The Visionaries Behind Our Movement
Dr. Katrina T. Smith
Founder & Executive Director
Marcus Thorne
Lead Mentor & Strategist
Sarah Jenkins
Lead Mentor
David Chen
Leadership Coach
Our Journey
In today’s world, youth need more than activities—they need a safe place to be seen, heard, and truly valued.
Raising Young Ladies and Gentlemen Foundation was created to give young people a space where they can be themselves, explore their talents, build positive friendships, express their thoughts, and celebrate who they are becoming.
As a teenager, I didn’t have someone to guide me through life’s decisions—to help me understand my worth, my direction, and how to truly survive and thrive. That experience stayed with me and became the foundation of this mission.
This organization exists to be what many young people are missing—a place filled with love, structure, guidance, and purpose.
We believe in teaching self-love, respect, discipline, and compassion. We believe in creating an environment where forgiveness is practiced, understanding is taught, and every young person feels safe enough to grow.
This is more than a program—it is a movement.
A place where:
- Every voice matters
- Every story is respected
- Every child is welcomed
We are building a new kind of community—a space where violence has no place, where healing is real, and where young people are encouraged to become their best selves in mind, body, and spirit.
Rooted in faith and guided by purpose, we are committed to raising a generation of confident, respectful, and purpose-driven leaders.
Our vision is to grow beyond one location—to become a global movement, both in-person and online, reaching youth everywhere who need connection, guidance, and love.
Raising Young Ladies and Gentlemen Foundation is not just an organization.
It is life in motion.
It is hope in action.
It is a beacon of change for this generation and the next.
Today, we stand as a testament to the power of mentorship and creative expression. We have evolved from a small initiative into a robust movement that empowers youth through safe spaces and structured programs. Our commitment remains unwavering: to foster a community where every voice is heard and every potential is realized.