As a middle school teacher, Lewis Spears saw so many young men failing to thrive and barely surviving school. They were being disciplined, detained and suspended, and doing poorly academically, stuck in a cycle without positive opportunities for their future. He set out to change that when he launched Kismet of Kings in 2013.
“Those students needed to feel that they were seen, heard, and valued by adults,” said Lewis.
The nonprofit provides critical mentorship and afterschool programs that empower male students of color, ages 11 to 18, in Jersey City’s underserved neighborhoods. The participants are prepared for success in high school, college, and beyond through courses in entrepreneurship, character and leadership development, and life skills training. They also enjoy enrichment opportunities through monthly field trips that expose them to a world outside of their neighborhood. These include amusement parks, concerts, hiking trips, and college campus tours.
“After a few Saturday activities with a small group of students that showed promise, I partnered with Jerry Walker (a former Seton Hall University basketball star, professional player, and social entrepreneur) and his Team Walker organization. We held ‘Take Charge of Your Destiny’ events that drew hundreds of young men from throughout the state for a day of mentorship and inspiration. Soon after, the idea for Kismet of Kings was born.”
Kismet of Kings runs four concurrent programs that focus on character and leadership development, financial literacy, (led by financial professionals) and entrepreneurship. A recent grant from VIVA (Violence Intervention and Victim Assistance) also funds work to mitigate violence and promote entrepreneurship and business creation among young men of color ages 15-24.
“Black and brown boys are disproportionately victims of and caught up in cycles of violence—not by choice, but as a by-product of limited resources, lack of enriching activities, and too few opportunities for growth,” said Lewis. “At Kismet of Kings, we see them as young men who need a chance, and develop them as young entrepreneurs irrespective of their past mistakes or experiences.”
Creating Opportunities for Young Men at Risk
The business program reaches out to “the kids with the worst reputations, who you least suspect of getting beyond their circumstances.” They are enrolled in the 12-week program and create a real business and register their LLCs. Examples of these enterprises are a baked goods business, a paid public speaker, and a “paint and sip” store.
Reaching deep into the population of troubled youth not only takes commitment to the mission; it also takes collaborating with youth detention centers and a truancy and juvenile court judge to identify young men who would benefit from Kismet’s program.
“We make sure that kids in the juvenile justice system don’t feel like they’ve been thrown away and that when they come out, they have a community to lean on,” explained Lewis. His team engages with them during detention and shows them they have positive options and a brighter future waiting for them. “They need to see that they don’t have to go back to the same situations.”
Positive Outcomes, Futures With Promise
Since its establishment, Kismet of Kings has had a tremendous impact on the Jersey City community. According to its website, to date it has enrolled more than 235 young men and has positively affected over 500 families through more than 100 enrichment opportunities and 10,000+ hours of community service.
Participants are also held accountable for their initial stated goals, such as improving family relationships, doing better in school, or finding a career path. They meet with mentors every two weeks to discuss their progress and benefit from the attention and guidance they receive.
“Our young men are four times more likely to graduate high school on time and ten times more likely than the national average to attend college than other low-income youth,” said Lewis.
Of Being Honored for Making a Difference
Lewis had been nominated for the Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award before, so when he received an email from the Russ Berrie Foundation asking him to complete some paperwork, he knew something different was happening.
“It was such a pleasant surprise to receive that email about being a 2025 Honoree,” said Lewis. “I’m so grateful that people in New Jersey know about our work and with this award, I can amplify the voices of the disenfranchised and unheard, and honor and celebrate them. I am truly humbled by the position I am in, to be able to transform lives through our programs.”
You can learn more about Kismet of Kings at https://www.kismetofkings.org, and follow the nonprofit on Facebook, Instagram, and Linkedin.
