Meet Jeremiah Pojah | Educator, Entrepreneur, & Mentor

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

Hi Jeremiah, what inspires you?
My inspiration stems from my faith in God and commitment to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. When I was a teenager, I often wondered what I was supposed to be doing as I sought earnestly for purpose in life. I made many poor decisions in the process of seeking my identity, but when I completely surrendered my life to God, I was able to find my identity and purpose in life. For this reason, helping people find their purpose has been one of my primary missions in life. In the world we live in today, multitudes of people are seeking personal identity and purpose. When a person has a purpose, they are motivated to be productive because they can see the value they possess. If a person is without identity that person is unable to find purpose because their purpose is appended to their identity. Therefore, without a defined purpose it is hard for that individual to identify their value. I am motivated to help individuals, especially young people, find their identity so they can be maximized and display their intrinsic value given by God.
Ultimately, as a Christian, I am inspired to live a life of purpose, service, and devotion to God. As an educator, mentor, and entrepreneur, I strive to empower others to live to the fullness of their purpose. Witnessing the strength and resilience of individuals, as they navigate life’s challenges with unwavering faith and trust in God’s plan, serves as a source of encouragement and inspiration in my life.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I want to highlight my work as the CEO of the faith based non-profit organization Man Up International Alliance, Inc. based in Stockbridge, Georgia in Henry County. The purpose of the organization is to provide mentoring services and resources to teenagers and young adults to assist them in behavior intervention, graduating high school, career planning, vocational training, and leadership. We currently serve dozens of young men with ages ranging from 12 to 25 years old. We also serve at-risk male students at Excel Academy which is the alternative school for Henry County. What sets us apart from other organizations that resemble what we do is the concept of the Rite of Passage. With the lack of positive male influence in the lives of many teenagers, teenage boys usually struggle with the transition from being a boy to man. Therefore, many of our young men are held captive and are unable to be productive members of society when they reach the age of 18. Lacking guidance and accountability, the statistics show that many of the teenagers in Atlanta and around the world are set up to be incarcerated or financially unstable as adults, especially in the African American community.
Through our Bible based curriculum, one on one mentoring, exposure to career/vocational skills, and interactive field trips, our mentees can receive all the experiences and support needed to go through a Rite of Passage and become responsible men. This is what primarily separates what we do from many other non-profit organizations that provide mentor services to our youth. We address the inner wounds in the child with Bible-based teaching and counseling, while holistically shaping the whole individual.
In 2023 I decided to commit to being an entrepreneur and growing the non-profit organization Man Up International Alliance, Inc. It has been exciting to see the impact in so many lives of young men, especially those who are growing up without a father figure. Fathers are vital in our society and when they are absent it takes other men to stand in the gap and support the next generation of young men. Although the need is obvious, creating a unified mission and vision for our organization was challenging. Soliciting support and buy-in has been difficult, but through consistency and constant communication we have seen the growth of our organization.
I would like the world to know that the Man Up International Alliance is a global effort with the goal of supporting men as they become successful leaders, husbands, and fathers in our communities. We want to raise up leaders who will in return invest in the next generation through productive mentorship. We are a 501(c3) non-profit organization that is funded by monthly memberships and our generous donors. To get more information or to support our mission visit www.manupinternational.org

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 have been living in the Atlanta area for about nine months and there are so many things to love about the city. Atlanta offers great food, down to earth people, and a nice blend of outdoor attractions and entertainment. Coming from Houston, Texas there are a lot of similarities but Atlanta is a unique city in its own right. If I had a friend coming into town there are a few experiences that I would definitely recommend from my short time living in the area. As far as food there are three places I recommend: Ray’s Southern Foods, Desta Ethiopian Kitchen, and Little Alley Steak. Ray’s Southern Foods is one of the great soul food restaurants in the Atlanta area and the food is on point! Desta Ethiopian Restaurant has great Ethiopian dishes as well as phenomenal service. Lastly, Little Alley Steak is a high echelon steakhouse with some of the best meats in the country!

As far as attractions and entertainment 3 places come to mind: Stone Mountain, The Atlanta Botanical Gardens, and State Farm Arena. Stone Mountain Park has beautiful natural parks surrounding a mountain. The mountain is the largest exposed mass of granite in the world. There is also a walk-up trail that is very challenging and family-friendly. The Atlanta Botanical Gardens is a peaceful oasis with beautiful landscapes, great shows, and good food. Lastly, I don’t care if you are a basketball fan or not, but the Atlanta Hawks do a wonderful job of creating an experience at their games. From the basketball game, to the different events and activities, it is a fantastic experience from top to bottom!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
One of the most influential mentors in my life has been my good friend Rashid Tillis. His guidance, leadership, wisdom, and support have left a lasting impact on me, shaping not only my career path but also my personal and spiritual development. He has inspired me to trust in the gifts that God has given me to step out of the box and maximize my opportunities in life. Rashid possesses a unique ability to see potential in others and to nurture it with patience and encouragement. Whether it was offering valuable advice, challenging me to step out of my comfort zone, or simply lending a listening ear, Rashid consistently went above and beyond to support me.
What truly set Rashid apart was his genuine care and investment in my development even if it wasn’t pleasant. He believed in me even when I doubted myself and always pushed me to aim higher and reach further. His unwavering faith in God served as a constant source of motivation, inspiring me to overcome obstacles and persevere in the face of challenges.
Rashid not only imparted valuable knowledge and skills but also instilled in me important values such as commitment, integrity, humility, and resilience. Through his own example, he taught me the importance of leading with compassion, humility, and a commitment to continuous learning and growth.
The impact of Rashid’s mentorship extends far beyond my professional endeavors. It has shaped my character, instilled in me a sense of purpose, and equipped me with the tools to navigate life’s complexities with confidence and grace. I am forever grateful for the privilege of having Rashid as a mentor and for the profound influence he has had on my life. His life will continue to inspire me as I strive to pay forward his faithfulness and mentorship to others.

Website: www.manupinternational.org

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7d5YZBhsgsUl-Srr1N-Y4Q