Young Gents, Inc. provides boys of color, kindergarten through high school, with a substantive developmental curriculum encircling social intelligence, authentic mentorship, cultural enrichment, and out-of-this-world travel experiences that expand their horizons and normalizes black excellence. From August through April, boys engaged in our initiative will garner critical social skills that will set them apart from their peers – and most adults – all while still ensuring they continue to enjoy being rambunctious little boys.
Our initiative catalyzed out of the need for a youth-tailored approach to leadership, social intelligence, and business development for our own sons. Research shows that children need to be exposed to matched role models who communicate to them that “people like me” can be prosperous, especially in underrepresented environments. Heading into our third year, we are excited to introduce program enhancements such as the Young Gents Book Club, the Young Gents Charitable Fund, and immersive, bi-coastal travel experiences.
As we prepare to expand across the United States, our goal is to reach boys from various socioeconomic backgrounds and to create a network of families and mentors who foster their growth.
A native New Orleanian, Kesha is a graduate of Tulane University where she studied Exercise Science/Sports Medicine and Africa and African Diaspora Studies. In 1998, she used these areas of concentration to write an award-winning proposal giving her the unique opportunity to travel to South Africa and conduct research on women athletes. While in South Africa, she also worked with the Border Institute of Primary Healthcare, a non-governmental organization that promotes HIV/AIDS awareness throughout the Eastern Cape.
Upon her return to the United States, Kesha has served intently in the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors. In 2007, she earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration with a concentration in nonprofit management from Troy University. With over 15 years of experience, Kesha has held various leadership positions with national philanthropic and nonprofit organizations including the American Cancer Society, American Red Cross, Boys and Girls Clubs of America and the Turner Foundation.
Kesha and her husband, Randy, love and adore their two amazing children: 14-year-old Connor, a founding member of Young Gents, Inc. and 5-year-old baby girl, Bradleigh. She enjoys yoga, running and traveling around the world with her family experiencing new cultures through authentic, immersion experiences.
Kesha founded Young Gents, Inc. for her son, Connor. Realizing there is a desperate need to groom and grow the next generation of global Go-Getters and Go-Givers, she rallied a group of like-minded moms to embark upon an incredible movement to normalize black excellence®.
Through unique cultural experiences, authentic mentorship, practicing proper protocols of etiquette and fine dining along with domestic and international travel, Young Gents, Inc. will intentionally expose African American boys and boys of color to tangible examples of black excellence and equip them with every skill and tool they need to demonstrate excellence at home and exude it everywhere else.
Randy was born and raised in the Midwestern city of Omaha, NE. He attended Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, LA where he received a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Accounting. Randy also earned a Master’s degree in Management Information Systems from Troy University of Troy, AL.
Randy spent nearly two decades working in every aspect of accounting and finance with some of the world’s most iconic Fortune 500 companies including Coca-Cola, Philips Electronics, The Weather Channel and Cox Communications. Looking for a new challenge, in 2011 Randy launched RC-Link Consulting Group – an accounting consulting firm that provides daily money management services for individuals, small companies, and religious organizations.
Randy has always had a strong desire to serve people. As a result, he was ordained as a deacon at the West End church of Christ where he has been a faithful member for well over 20 years.
Randy enjoys networking, watching sports and coming up with innovative business ideas. He is married to Kesha Clinkscale and they are blessed with two children: 10-year-old, Connor (a founding member of Young Gents, Inc.) and 6-month old baby girl, Bradleigh.
Randy believes that the framework for success must be etched into the minds of children at a very early age. Their individual ideas of what success looks like – for them – must be nurtured and encouraged. They must be taught how to behave, engage and interact with people of all ages, cultures, and backgrounds with tolerance, respect, and humility.
These life lessons are the quintessential foundational elements of Young Gents, Inc. And these lessons which are taught, practiced and demonstrated as a part of the Young Gents, Inc. curriculum are what makes this Movement not only an important initiative but a critical necessity – particularly for African American boys and all boys of color.
A native Californian, Brandi has made Atlanta her home for more than 10 years. She’s a seasoned professional with over 20 years experience in the fields of administrative support and human resources.
In addition to her work in corporate America, Brandi has also been an event planner for nearly a decade coordinating and planning weddings, baby showers, corporate and private parties. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, watching movies, reading. She is a die-hard Los Angeles Lakers fan, enjoys attending NBA Basketball games and is the ultimate lover of music!
As a mentor and very active in the lives of young people and also being the guardian of her 8-year-old nephew, Brandi’s service and dedication to strong positive influence, education, and training today’s youth are why Young Gents is so important to her.
Stacy B. Jones is a proud native of Vallejo, CA. He is the product of the Vallejo City Unified School District where he graduated from Dr. James J. Hogan Senior High School. While at Hogan, Stacy was an exceptional leader where he held the positions of Sophomore Class President, Junior Class President and ultimately Student Body President. He was also elected Governor of California Boys State and had the pleasure of meeting President Bill Clinton as the California delegate to Boys Nation. These leadership positions were seminal in preparing Stacy for his professional future.
Upon graduation, Stacy began his collegiate journey. After many years of working full time and going to school, he graduated from Abilene Christian University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Psychology and Christian Ministry. Stacy returned to California and began his career as a Healthcare Administrator at the University of California San Francisco. While working at UCSF, Mr. Jones returned to school at the University of San Francisco and obtained a Master’s Degree in Organization and Leadership.
With his graduate degree, Stacy went on to work for some of the most well-respected healthcare organizations in Northern California. Most recently, Stacy was an Operations Director for a Pain Management Clinic and was responsible for the overall operations of several practices in California and Hawaii. In early 2018 Stacy established SBJ, Enterprises LLC which is the parent company for several entrepreneurial endeavors. His primary business is a consultancy for small business with a focus on improving overall customer experience. Stacy has leveraged more than a decade of experience in healthcare in an effort to assist small business in creating the ultimate customer experience in order to be more competitive in the marketplace long term success and sustainability.
Stacy B. Jones is also a well-respected minister having served churches in Texas and California. His dynamic, engaging and informative style has afforded him opportunities to speak all over the world. This has also given way to participate in missionary work in the beautiful African nation of Ethiopia.
All in all, Stacy is honored to be able to share his knowledge and experience as part of Young Gents, Inc. and have it be a part of the San Francisco Bay Area. Northern California is a hub for innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship; however, the representation for people of color is disproportionately low. Exposing young men of color to the look and feel of success will unlock their minds to the great potential that is already inside of them and set them on the path of actualizing that God given potential.
