Founder and CEO
Founder and CEO
Meet Christopher King, an entrepreneur, philanthropist, professor, and WAM Academy’s (WAM) Founder and CEO who is revolutionizing mentorship.
Combining his passion for social impact with more than a decade of experience in education and technology, he created WAM in 2016. WAM is an educational technology company that uses interactive stories from mentors to improve learning outcomes and character growth for students of color. Prior to establishing WAM, he was a respected teacher in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn; a contract manager for Barack Obama's 2012 presidential campaign in Virginia; and an education consultant in several states. Christopher has been recognized as an innovator by Black Enterprise, Village Capital, and the National Institute of Health, and has been featured in Rolling Out and On The Ryse magazines, as well as CourseArc, an online learning platform. Christopher is proud to serve as a role model for youth and believes that mentoring "provides answers to the questions you didn’t know to ask, connecting mentors’ experiences with what students are going through, and equipping them with the right tools to approach any situation." He is on a mission to close the 16 million missing mentor gap with WAM Academy, which has an impact that includes increased classroom time, decreased substance abuse, and lower suspension rates. Christopher's vision to push innovation and improve the lives of diverse communities does not end with WAM. After earning his MBA from Howard University and penning a book about early-stage founders from his beloved HBCU, he decided to give back to his alma mater by serving as Adjunct Faculty at Howard University's School of Business, teaching business problem-solving to first-year students. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy from the University at Albany and a Master of Public Administration from Baruch College's Marxe School of Public Affairs.In addition to these transformational endeavors, he is an advisor to numerous startups and has served on the boards of DC area nonprofits.
Tech Partner
Tech Partner
Program Design Partner
Program Design Partner
Facilitation Partner
Facilitation Partner
Mykel Ellis is a dynamic professional residing in Patchogue, New York. With a passion for making a positive impact, Mykel currently serves as a Corporate Recruiter at the prestigious Carnegie Hall.
Before embarking on a successful career in human resources, Mykel dedicated his time to being a high school counselor, supporting and guiding 9th-12th grade students in Richmond, VA. His educational journey includes a Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources Management from DeVry University and a Master's in Applied Psychology from New York University.
Mykel's counseling style revolves around trauma-informed techniques and services, aiming to develop systemic interventions, targeted strategies, and collaborative partnerships. He strongly believes in adopting a trauma-informed approach to enhance school engagement, promote high school completion, and address students' social, emotional, and academic needs. His true passion lies in motivating, influencing, and positively impacting the individuals they support.
With the motto "Always Aspire to Inspire Before You Expire," Mykel strives to empower others to take action and fulfill their innermost desires.
Having experienced the challenges of being a first-generation college student and growing up in a low-income community, Mykel understands the transformative power of mentorship and guidance. His ultimate goal is to assist students in navigating their paths, reminding them that they are not defined by their circumstances but rather by the choices they make.
Facilitation Partner
Facilitation Partner
Pervis Taylor III’s purpose in life is to help men maximize their potential, master their emotions, and thrive in the lives of their dreams. As an award-winning celebrity life coach, inspirational speaker, author and mental health advocate, Pervis travels the nation delivering his uplifting message to crowds large and small. He has helped countless individuals achieve their goals, and is excited to see where his journey of self empowerment will take him next.
Born in Dallas, Pervis earned his Bachelor of Business degree from the University of Miami, then relocated to New York City to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. While he quickly found success as an actor and model, appearing in feature lms, commercials, and print ads, Pervis always felt that he had a higher calling. After much soul searching, he realized that helping people was his true purpose in life.
He began to compile the wisdom he had acquired into his rst two books, ‘Pervis Principals 1 & 2,’ both of which became international best sellers. Pervis was especially encouraged to nd that he had found a devoted audience of young men of color who connected with his progressive vision of masculinity and emotional intelligence. Gratied by the feeling that he was making a real dierence, Pervis decided to devote his life to his new calling.
Pervis set out to expand his reach, and soon found himself lending his expertise to the New York City Department of Education, as well as several colleges across the city. He was invited to take part in CUNY’s Black Male Initiative, and was honored as a ‘BE Modern Man’ by Black Enterprise Magazine. His work has been featured on Fox, e Today Show, Daily Mail UK, and many more.
