Empowering Youth Through Education and Inspiration
We believe in the potential of every young person to create positive change. Join us in making a difference today.
Our Mission
Engage the Vision movement is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization that accomplishes the following:
- Encourages and empowers our youth through consistent weekly mentoring
- Educates and liberates, inner-city boys and girls along with their families to reach their highest potential
- Builds strong, effective, self-sufficient, and safe communities for everyone to be uplifted (classrooms, schools, town/state/country and globally)
Our Vision
- Enrich our children and our communities through an abundant outpouring of love and resources flowing from our valued network of partners
- Perpetually operate with grace, acceptance, generosity, forgiveness and love
- Respect and support each other’s individual path and identity and combining our gifts for a synergy of progressive greatness
- Establish our ETV mentorship program in as many schools around the world
- We are equal and in this together
Our Purpose
- Provide positive relationships with caring, responsible, and professional adults
- Provide a framework for positive future growth, healthy, balanced relationships, and excellent decision-making skills
- Help develop effective problem-solving skills, crisis management abilities, and effective communication skills
- Help an individual develop and execute in excellence his/her own vision for the future
- Encourage individuals to develop their skills, abilities, and talents to their fullest potential
- Help students understand the importance of “legacy”, and create opportunities for them to pass on the knowledge and wisdom they receive to their cohorts and the next generation
- The provision of physical education, nutrition, martial arts, yoga, sports training and other body health conscious classes that aid in the reductuion of child and adult obesity in the United States
Get Involved and Make a Difference
Support our mission to empower youth through donations and volunteering.
LEADERSHIP TEAM
Meet our devoted and passionate ETV Leadership Team
VINCE ALLEN
FOUNDER | PRESIDENT
Vince loves avocados and is an Emmy nominated film, commercial, television and producer with multiple shows on air currently. He is the founder and president of Engage The Vision with the primary focus of bridging the gaps of equality for at-risk youth by bringing money and resources from the entertainment industry and beyond and investing them into our most in need inner-city communities.
DR. SHARON ELEFANT
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Dr. Sharon Elefant is the Executive Director for Engage the Vision. Additionally, she consults with various nonprofits to develop their organizational structure and administrative infrastructure, strategic vision and implementation plans, fund and growth development, and relationship cultivation. She is also adjunct faculty for Central Michigan University and Florida International University.
C.J. HAMMOND
MENTOR | DIRECTOR OF DONOR RELATIONS
CJ Hammond has been a proud mentor, advocate and board member for ETV for the last 4 years. As the Director of Donor Relations, CJ is actively working with the community, engaging businesses to foster sustainable relationships, and cultivating donors to support the programs for the young Queens and Kings of ETV.
LIANA DiMITRI
MEDIA MANAGER
Liana has always lived by the idea of taking the road less traveled. She had no clue what an adventure it would be when she interned for Engage the Vision in Los Angeles during the Summer of 2019. Now back at college and preparing to graduate with her bachelor’s degrees in Film and Communications in May 2020, Liana has continued to assist ETV with social media and creative writing. She was so inspired by the love and dedication expressed by Co-Founder and President Vince Allen, Executive Director Dr. Sharon Elefant, and various mentors that she decided to continue working for ETV. The welcoming energy of ETV made Liana feel right at home in a new state. This organization helped Liana grow in confidence and skill of her creative abilities. Liana looks forward to rejoining the ETV team when she graduates.
MENTORSHIP TEAM
Get to know the passionate individuals driving our mission.
STEVEN CAPLE, JR.
MENTOR | EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER
Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Steven Caple, Jr. is a USC School of Cinematic Arts graduate and writer-director. He premiered his feature film, “The Land” at Sundance 2016 and later in theaters where proceeds were donated to ETV. He is now penning an Emmett Till show at HBO, produced by Jay-Z, Will Smith and Aaron Kaplan. His directing credits include “Grown-sh,” Creed II and a Netflix docuseries.
IVANN ANDRÉS ACUÑA
MENTOR | ADVOCATE
Ivann Andrès Acuña is an artist, mentor, and entrepreneur. He is a proud first-generation Mexican American who was born in Chicago, Illinois and resides in LA where he does acting for theater, film, and television. He is the operations manager for the “Engage The Vision” mentorship program. A non-profit organization whose mission is to enrich and empower at-risk inner-city youths through weekly mentoring. Ivann has a Degree in Hospitality Management from the Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago. He loves his family and enjoys sports, traveling, food, and working with children.
COTTRELL GUIDRY
MENTOR | ADVOCATE | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Born in Long Beach CA, Cottrell was scouted to model at the age of 18 and soon after transitioned into taking theater in college. He quickly became what he likes to call a “Collaborator”, bringing other actor friends together, writing and producing content, like sketches, short films and other creative projects. He shares his talents, crafting each skill while able to juggle genres, from drama to comedy. His portrayal of the character “Brandon” in Grimshaw earned him a article in LA Confidential Magazine as “a young actor to watch out for.” And he recently guest starred on the television shows Powerless (NBC) and Criminal Minds (CBS). He’s currently working on the show American Soul (BET), slated to come out in January 2019.
COREY EMANUEL, Ph.D.(c)
MENTOR | DIRECTOR OF CONTENT & MEDIA
Corey Emanuel is a Los Angeles based producer, thought influencer, and scholar. In 2012, Corey published his first children’s book entitled, Can I Be President, Too?, paying homage to former US President, Barack Obama. With the success of his first book, Corey began speaking to at-risk youth across the country and decided to return to school and begin his Ph.D. in Media Psychology, an emerging field that seeks ways to leverage media, technology, and a deep understanding of human behavior to aid in social issues. Corey is the creator and host of the digital series, Lend Me Your Lens, profiling creatives of color, and is a member of the Television Academy.
KAMIL McFADDEN
MENTOR | SPECIAL AMBASSADOR
At the age of six years old, Kamil started acting and by the age of eight he attended auditions for the Youth Ensemble of Atlanta’s theatrical season. Kamil has appeared in several movies such as Grown Ups 2 and has worked alongside Zendaya in the Disney show, KC Undercover.
CHRIS COTTON
MENTOR | MEDITATION FACILITATOR
Born and raised in Hyattsville, MD, Chris Cotton always had a keen awareness of discovery and adventure. Now 31, he’s taken his sense of discovery to Los Angeles, CA to find his calling in the creative & healing arts. As a photographer, graphic designer & director his portfolio developed in curating the best out of models and the fashion-oriented shows involved. At the end of 2015, he released his first publication, Receive this Moment: The Gift that Keeps on Giving. Now currently, he devotes his time as the Marketing Leader at OneChurchLA & is developing a meditative therapy called Vision Check-Ups to help facilitate the renewal of mind, body & spirit for those visionaries at heart.
GREG KINSEY
MENTOR | ADVOCATE
L.J. STEAD
MENTOR | ADVOCATE
Get Involved and Make a Difference
Support our mission to empower youth through donations and volunteering.