July 2023

As teenagers, brothers Larry Johnson and Earvin Johnson were both headed down the road of pursuing their dreams in training for the NBA. However, Larry watched his dreams of being a professional basketball player slip away as he made choices that led him into a world of addiction and crime, while his brother, brother  Earvin became known worldwide as professional basketball star “Magic” Johnson. After years of struggling with addiction, Larry overcame substance abuse, relinquished his gang involvement, and decided to help others who struggle on that path.

In 1995 Larry founded Brotherhood Against Drugs and began his journey as a motivational speaker for schools, churches, prisons, rehabilitation centers, corporations and various other organizations. In addition, he has over twenty years of experience in consultation and mentoring services for various organizations and individuals.

Shad Moss, widely known by his stage names Lil Bow Wow, coined by rapper Snoop Dogg, and later as “Bow Wow”, is a renowned rapper, actor, and television personality. Raised by his strong and independent mother, Teresa Caldwell, Shad was instilled with essential values of confidence, independence, and faith in God from a young age. His rap career ignited at the tender age of five, using the moniker “Kid Gangsta.” A year later, he caught the attention of rapper Snoop Dogg during “The Chronic Tour,” The introduction to producer Jermaine Dupri further propelled his career. With the success of his debut album “Beware of The Dog” (2000), which went double platinum, and his follow-up album “Doggy Bag” (2002), which achieved platinum status, Bow Wow solidified his place in the music industry. Additionally, he made strides in acting, in movies like “All About The Benjamins” and “Like Mike” and starred in the TV show “CSI: Cyber”. Despite challenges, he has embraced the lessons taught by his mother and is now passing along these qualities and characteristics to his own children.

Flex Alexander, is a versatile actor and comedian celebrated for his outstanding performances. He rose to prominence with his role as Mark “Flex” Washington in the beloved television series “One on One,” alongside famous actors such as Kyla Pratt, where he showcased his comedic prowess and heartfelt acting. Beyond his on-screen success, Flex’s personal life has also been in the spotlight as he married singer and songwriter Shanice in 2000. Their enduring love and commitment have spanned over two decades, and together, they ventured into reality television with their show “Flex & Shanice,” offering an intimate glimpse into their lives and their strong family bond. Notably, Flex and Shanice have fearlessly shared their struggles and victories with the public, inspiring others with their openness and resilience. Their unwavering support for one another and dedication to their family make them a shining example of enduring love and strength in the entertainment industry.