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Empowering young kings and queens by providing guidance and knowledge is what the Victorious Youth Mentor Organization is all about.

Led by the husband and wife team Don Jr. and Latoya Holloway, the nonprofit organization’s mission is to mentor, educate and empower the community youth while giving them the blueprint to be victorious citizens. The goal is to make a positive impact that changes lives.

Victorious Youth has an upcoming Armor Up aimed at giving youth ammunition to prepare for adulthood, Latoya Holloway said.

“Armor Up, it’s like preparing for war but this is something to prepare them for adulthood,” Latoya Holloway said.

The May 2 event is set from 9 a.m. to noon at Memorial High School and features business owners and entrepreneurs in various fields, as well as some music and a comedian to lighten the mood.

A special presentation will be made from the Memorial High School drumline and Step Show from Omega Psi Phi.

For more information on the organization or how youth ages 7 to 18 can join, go to victoriousyouthpa.org.

How it began

Don Holloway Jr. is a Port Arthur native and 2006 graduate of Memorial High School. He went on to earn a 4-year football scholarship and bachelor of science in therapeutic recreation from Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge.

According to his bio, he participated in a national pro day hosted by the NFL with hopes of being drafted but that was not God’s plan. He also tried out for the Indoor Football League but that too was not the path for him.

He later expanded his education and worked in special education and physical education. In 2015 became part of the Cleveland Independent School District coaching staff.

Along the way he realized he could use his skills from football to “inspire and mentor the youth as well as mentally and physically prepare them for the trials of life” and with that, Victorious Youth was born in 2014.

Latoya Holloway is a Houston native and class of 2006 graduate of Thurgood Marshall High School who went on to earn a 4-year volleyball scholarship and a bachelor of science in accounting from Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge.

Latoya was valedictorian of Southern University’s fall 2010 class.

She worked in the corporate world with companies such as ExxonMobil, Halliburton and Chevron, as well as financial analyst for Chevron, c-leader of the Black Employee Network Community Engagement Committee and more.

She is the owner of Luxxe Looks by LaToya Hair Studio where she provides a variety of hair and braiding services for clients of all ages, according to her bio.

What do they do?

Victorious Youth has a kings program for boys and queens program for girls. They meet on a monthly basis, and Port Arthur meetings are hosted at New Jerusalem Baptist Church, the West Side Center or the Port Arthur Public Library.

Victorious Youth has hosted financial literacy workshops for youth with plans for more in the future. Other events have included a session “Creating a positive support system: Building a path to success,” a vision board party, and a seminar on how to build a garden.

May 11 will be the 3^rd Annual Life Blueprint Scholarship Gala to be held at Texas Artist Museum to honor graduating seniors and members for their accomplishments.

The upcoming May 2 Armor Up event will allow the students a chance to experience what a Historically Black College or University homecoming is like.

Amber Lucas, who is founder and executive director of Linda’s Lighthouse, said she likes the work Victorious Youth does and is impressed with their mentoring of youth.

Lucas, whose organization provides school supplies and scholarships for students, created the organization in memory of her late mother, Linda Griffin-Lucas.

She said she admires the way Victorious Youth builds the youth up and in the way they attract youth.