OUR STORY
A Legacy of Building Kings, Honoring Tradition, and Transforming Lives
THE BEGINNING
Founded in 2018, Kings of Distinction was born from a simple yet powerful observation: young men in urban communities were growing up without positive male role models or clear mentors. Many of them were father-less and would graduate without proper training to mark their transition into manhood- other than their age.
Kings of Distinction's philosophy is that every boy/young man deserves a mentor, father-figure, big brother and well-rounded male role model to become a well-rounded man.
What started as a fraternal-style stepping team has grown into a thriving movement, touching the lives of the young men we serve and their families. We host a Manhood Ceremony with each mentorship session to ensure our mission of building kings, who are contributing citizens in society never dies.
OUR CORE VALUES
The principles that guide every aspect of our work
PRIEST
Guiding young men to develop their spiritual foundation, moral compass, and connection to God and creation.
PROPHET
Guiding young men to develop their spiritual foundation, moral compass, and connection to God and creation.
PROVIDER
Guiding young men to develop their spiritual foundation, moral compass, and connection to God and creation.
PROTECTOR
Guiding young men to develop their spiritual foundation, moral compass, and connection to God and creation.
KING
Guiding young men to develop their spiritual foundation, moral compass, and connection to God and creation.
BROTHERHOOD
Guiding young men to develop their spiritual foundation, moral compass, and connection to God and creation.
OUR MISSION
We provide identity development, manhood skills, business efficacy, financial literacy, physical health practices & social-emotional regulation to fatherless & mentorless boys in order for them to be contributing citizens in society.
Through mentorship, ceremony, and community support, we prepare the next generation to lead with strength, wisdom, and integrity.
OUR VISION
Committed to at ALL young men having strong cultural and personal identity, academic prowess, intrinsic motivation with mental, emotional and social strength and power.
We envision communities filled with kings—men who lead with purpose, serve with compassion, and inspire the next generation.
OUR JOURNEY
Milestones in building kings
THE FOUNDATION
Kings of Distinction was founded with three male teachers leading 5 young men at Hamilton High School.
EXPANSION NORTH
A Kings of Distinction branch begun in the Northern Memphis suburb of Frayser at Martin Luther King College Prep during the COVID-19 pandemic. And the first graduating class of K.O.D. graduated from Hamilton High.
EXPANDING IMPACT
The lone graduating senior from MLK College Prep graduated.
FURTHER EXPANSION SOUTH
Kings of Distinction begins in the Southern Memphis suburb of Whitehaven at Whitehaven High School. The first graduating class emerges from the school as well.
BIGGEST IMPACT YET
Kings of Distinction meets three times a week at three different locations. Our Inaugural Manhood Ceremony occurs. We graduate 10 seniors-our biggest graduation to date.
ALUMNI STILL NEED MENTORS
Kings of Distinction graduates 4 more seniors. We begin alumni meetings and invite college-age males to join.
COMMUNITY IMPACT
Our work extends beyond individual transformation—we're building stronger families and communities
BE APART OFOUR STORY
Your support helps us continue this vital work. Together, we can transform more lives and build the next generation of kings.