agents of Hope. Our initiatives would not exist without the generous support of partners like you.

You have made it possible for us to impact our community in many ways! From our empowerment seminars, to Back To School supplies, to food drives in Africa, we want to express our deep gratitude to you for your belief in our organization.

Every year many people, both young and old, are faced with challenging obstacles that impede their success. We are changing that!

Agents of Hope and Secure-24 at Fountain Elementary in Roseville, Michigan

For many years Agents of Hope has empowered individuals towards becoming strong, confident and successful versions of themselves through its various empowerment and mentorship programs.

Your generous donation helps us to provide our programs. Many individuals have been empowered to seek the knowledge they need, engage new connections and create the life they desire.

With our strong passion and focus, we are changing the path for many people across the globe! You can be a part of that change…join the Movement and Give!

Donate Now (tax deductible)

Our 2015 Motivational Speakers Have Been FANTASTIC!
2015-speakers

Your support is the reason we have had great success in this seminar series.

Support Now (tax deductible)

Thank you so much for helping to make a difference!

VIDEO: “Restoring your Credit Score” by Lance Petway

Lance Richard Petway is an entrepreneur that started his professional career back in 1992 after graduating from Eastern Michigan University with a double major in Finance and Communications and a minor in Marketing. He stared his career at Household Finance as a mortgage banker and worked there for 7 years winning multiple awards such as rookie of the year and in 1996 broke the company record of most originated and closed mortgage loans. Lance then when to work for Golden Mortgage, Fifth Third Bank and Level One Bank earning more awards every step of the way.

When the recession hit in 2008 and 2009, it was a hit to everybody and Lance decided to do something about it. He started holding free seminars to help people rebuild their credit score and in 2012 he left his banking career of 20 years to go work for Financial Education Services/United Credit in Farmington Hills, Michigan.

VIDEO: “On Your Mark, Set, Go!” by Cheranissa Roach

Cheranissa Roach is President and Chief Executive Officer of CDR Consulting, LLC. She conducts seminars and workshops for corporations and individuals. The seminars and workshops include Diversity and Multiculturalism, Women’s Issues and Women’s Journey to Wellness, Mind, Body and Spirit. Ms. Roach is a certified Diversity Trainer and a Certified Wellness Trainer with the Professional Woman Network. She is also a Certified Christian Life Coach.

Ms. Roach’s knowledge of business and professionalism is supported by working with corporations, non-profits and faith-based organizations for over 20 years. She has over 15 years in Human Relations and Customer Service and over 5 years in Operations Management with State Government. She has also participated in Leadership Teams and Training and Development of staff.

Among her accomplishments are co-authoring two books, “Emotional Wellness for Women volume III and Learning to Love yourself, A handbook for the African-American Woman.” She also holds a Master of Science Administration degree with specialization in Public Administration from Central Michigan University.

Ms. Roach is a wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, but most of all a friend. She enjoys traveling, entertaining family and friends, and good conversation. She is a believer of Christ and lives her life based on Philippians 2:4, “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” It is this spirit that she seeks to encourage and empower women.

2015 School Supplies for Fountain Elementary

2015 School Supplies for Fountain Elementary

Our 2015 Back To School initiative was very successful.  Our essay winner this year was Tina Lupo, first grade teacher at Fountain Elementary in Roseville, Michigan.  According to recent reports, teachers spend between $500 – $1,000 per year out of their own pockets on school supplies due to cuts in education and financial issues. The Back to School Campaign will help ease the burden from these budget shortfalls as well as the student’s families.

This morning, 60 first graders were greeted with hot breakfast and school supplies from Agents of Hope. National Coney Island, Groesbeck Nighway in Roseville, Michigan did a fantastic job preparing and packaging breakfast for the first graders.

Secure-24

Special thanks to our sponsor, Secure-24, a great company headquartered in Southfield, Michigan, specializing in managed cloud services, application hosting and application performance management.  Secure-24 has supported Agents of Hope on several initiatives and community events. We are very thankful.

 

National Coney Island

Also, many thanks to the staff and management of National Coney Island located on Groesbeck Highway in Roseville, Michigan for a wonderful job with the fantastic breakfast. The children were very happy!  National Coney Island currently owns and operates 20 restaurants in Southeastern Michigan and has been in business since 1965. The corporate headquarters are located in Roseville, Michigan, home of the original location!

Agents of Hope looks forward to more opportunities to help schools deliver great education to students everywhere.  Congratulations to Fountain Elementary in Roseville, Michigan!

And They Say Teaching Is A Dying Field – Tina Lupo

And They Say Teaching Is A Dying Field – Tina Lupo

My passion for teaching was ignited in me almost 20 years while in my high school child care class. This is where my love of learning and my love for helping children grow and develop began. It’s satisfying to know you are not only motivating students to learn, but teaching them how to learn, and doing so in a manner that is relevant, meaningful, and memorable. It’s about caring for your craft, having a passion for it, and conveying that passion to everyone, most importantly to your students. I love caring, nurturing, and developing minds and talents. It’s about devoting time, often invisible, to every student. It’s also about the thankless hours of grading, designing or redesigning daily lessons, and preparing materials to further enhance instruction. I believe in each and every student and know I can be a positive role model for them. I know I can be that spark that ignites their love of learning. I know I can change their life!

Now 20 years later, I have seen things in education change tremendously. Children come to school with a lot of baggage. They are dealing with things someone their age should not be expected to handle. Our students are struggling against poverty, prejudice, substance abuse, hunger, abuse, and apathy on a daily basis. I go the extra mile because children need to feel safe and loved in order to learn and be successful. “Every child is one caring adult from being a success story” (Josh Shipp). Because many students come from families who don’t care—or don’t know how to show they do, I become the one consistent thing in most of their lives. I welcome them into my classroom with a warm smile and open arms. They might not be able to feel safe or loved at home, but I make it my mission to make them feel that way when they step into my classroom. I can offer them hope and love. I can make a difference in their lives.

Every day I tell myself to treat these children how I would want my children to be treated by their teachers. That is why I often call my students, “my kids”. Why I feel obligated to take care of them and ensure their basic needs are met. Why I give them baby wipe baths when they come to school dirty. Why I buy them supplies, winter coats, boots, hats, gloves, clothing, etc. Why I send them home with extra food so I know they eat that night. Why I lay awake at night worrying about them and if they will somehow make it to school the next day. They are someone’s whole world and I care for them as if they were my own. Every September I go from having two children to twenty something children.

Teaching is one of the most difficult, challenging, frustrating, emotionally exhausting, mentally draining, satisfying, wonderful, important and precious jobs in the world. I’m grateful that I get to do it every day. To offer hope, to make a difference, and to change lives!

Tina Lupo is our 2015 Back To School Essay Winner. She is a 1st grade teacher at Fountain Elementary, Roseville, MI

VIDEO: “The Purpose Factor” by Eva Toby

Eva is the creator/host of Xtended Expressions and also the Street Style series exclusively for Genevieve Magazine. With over ten years of experience as a presenter/spokesmodel for global brands that include Chrysler and General Motors, Eva has presented to millions of people over the years.

Her extensive experiences in the fields of social work and business have awarded her opportunities to travel the world and encounter people from all walks of life. Eva is passionate about adding value to life of others and motivating people to maximize their potential. www.evatoby.com.