Today we’d like to introduce you to Curtis Weathers
Hi Curtis, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Well, I grew up in the North Memphis community, attended Hyde Park Elementary, Cypress Junior High School, and graduated from Bishop Byrne High School. I’ve always loved sports and played football, basketball, track and field throughout middle and high school. I was lucky enough to earn a football scholarship to the University of Mississippi where I played wide receiver and tight end. After college I was drafted by the Cleveland Browns and played tight end and linebacker in the NFL for six years.
I have worked in public education (in various capacities) for over 30 years and have a particular love for school reform in an urban setting. I have been married for over 40 years and I have three wonderful sons. I graduated from the University of Mississippi with a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration and earned my master’s degree from Union University (Tennessee) in Educational Leadership.
I’ve been married to my wonderful wife, Nancy, for over 40 years. We have three amazing sons: Cameron, Caylon, and Christopher. I’m very proud of my 3 sons and the success they’re experiencing right now in their personal lives and careers. I love watching them navigate life. I also have two brothers, Carl and Dwight (who sadly has passed away), and my sister Trisha. Except for the time I lived and worked in Cleveland, I’ve spent my whole life in Memphis.
After my football career, I transitioned into public education. I started with the East Ohio Gas Company in Cleveland, which allowed me to work with the local schools in Cleveland. Eventually, I moved back to Memphis and continued my career in public education. I had the incredible opportunity to open one of the first charter schools in Memphis, the Memphis Academy of Health Sciences, where I served as principal for 12 years. I later served as principal of three other schools before retiring.
Retirement was nice, but I learned quickly I wasn’t quite ready to sit on the public education sidelines. After quickly becoming bored I founded a non-profit organization called The Brotherhood B2M. We focus on the growth and development of teenage boys in the Memphis area. We’ve had chapters in several schools where we met regularly with young boys and involved them in activities like camping, hiking, community service, college tours, and sports.
Missing the challenges of a school environment, I returned to work as the principal of Greater Praise Christian Academy, a private middle and high school in Memphis. I love this job! It allows me to combine my passion for mentoring young boys with my experience in education, and my love for Jesus Christ. I’m excited about this new chapter in my life and look forward to growing The Brotherhood and managing Greater Praise Christian Academy.
I’m the type of person who is inspired by the successes of the young boys and girls I work with on a daily basis. There is nothing more gratifying than to see the light go on in their minds and hearts. You have to know what to look for, but I love to see their conduct improve and they take a renewed interest in their academics, all because they came across a person who really cares. I love it when they correct each other’s conduct and protect the standards we set for how to carry themselves in public and in private. I love it when their parents or grandparents send us thank you notes or phone calls thanking us for the change they are seeing in their sons and daughters.
I’ve had a lot of different experiences in my life. I’ve worked in corporate sales and marketing for The East Ohio Gas Company in Cleveland, Ohio. The company allowed me to work as an executive on loan to the Cleveland Public Schools as Director of School Reform. I served in that capacity for almost two years. I later moved back to my hometown (Memphis) in 1998 and started work for the Memphis City Schools as co-director of the district’s Urban Systemic Initiative, a reform initiative sponsored by the National Science Foundation that focused on improving Mathematics and Science education in urban schools.
In 2003, in partnership with the 100 Black Men of Memphis, we opened one of the first charter schools here in Memphis, the Memphis Academy of Health Sciences, where I served as executive director and principal for 12 years. I’ve also served as principal of Hamilton High School, Dubois Arts and Technology Middle and High, and Southwest Early College High School. I retired for a few years, but God put me right back where I belong; this time, however, he added a little twist to the assignment. As I mentioned above, I’m now the principal of a small private middle/high school called Greater Praise Christian Academy. It is an awesome gift from God and I am thrilled about what He has me doing!
I have a deep and abiding love for children, especially those who are traditionally underserved by our educational system. I have dedicated my career and, quite frankly, my entire life to serving these precious young people. I also serve as founder and director of a nonprofit called The Brotherhood B2M Memphis, which is an organization that focuses on the personal development of teenage boys. We have chapters in elementary, middle, and high schools throughout greater Memphis.
