LEADERSHIP
CEO and Founder, VIZION, was born Leroy McGhee on June 18th in St. Louis, Missouri, relocating to the Southside of Minneapolis at the age of 10. Although turmoil and chaos were his surroundings, Vizion found music to be his refuge. With dreams of becoming more, and a profound gift, he has prevailed. He finds inspiration in simple things like, everyday life, books and family. Beyond his musical gift, Vizion has a natural talent for business. As CEO and Founder of Male Mentors, Vizion has taken charge and is creating opportunities for others. He is a chameleon of sorts, ready to change the world for the better.
Interpretation is what sets Vizion apart. Pulling something from any and every experience helps him to add so much to his works. Well known for his camera works and freestyle abilities, he has filmed and directed hundreds of video productions and written over a thousand songs and choruses. He is constantly perfecting his craft. As frequently as one has a thought, he has a rhyme. The craft is simply embedded in him.
As a retired artist and presently a businessman, Vizion understands it can be hard to follow one’s dream, but he believes it’s always possible, “I pray sincerely and often. I believe in my heart that my dreams will come true; I never give up despite challenges and adversity.”
Vizion isn’t simply a name; it’s a way of life. With new life experiences comes new understanding. His attitude is always that a person isn’t living if he or she can’t walk away with something that can make them better. You have to have a “VIZION” of where you want to be before you can get there. He saw it… now everyone will see it. Things never looked clearer until the world met VIZION.
Yesterday’s Tomorrow is Today, the time is NOW!!
CEO and Founder, VIZION
Vizion's Purpose as a Mentor
His purpose as a mentor is to provide a younger generation of men with an opportunity he wasn’t afforded. He understands many of the challenges young black boys/men are faced with.Vizion grew up in an underprivileged home of a single mother with 7 children. It wasn’t an easy road and being tired of struggling led him to the streets. “I was not taught to exhibit emotion or feel pain. I had 5 sisters, a younger brother and I had to be masculine. Guidance was never a priority in my household; we had to survive. Growing up in a toxic environment had a violent and debilitating effect in my life. I made many bad choices and suffered the consequences for my actions. Ideally, I’d love to save millions! However, if I could save one boy from making the mistakes I’ve made, then maybe he’ll save one more.”
“We’re not going to sugarcoat life for these boys. We don’t believe in creating a false sense of reality. Our goal is to teach them that trials and tribulations will arise. That’s a part of life, at any age and stage. But it’s not in the unfortunate circumstance or hindrance, it’s how you respond to it. We try to teach them that the way you respond to obstacles in life can literally be a matter of life or death, prison or promise, a setup or a setback. The choice is theirs to make. We’re just here to help guide them into making the right choices. It’s my purpose.”
Mentorship for Vizion is not just about skills training or academics, but also on emotional support. For many of the youth we work with, we are the only men in their life. They trust us and we allow them a safe space to open up about their emotions. We’re all men that understand the pitfalls of holding it all inside. It leads to a downward spiral. The difference is made when you have men in your life to help you through it. Men that refuse to allow you to fail.