Men & Women of Promise
The Vision
In 2014, LaMarque Ward, CEO, of Dream Builders University, had the vision to expose young men to a day of mentoring, character development, vision setting and goal setting while building them up to realize their full potential.
The goal was for the students to attend a conference where they would leave inspired, giving them life and professional experiences that can shift their life trajectories by changing their path thus shifting their habits and disciplines allowing them to achieve goals and connect with role models to help them develop their VISION, DISCIPLINE, and CHARACTER.
The Launch
LaMarque shared that vision with Marty Carter, the former Vice President of Strategic Development at Prasco Laboratories, a pharmaceutical company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, and a high school basketball coach. LaMarque and Marty then brought the vision to Prasco Laboratories and the Arington Foundation.
LaMarque’s vision was launched when the first Men of Promise Conference was held in 2015 in Cincinnati, OH. The Men of Promise Conference became an annual event at Prasco for five years. In 2019, LaMarque and Marty took the Conference on the road to Charlotte, NC, where they expanded the Men of Promise Conference to include the first Women of Promise Conference.
Due to Covid, no conferences were held during 2020-21. But, in 2022, Men of Promise relaunched with 250 young men in Salt Lake City at the Zions Bancorporation Technology Center.
Men of Promise Conference Cincy 2023
Women of Promise Conference Cincy 2023
The Conference
Cincinnati
Xavier University Cintas Center
Men of Promise – November 14, 2023
Women of Promise – November 15, 2023
Charlotte
Dates To Be Announced Soon
Salt Lake City
University of Utah
Men of Promise – October 3, 2023
Women of Promise – October 4, 2023
Women of Promise Cincinnati Conference Speakers
Dr. Jennefer Williams
Dr. Christine Gibson
Kathy Wright M. Ed.
Dr. Belinda Wallace
Men of Promise Cincinnati Conference Speakers
Nick Jackson
Antonio Broadnax M.Ed.
LaMarqué D.Ward Sr., M.Ed.
Cincinnati Women of Promise Facilitator Registration
Cincinnati Men of Promise Facilitator Registration
What are they saying
Success is a process.
– Henry
Don’t be a victim be a victor and keep trying your best.
– Kekoa
To not be a victim and to be the leader of myself.
– Xavier
Everything starts with you. Use your resources to achieve your goals. Failure is not final.
– Johan
That everyone has the ability to choose what happens in your life.
– Isaac
That it don’t matter where starting point it’s all about the grind you put and no excuses.
– Nuku
If you want to move fast go alone but if you want to get far go as a group.
– Joris
Photo Gallery
Our Sponsors
After The Conference
- Inspirational planner/journal
- Monthly group follow-up at school
- Quarterly MOP/WOP inspiring broadcast
- School District can have further options
Men of Promise Pledge
I Promise to value my education above all else
I Promise to serve others before myself
I Promise to take ownership of my future with my disciplines today
I Promise to be resilient during tough times and never give way
I Promise to live by faith and past the test
I Promise to be the best example I can and lead the rest
I Promise! I Promise! I Promise