Welcome to The Black Suit Initiative
In The News
Camp Carefree Alumni Weekend
Camp Carefree provides FREE, one-week camping experience for kids ages 6 to 16. Once a year, they provide their alumni with a week of outdoor fun. This year, BSI members were able to assist in getting campers in/out of canoes and push wheelchairs up steep hills. EVERYONE had an enjoyable time!
New Community Partnership
When BSI moved onto the campus of Hope Chapel in July, we were provided the opportunity to partner with their members in community outreach projects. Our first month included distributing food from their food bank, cleaning the campus of Grimsley High School and clearing brush and debris around the church. We're excited about our new partnership!
Father & Son Breakfast
The Greensboro Men's Club Foundation hosted a Father & Son breakfast on Labor Day weekend at the Khalif Center. BSI members enjoyed an inspiring speech from Danny Manning, head basketball coach at Wake Forest, received school supplies, hair cuts and tickets to enjoy a football game at NC A&T.
Back To School Kickoff
August 17 was the official kickoff for our new BSI year. This event allowed "old" members the opportunity to mingle with new students. Through the generous support of our donors, all students walked away with ample school supplies!
Ready For Kindergarten
Since May, the young men of The Black Suit Initiative have worked with a group of Pre-K boys in their quest to be strong readers upon entering kindergarten in the fall. From sight words to reading small books, these young men are well on their way to being reading super stars! (Click on the link below to see one of our students read a book to his mother)
Committed To The Community
The Crumley Roberts Education Advancement & Leadership Center provides non-profit executives, across the greater Guilford County region, the opportunity to build effective leadership and professional development skills to further enhance their impact in the community. Click on the picture to learn more.
Your Investment Is Needed
Your generosity allows us the opportunity to provide these young men with FREE educational opportunities year-round. Make your tax deductible donation today.
Photo Gallery
Meet The Founder
Evainna W. Ross
Born in Lynchburg, VA, Evainna W. Ross has dedicated most of her life to helping youth secure better educational and economic opportunities through the development of her nonprofit organization, The Sparrow's Nest, Inc.
Upon graduating from North Carolina A&T State University with a B.S. in Public Relations in 1991, Ross began her journey working with youth under the leadership of the late civil rights pioneer, Rev. Prince E. Graves. Ross spent six years volunteering as the youth director of St. James Baptist Church increasing their youth programs' participation substantially.
Ross took what she learned at St. James Baptist Church and developed a community based model and launched The Sparrow's Nest, Inc. in Claremont Courts, a public housing community in Greensboro in October 2008. The Sparrow's Nest , Inc. was a mobile service which provided free programs on Saturdays such as ballroom dancing, sculpting, culinary arts and public speaking directly to youth in 4 of the largest public housing communities in Greensboro. Because of the growing popularity of these programs, Ross felt she wasn't making a lasting impact only seeing youth in these communities once a month. For that reason, in 2010, Ross, with a panel of educators and business owners, interviewed and selected 50 middle and high school youth to be members of a leadership program called The Chosen 50. The majority of these youth were selected from the communities she had served prior. These youth remained in the program until they graduated high school.
During their time in the program, these youth were empowered to make positive decisions for their lives as well as their communities. These youth have developed their own small businesses, developed political campaigns, created a stock portfolio and learned how to purchase their own homes and cars.
In 2014, Ross was recognized nationally by the Ascena Retail Group as an "everyday hero" who has dedicated her life to making the world a better place by empowering children in the areas of education, social support and self-esteem.
The Sparrow's Nest, Inc. has continued to evolve into a program which addresses the need of an ever-changing society. In 2016 they launched their newest division, The Black Suit Initiative, an all male leadership and community engagement program for middle and high school students.
Ross has been married to Kevin for 30 years and they have one daughter, Amariah.