SIMPLY ELEVATE SUMMER 2015 Summer 2015 | Page 51

These speaking engagements gave him the opportunity to interact with impoverished youth and as such caused him to have the desire to introduce them to “greatness.” Edward L. Enterprises’ primary mission is to work with young people who possess limited vision due to their environmental circumstance or the societal labels placed upon them. Through workshops and engaging keynote speeches, Edward inspires, motivates, and empowers youth throughout the country, to look beyond their environment to achieve greatness. The organization challenges the youth mentally, physically and spiritually to have the desire to want and to achieve bigger and better things, by obtaining the best that life has to offer. Edward tells the youth that all of them possess “greatness” inside of them. He reminds them that no matter what their current circumstance is, they can finish high school, go to college, obtain a good job, live in a nice neighborhood, and even travel the world. He does this by providing many opportunities where they are mentored to and are exposed to new and exciting ideas/things. Additionally, he challenges adults and organizations to get involved in mentoring while also safeguarding the future generations. Edward states, “Every community faces its own unique challenges, however adults and community organizations must establish ways to positively influence our youth and expose them to greatness. We must do less complaining about problems that our communities and youth are facing and find ways for improvement and shape the future.” Edward is very passionate about working with our youth and is on a mission to ensure that all youth, all people achieve “greatness.” He truly believes that “your altitude will have no ending, if your attitude has a positive beginning.” As I think about all that Edward does for our youth as we prepare for a new academic year, I keep hearing in my spirit what a fitting name Edward is, as in Edward the “great” who empowers our youth to “greatness!!!” You may contact Edward at EdwardL@EdwardLEnterprises.com www. edwardlenterprises.com; or follow him on Facebook: Edward L. Surratt and Twitter or Instagram @REVRATT www.simplyelevate.com 51