User:Sbrax57

Steve Braxton was born January 30, 1943, in the rural area of North Louisiana.He is the oldest of ten siblings, raised by parents who were sharecroppers (Thomas & Mary Braxton-both deceased)he was raised in the deep south, known as the "Cane River" area, in the city of Natchitoches,La., which is near Shreveport, La. Braxton grew up in the segregated south under the practices of the 'Jim Crow' Laws. Because, of these practices-it limited him to not have access to any early educational exposure. During his childhood the emphasis was on working in the Cotton Fields, Hay Felds, gathering pecans, and any other type of farming duties. His father had only a 10th grade education. However, his father was able to help him learn some basic information such as, how to read, write, and to do simple math. When Braxton finally got the chance to start school in the first grade-he was nearly 9 years old. So, as a results of that dry period, not having the opportunity to have an early education, he possesed a thirst and hunger to learn. As he reflects now; he recalls how he exerienced an enormity of racial prejudices and conflicts,and how he was compelled to grapple with the manacles of the chains of discrimination. But Braxton, shares these words: "it was not in spite of; but because of; the enormity of conflicts, challenges and the late start to school, that propelled me to be determined and resolved to reach and obtain a high level of achievement. There was certainly doubt, despair, and hopelessness abound. However, due to my faith, passion and fire-in-the-belly. I was able to overcome and survive the ordeal. He worked diliently in class and doing home work assignments and achieved a crowning accomplishment of being # 2 in his graduating class and gave the H.S. speech as Salutatorian of his senior class.

Today, he is a Former Corporate COO & CEO of both small business enterprises and Not-For-Profit Organizations, and Former Sr. Pastor of a multi-cultural/multi-denominational church. In addition, he is consummate business consultant, freelance writer, ordained minister and published author of non-fiction books.

During 2010 and 2012 Braxton joined the staff of Lawndale Christian Legal Center. In this leadership capacity he matriculated as Lead Coordinator for the legal center and as Program Jobs Manager in a Mentoring Plus initiative (M+J) & collaborative partnership for young people within 15-21 years of age.. The collaborative consisted of The Illinois Violence Prevention Authority (IVPA), Neighborhood Recovery Initiative (NRI), Sinai Community Institute,(SCI) The Better Boys Foundation (BBF)and Governor's Office of the State of Illinois and the Lawndale Christian Legal Center (LCLC). The goals and objectives of the Mentoring Plus Jobs Initiative was teaching young people how to "strive & survive" in a toxic environment in the community. This was done through the advent of reducing violence, crime, drug and gang activity in the larger community. During the tenure-of-leadership many miles stones achievement were experienced. Braxton proclaimed that, "I count it a real blessing to have come along side these young people to advise, teach, coach and mentor them-which help them to dig deeper and discover hidden gifts and talents that allow the propensity for them to reach their full potential in life. Through the art and process of encouragement, motivation and the pursuit of positive self-esteem. The young people were able to embrace and comprehend genuine and useful benefits put in their way. Such as, new awareness, wisdom and fore-knowledge that cause them to be propelled to aspire to reach and touch the ultimate "Zest of Life". All while in the midst of striving and surviving toxic encounters of violence, crime and gang activity".

Specal honors >"who's Who, Consultant & Business Executive-The Biltmore Company-NYC >"Who's Who"-Among African Americans, 12th Edition >Who's Who", International Bsiness directory >The White House Conference on Small Business-The Clinton Administration >"Lay Leader & Clergy commission honor"-The International Council of Community Centers & Churches USA & Canada-An afiliate of the National Council of Churches Education: Attended: Grambling State Univ Wayne State univ Windsor univ, BS, Business Admin 1974 Loyola Univ Institute of Pastoral Studies-Small Groups Dimensions Mc Cormick Theological Seminary, Post Graduate Study-Theolgt/Peaching Northern Seminary, lombard, IL-Collaborative w/Lawndale Community Church M-Div (est comp 2013)