OF STRENGTH, GROWTH, AND PURPOSE

Our Story

Founded by Angel Mays-Andrews, Next Level Youth grew from a personal journey of overcoming adversity. Angel’s mission is to uplift and advocate for youth ages 15-24 , helping them discover their potential and step into leadership.

Inspire and support youth to overcome barriers and reach their potential

Mission

A community where every young person has the tools and support to rise to their next level

Vision

Growth | Strength | Diversity | Empowerment

Values

Angel Mays-Andrews

– Founder, Next Level Youth

I am a passionate advocate, motivational speaker, and founder of Next Level Youth, dedicated to empowering youth and families to overcome obstacles and achieve their fullest potential. My journey began at just eight years old, when I entered the juvenile justice and child welfare system. I spent nearly a decade navigating these systems, learning resilience and self-reliance while facing challenges many cannot imagine.

Angel with curly black hair smiling in a field of yellow flowers.

A woman in a black and white plaid jacket standing in front of a projector screen, pointing at a presentation slide. The slide compares promises made to families with what actually happens, including issues like trauma and lack of program responsiveness.

At 17, I aged out of the system with limited support, forced to navigate adulthood on my own. These experiences shaped my understanding of the barriers youth face and fueled my commitment to advocacy, mentorship, and creating opportunities for those who often feel unseen or unheard. I use my story to inspire hope, demonstrate perseverance, and show that one’s circumstances do not define their future.

Through Next Level Youth, I provide programs, mentorship, and motivational speaking designed to equip young people — particularly within the BIPOC community — with the tools, confidence, and support to rise above adversity and thrive. Beyond my professional work, I am a devoted wife and mother of two, committed to living with purpose and helping others step into theirs.