2 months

My mother is the strongest women in the world because she had me at the age of 14. She told me it took her 18 hours of labor; while the umbilical cord was wrapped around my neck; the doctors had to perform a emergency C-section. Ever since then I’ve told myself since it was a struggle getting me here it’s gone be a struggle to take me it out.

8 months

Growing up in a low-income neighborhood where all you saw was abuse, violence, and poverty was a constant challenge to overcome barriers- both invisible and visible. It was hard to overcome these barriers because I was constantly living with a little fear in the pit of my stomach. Living in a neighborhood where there are few opportunities and even fewer resources in school made it extremely challenging for me to graduate from high school. I always thought to myself, "What if all that I achieved was suddenly taken away from me", "What if I could not provide for my family anymore" and even "How do I make my ancestors proud?" As I was growing up in this chaotic world, entrepreneurship was never mentioned by the adults in my life, and I would have never thought one day I would be an entrepreneur; but luckily that is what life had in store for me. As I began to listen and learn from others, I was able to become fearless. Now, I can use my story to help others overcome that same fear that many of us have. Someone once told me, "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. There is nothing enlightening about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. It's not just in some of us; it is in every one of us. And as we let our own lights shine, we give others permission to do the same". I believe as we overcome fear together, we should help others do the same by contributing to their success

Devoe Sherman l Founder & Business Coach 

De’Voe Sherman is a graduate of Woodward High School class of 2012 and is from Cincinnati, Ohio. He studied Political Science/ Liberal Arts at the University of Cincinnati. He was born and raised in Cincinnati and now wants to give back/work with the city with a vision of constructing a plan for everyone to live in harmony. Devoe says, "My involvement in the church has made me a better person with better character." De'Voe is driven to implement programs for students who need guidance and this stems from his time in high school. While attending Woodward High, he started to think about how to help the students graduate on time and begin their future careers consistently.

Devoe Sherman, known as The Electrified Speaker, is one of Cincinnati’s Premier Millennial Entrepreneurs and a true "Poverty to Success" story. De'Voe has built his career in a variety of roles and industries; mostly in small companies where he is the gatekeeper, business consultant, blogger, and community organizer. In his 27 years of life, he has experienced many heartbreaks and joys and has learned what it takes to hustle through tumultuous storms. He is a thriving businessman who believes in elevating success and making a positive impact in the community.

He is a modern-day serial entrepreneur who operates two business ventures. De'Voe is the educational director for First Generation Leaders of America, FGLA, as he has a dream to see young men and women succeed. He also functions as educational director for Rise Business Academy. Within this role, he is known as the Business Plan expert at RISE Consulting Group which, helps other small business owners create a plan for their own business ventures.

Both diversity and inclusion are his strong suits; he is dedicated to serving the needs of the community. With his organization, FGLA, he often visits schools across the Cincinnati area both to encourage and mentor youth to rise above their present environmental circumstances and pursue their dreams. He has worked in the political arena also in conjunction with AFL-CIO, as well as, functioned as a campaign manager for local & national politicians within the Cincinnati area.

​He is a fanatic for details particularly when it comes to presentation. He has worked in the copious community-organized projects that provide leadership for our communities to help create/maintain a welcoming and respectful climate for diversity. His zeal for diversity and success is insurmountable, truly making him a "change agent" in the community. De'Voe believes, “Unity is paramount, and consistency is key.” De'Voe Sherman is a winner with a positive attitude towards life, a driver for change, and a successful manager of success.

I created BMM because Black men need their own spaces. Black men need spaces where they can be free from the mainstream stereotypes and marginalization that permeate every other societal space we occupy. They need spaces where they can be tjier authentic selves without people’s judgment and insecurity muzzling thier expressions.When black men are together, there can be healing. They can reclaim parts of themselves that have been repressed. They can redefine themselves and support one another in embracing who they are. In these spaces, they will share stories about the discrimination they’ve faced, and find understanding and support. They can define themselves on their own terms by sharing their experiences in integrated spaces often means preparing to defend their anger and frustration.


Media

UC Diversity & Inclusion 
http://www.newsrecord.org/news/student-series-shines-light-on-shades-identities/article_3540de30-c56a-11e5-b668-376154e26dc2.html

UC Diversity & Inclusion 
http://www.newsrecord.org/news/students-visualize-racial-divides/article_ec72be8a-6709-11e5-96b0-abd6af4e908a.html
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Cincinnati Enquirer
https://www.cincinnati.com/videos/news/2016/06/10/85652274/

USA TODAY
https://www.usatoday.com/pages/interactives/intheirwords-obama/#video/cincinnati_sherman_devoe_race

WLWT Channel 5
https://www.wlwt.com/article/hundreds-march-for-national-million-father-march-in-bond-hill/12445203

WLWT Channel 5
https://www.wlwt.com/article/cameo-shooting-spurs-youth-leaders-to-plan-youth-march/9231649