We had the good fortune of connecting with Michael Davis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michael, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
I started Ethos Education Group because I understood the importance of achieving generational change by way of redefining one’s success through a firm understanding of identity and self-value. Without understanding these attributes, it is virtually impossible for students to become inspired learners and achieve ultimate success as they define it for themselves. My client relationships with celebrity athletes and entertainers such as Tim Brown and Everson Walls continues to demonstrate the importance of leveraging their social worth as a means to connect with impressionable students while supporting the mutual goals of both the parents and educators. Through this program, it is incredible to see how students, as role models, inspire and create generational change by shifting the mindsets within their communities. Consequently, our students achieve academic excellence while simultaneously closing the overall achievement gap.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
OUR MISSION Ethos is a nonprofit organization based in Frisco, TX. Ethos was founded (2010) by NFL Hall of Fame / Heisman Trophy Winner Tim Brown, Dallas Cowboys Legend Everson Walls, and President / Executive Director Michael Davis. Ethos has been serving the Dallas-Fort Worth community in the areas of character development and social emotional learning. Since the genesis of the organization, Ethos aims to foster and support students to address and overcome these challenges by teaching them self-value and foundational character traits within a developmental program titled, “Ethos Pedagogy Platform.” Our program’s purpose is to engage, motivate, and inspire students as they navigate the pathway from childhood into adulthood. To prepare future-ready adults, it is our job to create a village of support and influence that works to promote exposure, transparency, and empowerment. OUR CHALLENGE Many of our children suffer with Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) such as low self-esteem, confidence, communication, eating disorders, drug and alcohol addictions, bullying, gambling, peer pressure, anxiety, anger, frustration, and violent behavior. These life-altering events are traumatic and can have profound implications and influence our children’s identity and self-value. Empirical research indicates children who suffer from ACEs are challenged academically when pressured to perform within a traditional classroom setting. As families strive to support and help their children navigate through these challenges, it is vital to a child’s mental health and development, that they also receive additional and continued support and guidance within their own communities. The contributions, patronage, and partnerships that are established and fostered within the community, emanates a positive and protective environment for children to thrive. The support and guidance are necessary as children work to establish a future-ready orientation to make positive contributions within their community. OUR PLATFORM Our character development platform is called Ethos Pedagogy. It leverages 3 key components to engage students in a cognitive learning process: Ethos Curriculum, Ethos Village, and Ethos Champions. The curriculum is called “You’ve Got the Power!” that breaks up into a series of motivational and inspirational workbooks that highlights the principles of cognitive learning. The Village is an online portal that allows students the ability to access online training and digital workbooks. Ethos Champions are successful leaders, professional athletes, and celebrities that work to reinforce the curriculum. As a result, students can achieve generational change by redefining their success through increased self-value and character enhancement tools. The Ethos Pedagogy Platform is aligned with national common core standards. The use of technology innovations is the foundation of the entire Ethos Pedagogy platform. This mission was a labor of LOVE!! Definitely not easy!! However, knowing that you are changing lives of children and families generationally give me the strength to continue to fight and press on with God’s grace and mercy. I overcome challenges by way of the support of a great management team, sponsors, and our foundational belief that we can accomplish all things through Christ who strengthens us. No matter your position in life, I have learned that everyone has a testimony that can be used to help encourage someone else. Your struggle is usually not just about you but rather the blessings that can be realized from that struggle and poured into the next person to create generational change. We should never forget that “It takes a VILLAGE to raise a child,”

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I am an avid golfer…so whatever I do would have to be wrapped around a 18 hole golf course, great food and drinks either at the Cheesecake Factory or Skates on the Bay in Berkeley, CA…Love Seafood!!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to dedicate my shout out to my mother “Momma D”, Grandmother “Nana” and Uncle Butch. This was my original “Village” that supported and helped me define and protect my identity and purpose in life as a God fearing, intelligent and multi-talented African-American Man. As a student-athlete at University of California at Berkeley (UCB), my identity through the eyes of my coaches was centered around my ability to play football at a high level. It was not connected to my academic ability to become a HAAS Business School graduate. As a freshman, I was only given 10 majors to select from; UCB offered 97 majors. The reason I was to pick from these predetermined majors was because academically they aligned with my identity as an ATHLETE. Unpronounced to my coaches, I had a strong village that helped me understand and fight for my self-value and identity as a gifted athlete AND scholar student. Moreover, I rejected the 10 majors and selected Business as my major. The power of MY village changed the course of my life forever. Ethos VILLAGE serves as a support platform for students who unfortunately do not have their own village.

Website: www.ethoseducationgroup.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ethosedugroup/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-davis-a4b59a58/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EthosEduGroup

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EthosEducationGroup

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-TATabbq2cwjodxklhLKEQ

Other: www.ethosvillage.com (online portal)

Image Credits
Andre Costa

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