TRANSFORM YOUR COMMUNITY WITH WINNING STRATEGIES.

Join a mastermind to create solutions to complex issues facing our youth.

Success Teams Win!

Imagine… Being in a unique and uplifting community that cultivates a mindset for improving outcomes for the holistic wellbeing of youth.

Imagine… Learning and sharing research-based, winning strategies for the stewardship of greater youth achievement and personal development.

Imagine… Seeing more youth live with purpose and maximize their true potential in a culture of encouragement and celebration.

Who We Are

Dr. Monique Couvson

Named to TIME's 2025 List of "The Closers" and recognized by The Root 100 as one of the nation’s most influential African Americans, Dr. Monique Couvson is an award-winning author, social justice scholar, and philanthropy executive with nearly four decades of experience in the areas of education, civil rights, juvenile and criminal justice. She is the author of seven books, dozens of articles, book chapters, and other publications on social justice issues.

Dr. Couvson has lectured widely on research, policies, and practices associated with improving juvenile and criminal justice, educational, and socio-economic conditions for young people and women of color. Her 2018 TED Talk on how to stop the criminalization of Black girls in schools has received over 2 million views and been translated into 20 languages.

Read My Full Bio

Marlon Smith

Marlon Smith is a bestselling author, International Keynote Speaker and legacy wealth consultant with more than 33 years of professional experience in youth leadership, personal development, and financial education. As a Certified Financial Education Instructor & Legacy Wealth Strategist, Marlon has spoken in 45 states and 19 countries.

His work has been profiled by Essence Magazine and other print, radio, and televised media, leading to Marlon being a semifinalist for Oprah’s BIG GIVE.

Marlon earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Virginia. Marlon's career began as a Systems Engineer for two fortune-100 corporations, and then on January 15, 1992, he listened to his heart and resigned from his corporate position to start Success By Choice, Inc.

Read My Full Bio

Why Join Our Success Teams?

Join one or more of our Success Teams to build a sustainable model for addressing underlying conditions associated with some of society’s most pressing concerns for youth, including connectedness to school, mental health, optimism regarding life outcomes, criminalization, and readiness for employment.

Youth Optimism Tied to Economic Status

2022 Gallup World Poll: Youth optimism varies by economic status, with low-income areas reporting significantly lower future life ratings.

Millions of Youth Disengaged from Society

The Annie E. Casey Foundation (2024) highlights that 11% of youth, over 4.3 million, are disengaged from both education and employment, necessitating supportive re-engagement strategies.

Youth Unemployment Surges in Four Months

From April to July 2024, the BLS reports a staggering rise in youth unemployment, with 752,000 more young people out of work.

Educational Initiatives Combat Youth Disconnection

Educational programs target 4.3 million disengaged youths, aiming to reverse high unemployment and low optimism reported in impoverished communities. (Education Fund, 2024)

Winning Solutions

By focusing on three critical areas—trauma-informed care, support for incarcerated youth, and cultivating a culture of achievement—Success Teams empower adults to create meaningful, positive impacts on the lives of the youth they serve.

Our goal is to support adults who are working with youth toward their holistic wellbeing.

Testimonials

Marlon Smith is a man on a mission... A mission to help more people make the right choices and obtain their ultimate success.

Les Brown

Motivational Speaker

Marlon Smith is a modern master motivator. His enthusiastic wisdom and brilliance will open your heart, soul and mind. Expect to have your greatness awakened, embraced, stirred, enchanted, and captured to go courageously forward in achieving your dreams, goals, and ideal future.

Mark Victor Hansen

Co-Founder of “Chicken Soup for the Soul” series

Young or old, it makes little difference! Marlon Smith will empower you to do your best. sit up and take notes. Your life is about to change for the better.

Dr. Dennis Kimbro

Best-selling Author, Think & Grow Rich - A Black Choice

Monique Couvson is a fearless and brilliant intellectual. Her groundbreaking work…speaks directly and powerfully into the current moment.

Sherrilyn Ifill

President and Director - Counsel Emeritus, NAACP Legal Defense Fund

Monique Couvson is a personal shero of mine and a respected expert in this space.

Ayanna Pressley

U.S. Congress woman and the first woman of color elected to Boston's city council

Any serious conversation about the future of education must include Dr. Monique Couvson. Her trailblazing research and powerful writing have changed the game when it comes to how educators and policymakers think about issues in our schools and society. Dr. Couvson will help us imagine and achieve the future we all deserve.

Dr. Timothy Patrick McCarthy

Harvard Graduate School of Education and Kennedy School of Government

The Opportunity

In 2025, we are offering three, 6-week Success Team sessions designed to equip educators, mentors, counselors, and community leaders with the mindset tools and practical strategies needed to support the diverse needs of today’s young people.

Through these masterminds, we invite you to be in community with us as we design solutions to support the holistic wellness of our youth.

Session 1

Success Team on Healing-Informed Youth Development

Dates: Every Thursday from February 27 - April 3, 2025, 12:00pm - 1:30pm EST

Developing a “Healing Mindset”
Strategies for creating safe and inclusive environments
Resources for identifying and addressing signs of trauma in youth while maintaining professional boundaries.
Collaboration with mental health professionals to ensure effective referrals and support systems.

Register Now

Session 2

Success Team on Cultivating a Culture of Achievement

Dates: Every Thursday from May 8 - June 19, 2025, 12:00pm - 1:30pm EST

Developing an “Achievement Mindset”
Strategies for promoting resilience and a growth infrastructure.
Facilitating goal-setting strategies to help youth articulate and pursue their aspirations.
Enhancing academic support by integrating innovative teaching methods and enrichment opportunities.
Engaging families and communities to extend the culture of achievement beyond the classroom or program setting.

Register Now

Session 3

Success Team on Reintegrating and Supporting Formerly Incarcerated Youth

Dates: Every Thursday between Sept 18. - Oct. 23, 2025, 12:00pm - 1:30pm EST

Developing a “Freedom Mindset”
Strategies for effective educational strategies tailored to the needs of incarcerated or formerly incarcerated youth.
Resources to access tools for mentoring and vocational coaching.
Best practices for reentry support, including coordination with community resources to address housing & education.
Best practices for reentry support, including coordination with mental health needs.

Register Now

I would like to receive future communications

I agree to the GDPR Terms & Conditions

Contact

Phone

+1 916-461-9473
Address

7804-C Fairview Rd.

Suite 211,
Charlotte, NC 28226