Empowering Scholars to Set Goals,
Discover Purpose, and Achieve More

I did not create this program because goal setting is trendy. I created it because it became necessary.

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In 2012, my 20-year-old niece, Latia Jones, was unintentionally shot and killed while sitting outside in her neighborhood talking with a friend.

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Latia was not lost.
She was not unfocused.
She was actively pursuing her goal of becoming a forensic psychologist @ Temple University so she could study youth violence and make a difference.

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She had vision.
She had direction.
She had plans.

And in one moment, her life was taken.

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That tragedy forced me to ask a difficult question:

What happens when young people are never taught how to see a future for themselves?

While writing the book "Have Goals Not Guns", which became Amazon's Best Seller in the Education Category, I realized something even deeper — many young scholars lack foundational goal-setting skills.

They do not know how to identify what they want, break it down into steps, manage their time, or take responsibility for their outcomes. Because of this realization, I structured a goal setting program.

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I began creating my own goal setting summer program and teaching youth scholars practical, measurable goal-setting strategies — not motivational speeches, but skills:

• How to define a goal
• How to create an action plan
• How to track progress
• How to build self-discipline
• How to take 100% responsibility for results

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When students develop vision, behavior shifts.
When they see a future, decision-making improves.
When they understand purpose, they protect it.

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This program exists to give students structure, direction,

and ownership of their lives — before poor choices or outside influences determine it for them.

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Latia’s life reminds me daily that potential is not enough. Students must be equipped. And that is why I teach goal setting to youth and young scholars!