The Jax Gents Inc. is a youth leadership program in Jacksonville, Florida; established in March of 2016. The organization was founded by Mari D. Gloster – with guidance from Darrin Williams, Darren Mason, and Evan Daniels. Our mission is to build young males, so they become leaders in their communities, assets to their local and global economy; all while reducing the impact at-risk situations have on hopeful youth. The vision of Jax Gents Inc. is to be a youth-driven leadership program providing a safe, positive environment where males teens can engage in positively constructive, educational, and recreational activities.
“The battles that count aren’t the ones for gold medals. The struggles within yourself the invisible, inevitable battles inside all of us - that’s where it’s at.” – Jesse Owens
OUR TEAM
MARI D. GLOSTER
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND FOUNDER
Shomari “Mari” Gloster a native of Jacksonville, FL. He is an Alumnus of Terry Parker High School and The University of North Florida. While in undergrad, he became a member of the Leadership Florida Network via College Leadership Florida Class XVII (2014), served as UNF Student Body President, and was member of the UNF Board of Trustees.
In 2016, he founded The Jax Gents Inc. a youth leadership program that has left a positive stain of success in the lives of hopeful young males in a diverse group of neighborhoods in the Jacksonville community. The program is currently operating, developing new initiatives and aiming to get more engaged in the community.
Currently, he professionally impacts the lives of students and families in the West Jacksonville community as the Director of Community Partnerships for Children’s Home Society. In addition to his professional work, he is civically and socially engaged serving as a Member on the Board of Directors at the Northeast Florida Community Action Agency, Immediate Past President of the Downtown Jax Rotaract Club, and an active Mentor to the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project Inc. He is also engaged in his church community serving the Lay Organization and the Wayman Temple AME Church Board of Stewards.
OPERATIONAL COORDINATOR
Nick Burch
BOARD of DIRECTORS
*Updates coming soon.
Partners and sponsors