While keeping up this tireless schedule, Pervis also found time to complete his Masters in Psychology from Columbia University, and write a new book called ‘Surthrvival Mode.’ Specically aimed at men, the book expands on Pervis’ revolutionary views of emotions and mental health. Pervis currently resides in Brooklyn, NY, where he devotes every day to improving his own life and the lives of the people around him. With more works soon to surface, Pervis continues to be a light in dark places and share hope with tools and encouragement for all.
Marketing & Creative Partner
Marketing & Creative Partner
What’s in a word? A description that evokes raw emotion. A moving call to action. Something that piques the curiosity of the reader. Words are certified copywriter Janay Barnes' life.
Crafting culturally relevant messaging that engages with customers, shares a unique tale, and produces results is where she finds purpose.
From her first foray into public writing as a social justice blogger, to heavy on the jargon technical writing, to the copywriting work she does today as the owner of The Glistening Pen, a copywriting agency that focuses on assisting marginalized communities, there’s nothing Janay enjoys more than putting words together in a way that promotes change and helps further progressive companies' missions. Companies like WAM Academy.
Janay likes to remind people that we all have a story to tell, and it deserves to be told. Sometimes, you just need a little help expressing it.
When she isn’t bringing stories to life, you can find her scrolling through her favorite social media, exploring new restaurants, or spending time with her family.
Facilitation Partner
Facilitation Partner
Zo Brown specializes in character and leadership development and is the founder of coaching and consulting agency, Zo Brown Speaks. Brown’s calling is to help people navigate their purpose-filled Journey to Success. Brown has coached artists, authors, managers, motivational speakers, professionals, and entrepreneurs.
He acquired a BA in Sociology and Journalism and an MSW from Rutgers University School of Social Work. Brown spent the bulk of his career at DCF developing and executing professional development workshops and has trained thousands of staff members, prospective foster parents, and community leaders.
Zo Brown Speaks, LLC was created to procure contracts with various agencies and provide services to their customers. Mr. Brown is also the creator and producer of the online professional development series, The Class and a series of networking events called Build & Sip. “Professor Zo” is a part-time lecturer at the Rutgers School of Social Work, where he teaches Professional Development, Diversity, and Oppression and Community Organization. Zo was honored with Educational Excellence by the Union County Urban League of Young Professionals.
Zo has traveled throughout the continents of the world and has been to Egypt, Italy, Dubai, England and Puerto Rico. Zo has a love for ministry and the arts and enjoys singing on the worship team at Liberty Church NYC.
Advisor
Advisor
Advisor
Advisor
Advisor
Advisor
Advisor
Advisor
Advisor
Advisor
Advisor
We Are Marcus LLC was established in Brooklyn, NY, with the Early College Initiative City University of New York WAM Pro and Harlem Village Academy pilot, as well as a Black Enterprise feature and market validation with 60 demo sign-ups from 10 states in a week.
WAM received sponsorship from Village Capital and launched the Black Excellence Sale, along with the development of WAM Pro.
2018 saw the implementation of the EL Haynes Charter School after-school wolfpack cohort in spring.
WAM partnered with Conscious Venture Labs in Baltimore, Maryland, for a cohort and showcase, as well as with Hustle Lab and Eduk8 for an immersion program in St. Anne, Jamaica. A CTO was also hired.
2020 brought participation in the 1863 Ventures program and feature, as well as student training at Hart Middle School and remote training of youth cohorts with the ABC Youth Foundation in California.
2021 marked the establishment of WAM Impact Partners 501C3 with donor support at $250k, research and design for WAM Academy, and an Education Pioneers fellowship.
WAM Impact Partners received $850k donor support for WAM Academy research and design, as well as customer discovery for the education sector in the US and abroad.
2023 brings the launch of WAM research and consulting, the Statesmen Academy College Prep for Boys in DC measuring love impact research, and deployment of the year-round platform. Additionally, WAM received the National Institute of Health Challenge.Gov award in 2019 to study the social determinants of health, substance disorders, and online mentoring, and was awarded by the Mayor DC and Greater Washington Economic Development in 2018 for a pitch competition at Inclusive Innovation Incubator (IN3), Howard University.
WAM Academy provides students access to the powerful stories of mentors and measures student character growth through their writing.
We would love to connect about how we can empower the next generation together.