Youth Mentorship, Personal Development, and Skills Building

These Honorees have created life-changing programs for young men and women.

Nyene Baker

2025 Honoree

Violence prevention through technology skills

Nyene is putting technology to work in a violence prevention and intervention program for at-risk high school students and adults returning from incarceration. Through partnerships with major tech firms and educational institutions, participants can access certificate programs that open doors to high-earning careers, helping them achieve self-sufficiency and stability in their lives.

Lewis Spears

2025 Honoree

Creating success stories in Jersey City neighborhoods

Lewis founded Kismet of Kings to empower BIPOC teenagers from low-income and underserved neighborhoods in Jersey City through academic, character, and leadership development and positive, enriching experiences organization to prepare them for success in school and beyond.

Riccardo Dale

2024 Honoree

Working toward less incarceration, more educatio

Thanks to the organization’s mentorship and support in academic achievement, personal development, and career exploration, more young men in South Jersey are graduating from high school (100% of Free All Minds’ students) and nearly all attend post-secondary institutions. The impact shows in fewer young men being incarcerated and more are employed and/or college educated.

Seigha & Shenee Omuso

2022 Honoree

Empowering youth, uplifting lives in Burlington

The O League is focused on empowerment through sports, education, and entrepreneurship for children and adults in Burlington. To further support their community, they are planning to launch VILLAGES Community Marketplace, a nonprofit grocery store/market with healthy foods in an underserved neighborhood that is a food desert.

A’Dorian Murray-Thomas

2018 Honoree

Showing Newark’s young women a better way forward

A’Dorian lost her father to gun violence as a child. She created SHE WINS while in college to reach young women from Newark who have been affected by violence. Focusing on social justice, mentorship, and leadership development, SHE WINS equips girls with the skills needed to excel academically and solve the issues that most affect their lives and communities.

More Honorees Making an Impact on Youth Mentoring

These Honorees have changed children’s learning throughout New Jersey for the better, from preschool to college.
These Honorees have created programs and initiatives that bring hope and empowerment to children and young adults who are navigating challenging life situations.