Select Page
Gentlemen and Scholars logo

South Bend, IN

Gentlemen & Scholars Inc.

About Us

 Gentleman and Scholars, Inc. is a nonprofit organization with 501C3 status that serves the communities of St. Joseph County and the greater Michiana region.

Established in 2014, by William Douglas, Gentlemen & Scholars has a mission is to empower the youth and equip them with the skills necessary to become better versions of themselves. It is our vision to assist the youth with unlocking their individual potential value, in order to maximize self-expression.

The organizational purpose of Gentlemen and Scholars is to provide an alternative to the mainstream stereotypical path for the youth. 

 

MEET OUR BOARD

William Douglass

Founder/CEO

 

C Shawn Thomas

President

Shane Williams

Director of Arts

Cory Brazier

Director of Presentations

Spelling Bee Explosion

Each year we host our academic competition, The Spelling Bee Explosion, to encourage the youth to use their minds and words effectively.  Our annual event has awarded over $13,000.00  in scholarship funds to our competition winners. 

THE SCHOOL OF ETIQUETTE AND LIFE SKILLS

The School of Etiquette and Life Skills is our co-ed year-long program. It is six eight-week sessions that will empower the youth to make better decisions, guide them to become responsible community members, and to develop their personal and social leadership skills.

The purpose of the School of Etiquette and Life Skills is to help provide an alternative to the stereotypical wayward path that seems to appeal to this tender generation. We aim to create young ladies and gents, while challenging their negative self connotations by rewiring their mindsets.

Our workshop is implementing strategies that encourage children to find their voice and build their self-confidence so they’ll realize that they are more than adequate.

scholars speak

The purpose of the Scholars Speak program is to help provide a self-expression outlet to students and serve as an alternative to self-destructive and wayward decision-making that seems to appeal to this tender generation.  

 This is a public speaking workshop where the objective is to develop the youth into skillful keynote speakers and speech writers. It is a co-ed, eight-week program with two training sessions per week. The Scholars Speak program will introduce fun concepts that show the youth how to use their voice to inform an audience of an impactful idea. Students will learn the pros and cons and the important history of the motivational speaking industry while being prepped for the opportunities to be a speaker resource option for public engagements, conventions, conferences, and other types of events.

All participants will be showcased and encouraged to share their message on stage. This process will help them form social connections, recognize how they can influence decision-makers, enhance team and management leadership skills, and motivate change while developing vocabulary and fluency in the language. 

#Put The Guns Down & Scholar Up!! 

A community-driven and compassion-fueled campaign dedicated to raising awareness and taking action against the devastating impact of gun violence in our society. Rooted in the belief that every life is valuable, we strive to foster a safer environment by promoting responsible alternatives to handling conflict and disagreements. Advocating for individuals to use their voice as a weapon instead of a Gun. Through educational programs, public forums, and collaborative partnerships with community leaders and local organizations, we aim to empower individuals with the knowledge and tools to prevent tragedies and create a united front against this pressing nationwide issue.
Together, we can envision a future where senseless acts of Gun violence no longer shatter lives.
Join us in our mission to build a safer community for everyone. #Scholar Up!!

 

#Put The Guns Down & Scholar Up ESSAy Challenge

“CLASS IS IN SESSION”
Gentlemen & Schoolars Inc. 501 c-3 in partnership with WUBS 89.7FM Violent Free Campaign Presents:
🗣️ “ PUT THE GUNS DOWN & SCHOLARUP. ☝🏿☝🏿☝🏿ESSAY CHALLENGE “☝🏿☝🏿☝🏿
THIS INITIATIVE IS GOING TO AWARD HIGH SCHOOL & MIDDLE SCHOOL SCHOLARS FOR THEIR LITERARY EFFORTS IN COMPLETING AN ESSAY THAT WILL ADDRESS THE EFFECTS OF GUN VIOLENCE THAT PLAGUES OUR COMMUNITY. PARENTS, ADMINISTRATORS, TEACHERS, COACHES, GUARDIANS & MENTORS, PLEASE SHARE AND GIVE YOUR SCHOLARS AN OPPORTUNITY TO WIN THIS SCHOLARSHIP AWARD!!! All Inquiries Please send to [email protected]

 

TESTIMONIALS

Gentlemen and Scholars did a great job speaking to the kids at our conference.  They were really good with the kids and had everyone speak.  They are big on teaching public speaking and building confidence in the kids. G&S talked about speaking positive affirmations to ourselves and each other. We talked about how to take care of a plant, from a seed, which represented our goals in life. We nurture them and take care of them. I brought up how talking to a plant gives them CO2 and how they convert it to O2 which brings love. They talked about a book that I actually heard about last week. It was about the memory of water. We make up at least 60% of the water in our bodies. A man did an experiment where they took too 2 bottles of water. They encouraged one, and cursed the other. They then froze the water and looked at it under a microscope. The one that was encouraged had beautiful crystals, patterns, and shapes. The one they cursed was all jagged and ugly. It showed how our makeup is mostly water and how words really affect our molecular makeup from a physical and spiritual standpoint. We had a great conversation with the kids and they were so engaged.

Dr. Jon Abiera

 I teach 2nd grade at Coquillard. I wanted to let you guys know that the change I’ve seen in a particular student is wonderful because of the Gentlemen and Scholars program. After school today, this student was waiting on his ride in the office. There were 5 other kids in there and they were all arguing, going back and forth with each other, and not listening to the principal. This student just sat there and looked so calm, composed, and mature. He didn’t engage in any of the other kids’ behavior or egg them on in any way. He wasn’t my student, but I remember seeing him struggling quite a bit last year from across the hall. I told him I had to let you guys know how great he was doing being a leader, and his face lit up. Thank you for doing what you guys do!!
~ Ms. Sara Rodriguez

As a parent, my strong desire has always been to maintain a solid village for my daughter.  Gentlemen and Scholars, Inc. divinely entered our lives at the perfect time and have served in various roles.  Whether it is through mentorship, coaching, academic encouragement, or serving as father figures, they are undeniably positive influences for my child. I am forever grateful!

~Reasha Ly

Hi, I am the Health and PE teacher at Grissom Middle School. I read in the paper that one of my students was attending a respect class and how he was being taught manners and how to behave for this young generation of future leaders in our community. Please know that I have always noticed his respectful demeanor towards me and his fellow classmates. He has demonstrated in real-life situations what it means to be a gentleman and positive leader in his school. Please let the director and fellow colleagues know this class is truly outstanding and helps make the community a better place. My hat goes off to you as his guardian and also to the fellow community members that are instilling these important attributes in our younger generation. God bless all of you and have a great day. 

~Coach Manspeaker

Gentlemen and Scholars Inc. is proudly sponsored by: