The Game Changed.

But Most High-Income African & African American Families Haven’t Gotten the Memo.

Your child is brilliant. But brilliance isn’t strategy.

The 8th-to-9th-grade transition is where high-potential Black students either become leaders who stand out — or high-achievers who blend in.

Teen boys playing lacrosse outdoors on a sunny day, with one boy running towards the camera and others in the background, all holding lacrosse sticks.
A young boy smiling in a classroom with large windows, wooden desks with stacked books, a world map, framed portraits, and trophies on the wall.
Family gathered around a dining table enjoying a meal and laughing in a well-lit room with wooden bookshelves, framed pictures, and a chandelier.

“We were running in a million directions—exhausted, overwhelmed, and still unsure how to get it right. Now, everything is intentional, strategic, and stress-free.”

— Parent of rising 9th grader

THE SYSTEM WASN’T BUILT FOR YOU TO WIN

Let’s stop pretending otherwise.

Private schools. Ivy Leagues. Corporate pipelines.

Every rung of the “elite” ladder was engineered to gatekeep — then renamed “meritocracy.” And yet, you’ve climbed it.

You’ve sat in rooms where your credentials were questioned but your competence carried the day. You’ve built wealth, credibility, and a name. Now your child is next — and the rules have changed.

  • Affirmative action is gone.

  • Test-optional doesn’t mean fair.

And “good schools” don’t equal good strategy.

Because while your child is busy perfecting grades, someone else’s is building a startup, publishing research, or launching a nonprofit — with adult guidance, private coaching, and six-figure strategy behind it. That’s the game.

THE NEW GAME: ENTREPRENEURIAL LEADERSHIP

The most selective universities are no longer impressed by straight A’s. They’re looking for students who solve problems, lead teams, and execute real-world impact.

That’s why we build Entrepreneurial Leaders.

  • Students who don’t just join clubs — they create initiatives.

  • Who don’t just volunteer — they design systems.

  • Who don’t just follow direction — they set vision.

Our 8th–9th Grade Roadmap turns interests into initiatives, academics into action, and effort into evidence. Because strategy isn’t about doing more — it’s about doing the right things early.

I’VE LIVED THIS SYSTEM. I ENGINEERED A WAY THROUGH IT.

My father — a Howard and Wharton alum, the first Black board member of Valley Bank, and a Wall Street executive — taught me what it means to play the game at level.

He showed me that access has rules, but mastery has language. With admission to five Top-20 universities, I graduated from Princeton University — not because of privilege, but because I learned to build a profile the system couldn’t ignore.

Now I help families like yours do the same — without burnout, gimmicks, or assimilation.

A woman sitting at a wooden desk with her eyes closed, writing in a large open book. The room has large windows with beige blinds, and a dark wood bookshelf filled with books is in the background. There are candles and framed photographs on the desk.
A woman sitting on a cushioned armchair near a window with blinds, holding an open notebook and a pen, with sunlight filtering through the blinds. There is a small round wooden side table next to her with a framed photograph, a stack of books, a teacup, and a candle. Behind her, there are bookshelves filled with books and decorative items. The scene appears warm and cozy, suggesting a moment of reflection or planning.

“It felt like going to a specialist doctor after years of self-diagnosing. They knew exactly how to position my son’s unique strengths into a compelling college story.”

— Parent of a rising 9th grader

WHY HIGH-INCOME BLACK EXECUTIVES TRUST us

They don’t need more tutors. They need translation. They know their child’s potential isn’t the issue — access is. They’re tired of “programs” that look good on paper but produce no leverage.


They want a mentor who understands both the mechanics of elite systems and the emotional reality of being Black within them.

This isn’t enrichment. It’s protection — of legacy, opportunity, and mental peace.

As one parent said after enrolling:

“I wanted to start earlier with someone who could see the full picture. Lionheart was the only program that combined academic, emotional, and strategic preparation. It brought clarity, reduced my stress, and helped my son see where he’s going.”

A boy sitting on the floor of a living room, smiling, with an open notebook and pencil, surrounded by scattered papers, in front of a coffee table. In the background, two adults are sitting on a sofa, one on a laptop and the other talking on the phone, with books and framed pictures on the walls.