Meet the Director
With a strong belief in a community's ability to rise above challenges, Lewis Spears has dedicated his life and career to bringing this philosophy to life. Growing up in the Booker T. Washington Projects of Jersey City, he witnessed the detrimental effects of inadequate education, guidance, and mentorship on individuals' well-being. Motivated to alter this narrative and shatter generational and institutional barriers, Lewis set out to uplift his community by empowering young lives one step at a time.
Upon graduating from college, Lewis made a deliberate choice to return to his hometown, driven by a profound desire to instigate grassroots change and invest in Jersey City's school district. For nearly a decade, he has been an educator across various grade levels, focusing on empowering the special education community and delivering modern curriculum with minimal resources. Education has always been a priority for Lewis, having been educated in the JCPS and earning his B.A. from Rutgers University. He furthered his education at 快猫破解版, obtaining a Masters of Arts in Urban Education to enhance his teaching approach. This journey led him to recognize the importance of leadership in effecting organizational change, prompting him to pursue an Educational Masters in School Leadership from Harvard University. During his time at Harvard, he was recognized as the Class Marshal, honoring his outstanding Scholarship in Action, exceptional critical-thinking skills, and academic excellence.
Mr. Spears takes pride in being the bestselling author of "You're the Answer to the Problem: From the Hood to Harvard and Back Again," a candid account of his journey from growing up in Jersey City, NJ, to attending Harvard Graduate School of Education, and returning to Jersey City as the Executive Director of his non-profit, Kismet of Kings. This organization employs a constructivist approach to instilling good character, with a curriculum that celebrates influential Black/Latino men who have made significant contributions to the world, utilizing project-based learning. Under this umbrella, "Take Charge of Your Destiny," an annual event spearheaded by Lewis, encourages young men to strive for greatness. The primary objective is to connect young men of color with positive, productive role models in the community, providing them with exemplars to emulate.
Lewis is deeply passionate about enlightening the next generation and finds immense pride in cultivating positive connections and offering unwavering support. Recently, he made the decision to step down from his role as an educator within the Jersey City Board of Education to fully commit himself to expanding Kismet of Kings and advancing its mission. His accolades include the Elijah Hendon Award, National Action Network Award, Fellow, Distinguished Gentlemen Award, Unsung Hero Award, designation as a 2019 NLC Fellow, and recognition as the 2020 Lays Smile Campaign Finalist. Additionally, to help improve the quality of this community, Lewis even ran for mayor of the great city of Jersey City in 2021.
Lewis is deeply rooted in his faith and is an engaged member of his church community. He is joyfully married to Dr. Myriam Spears and takes great pride in being a devoted father to AJ and Beau. Lewis is dedicated to nurturing their family while upholding a legacy of progress and service.