BESTSELLING AUTHOR, EDUCATOR, ADMINISTRATOR, YOUTH ADVOCATE
LEWIS W. SPEARS
A firm believer in a community pulling itself up by its bootstraps, Lewis Spears has devoted his life and career to manifesting this philosophy. Lewis is no stranger to the ills that plague Jersey City. Having been born and raised in the Booker T. Washington Projects, he saw, first-hand how a lack of education, direction, and mentorship negatively impacts one’s quality of life. Determined to change the narrative and break generational and institutional curses, he embarked on a journey to uplift his community by transforming lives-one young person at a time.
After college, his decision to return to his hometown was intentional. He had a deep desire to evoke change from the ground up and invest in Jersey City’s challenged school district. For nearly a decade, he has taught across grade levels, focusing primarily on developing the special education population and providing access to up-to-date curriculum with little to no assistance. Education has always been a top priority for Lewis. He was educated in the JCPS and then went on to receive his B.A. from Rutgers University. Lewis continued his formal education at New Jersey City University, receiving a Masters of Arts in Urban Education to enhance his teaching pedagogy. It was at this juncture, that he realized that leadership was the solution to organizational change. In his pursuit to become an educational leader and increase his influence, Lewis attained an Educational Masters in School Leadership from Harvard University. While attending Harvard, he was honored as the Class Marshal, an esteemed award given for exemplary Scholarship in Action, excellent critical-thinking skills, and academic excellence.
Lewis is committed to effecting change by instilling value in the lives of young men in Jersey City and beyond. As a conscious instructor, child advocate and effective leader, Lewis aims to share his talents with anyone aspiring to defy mediocrity. Lewis is the Founder and CEO of Kismet of Kings, Inc. This enterprise provides a constructivist approach to developing good character. The curriculum highlights prominent Black/Latino men who made significant contributions to the world and utilize their knowledge through project-based learning. Through this organization, an initiative evolved, “Take Charge of Your Destiny,” an annual event that he spearheads, challenges young men to reach for greatness. The ultimate goal is to connect young men of color to positive, productive men, in the community who they can emulate.
Lewis was afforded the opportunity to travel abroad and teach in Johannesburg, South Africa, through the Teach With Africa program. Through this endeavor, he was able to deliver a fresh perspective that will continue to stimulate human potential despite environmental challenges. He has taken lessons learned while in South Africa to provoke teachers and students alike, to take a deeper look internally and externally to promote authentic living and communal responsibility. A future goal is to work with the Global Teachers Institute, housed in South Africa, to facilitate travel for young men in urban environments and complete projects in an international setting.
Lewis is passionate about enlightening the next generation and takes great pride in fostering positive connections and providing endless support. Currently, Lewis works as the Hudson County Youth Services Commission Administrator where he is committed to improving programming for youths on a daily basis. He is the recipient of the Elijah Hendon Award, National Action Network award, Greenville Neighborhood Alliance Award, She Is Black Leaders Honors, the Distinguished Gentlemen Award and the Influential Person of the Year Award. He was one of the 2019 New Leaders Council Fellows for the New Jersey chapter. Last year, Lewis was chosen as a finalist for the Lay's 2020 Smiler Campaign.
Lewis is grounded in his faith and is an active member of his church community. He is happily married to Dr. Myriam Spears and a proud dad to AJ and Beau. He is committed to building their family while continuing to create a legacy of upward mobility and service.
A firm believer in a community pulling itself up by its bootstraps, Lewis Spears has devoted his life and career to manifesting this philosophy. Lewis is no stranger to the ills that plague Jersey City. Having been born and raised in the Booker T. Washington Projects, he saw, first-hand how a lack of education, direction, and mentorship negatively impacts one’s quality of life. Determined to change the narrative and break generational and institutional curses, he embarked on a journey to uplift his community by transforming lives-one young person at a time.
After college, his decision to return to his hometown was intentional. He had a deep desire to evoke change from the ground up and invest in Jersey City’s challenged school district. For nearly a decade, he has taught across grade levels, focusing primarily on developing the special education population and providing access to up-to-date curriculum with little to no assistance. Education has always been a top priority for Lewis. He was educated in the JCPS and then went on to receive his B.A. from Rutgers University. Lewis continued his formal education at New Jersey City University, receiving a Masters of Arts in Urban Education to enhance his teaching pedagogy. It was at this juncture, that he realized that leadership was the solution to organizational change. In his pursuit to become an educational leader and increase his influence, Lewis attained an Educational Masters in School Leadership from Harvard University. While attending Harvard, he was honored as the Class Marshal, an esteemed award given for exemplary Scholarship in Action, excellent critical-thinking skills, and academic excellence.
Lewis is committed to effecting change by instilling value in the lives of young men in Jersey City and beyond. As a conscious instructor, child advocate and effective leader, Lewis aims to share his talents with anyone aspiring to defy mediocrity. Lewis is the Founder and CEO of Kismet of Kings, Inc. This enterprise provides a constructivist approach to developing good character. The curriculum highlights prominent Black/Latino men who made significant contributions to the world and utilize their knowledge through project-based learning. Through this organization, an initiative evolved, “Take Charge of Your Destiny,” an annual event that he spearheads, challenges young men to reach for greatness. The ultimate goal is to connect young men of color to positive, productive men, in the community who they can emulate.
Lewis was afforded the opportunity to travel abroad and teach in Johannesburg, South Africa, through the Teach With Africa program. Through this endeavor, he was able to deliver a fresh perspective that will continue to stimulate human potential despite environmental challenges. He has taken lessons learned while in South Africa to provoke teachers and students alike, to take a deeper look internally and externally to promote authentic living and communal responsibility. A future goal is to work with the Global Teachers Institute, housed in South Africa, to facilitate travel for young men in urban environments and complete projects in an international setting.
Lewis is passionate about enlightening the next generation and takes great pride in fostering positive connections and providing endless support. Currently, Lewis works as the Hudson County Youth Services Commission Administrator where he is committed to improving programming for youths on a daily basis. He is the recipient of the Elijah Hendon Award, National Action Network award, Greenville Neighborhood Alliance Award, She Is Black Leaders Honors, the Distinguished Gentlemen Award and the Influential Person of the Year Award. He was one of the 2019 New Leaders Council Fellows for the New Jersey chapter. Last year, Lewis was chosen as a finalist for the Lay's 2020 Smiler Campaign.
Lewis is grounded in his faith and is an active member of his church community. He is happily married to Dr. Myriam Spears and a proud dad to AJ and Beau. He is committed to building their family while continuing to create a legacy of upward mobility and service.