I love my job! I’m passionate about the work I’m doing right now. I love working with children, and I love what God has me doing both with The Brotherhood and Greater Praise Christian Academy…it’s awesome!
I try to keep in mind that success comes with all the frustrations of life; mistakes, bad decisions, good decisions, regrets, and happiness. But when you add it all up, and you see what God is teaching you and the doors he continues to open, you realize that you are not alone on your journeys. I’ve overcome challenges by being persistent, keeping my eyes on the vision, and realizing that success is a step-by-step journey that is fraught with regrets sometimes. But I always keep in mind that the regrets are actually lessons God is providing to make me stronger so I can handle the challenges he has for me in the future.
Prayer and reflection with God are vital to any success I/we, you/me will experience through our journeys in life. You must have a vision though. A vision is so important because it helps you stay on track and not deviate too far from what it is you’re trying to accomplish. You have to truly love what you’re doing because you’re going to ask yourself on many occasions, “Why am I doing this?!” And, lastly, this kind of work is a “calling,” it’s an assignment from God. And I accept the challenge. He gave me my assignment many years ago and I accepted the challenge and I’m still working at it each and every day because I want to hear those glorious and wonderful words from Him when I enter heaven, “Well done, my good and faithful servant…” Mathew 25:23.
In my work with The Brotherhood, you realize that there is no greater work to be done than working to see that our young boys grow up to be “GOOD”, God-fearing men! I’m asking people to pray for our young boys and men. You don’t need to know their names, just mention them in your prayers daily. And when you see an opportunity to help or encourage our work don’t hesitate to acknowledge your support. Trust me, a pat on the back or a kind word does wonders for the soul and spirit!
I want to thank all the people I work with (at Greater Praise Christian Academy and The Brotherhood) who help me do the work we’ve been called to do, which is working with teenagers and their families. It’s tough sometimes, but God continues to provide resources and support. But more importantly, He continues to crystalize the vision and the direction we should be headed in. And I love where He is taking us! I have a wife of 40-plus years, three wonderful sons, and a awesome relationship with God the Father, who has me doing the work I love the most – working with teenage boys. Just Awesome!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Well, it’s been a fairly smooth road. After I left MAHS, I started bouncing around a little from school to school for various reasons. I got tired of that real soon and decided to retire and start my nonprofit. That was a good decision. I was able to be around kids, which is clearly my calling. My biggest challenge today is finding enough funding to help me do all the things I want to do with my organization and now my school. There’s simply not enough time in the day to get all the things I need done. It can be very frustrating at times.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’ve done a lot of things in my life. As a young man I worked for the Coca Cola Bottling Company as a route salesman. I later went off to college and earned a degree in Public Administration and a Masters degree in business. I’ve played professional football, started a business, worked in the non profit arena, and now back in the business of public education. So, I’ve had a full life.
As I’ve mentioned, I’m very proud of my non-profit organization, The Brotherhood B2M. B2M stands for Boys 2 Men. I have a chance to live out my passion of working with young boys. It’s a challenge, but that is what God called me to do. By the way, I’m also a licensed minister. My specialty is mentoring and education. I love working with young boys, that is my calling.
I’m most proud of my family, especially my three boys. Of course, they’re not boys anymore, they’re young men. All three of them are spread across the country doing their things, living their lives. Cameron lives and works in Los Angeles California, Chris in Knoxville, and Caylon is in the Washington D.C. area. They all have great jobs and are very successful at what they do. The only problem is that neither one is married, and, thus I have no grandchildren to make a fuss over 🙁
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Who else deserves credit? I have a lot of great friends, but the person who has had the greatest impact on my life is my mom, Mrs. Mary Johnson!! My mother was such an awesome person. I love and miss her a lot. She taught us about life, work ethic, and compassion! I love and miss her greatly!! My wife deserves a lot of credit as well. She has put up with me for over 40 years. We met in college and got married at an early age, right out of college. Our marriage together has produced three awesome sons and we’re still together. God is Good!!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thebrotherhoodb2m.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/curtis.weathers
