Purpose
Creating practical pathways for young people to rise beyond the challenges in front of them.
Founder & Visionary
Dr. Gary L. Davis Sr.
Founder and Visionary of Next Level Boys Academy and Empowerment Center.
The Vision
A Commitment to the Next Generation
Dr. Gary L. Davis Sr. founded Next Level Boys Academy and Empowerment Center with a clear purpose: to help boys and young men find the guidance, structure, and opportunity they deserve. The work is rooted in the belief that a consistent mentor and a supportive community can change the course of a life.
About the Founder/Visionary
A Beacon of Hope
In a nation where 1 in 3 young Black men will be incarcerated and/or suspended from school at some point in their lives, the work of Dr. Gary L. Davis Sr. and Next Level Boys Academy stands as a beacon of hope.
As Founder and Executive Director of this grass root mentoring organization, Davis has dedicated his life and career to providing mentorship and guidance for youth and young adult males who too often find themselves going down the wrong paths or ensnared by the criminal justice system.
Davis started this grassroots organization in 2009 and has mentored more than 3,000 young men and families through various programs within the organization. What began as a summer camp and after-school program for elementary-age males has evolved into one of the most innovative mentoring organizations in the nation. In addition to mentoring and running his nonprofit full-time, Davis is also a philanthropist and inspirational speaker. He has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career, including being featured in Ebony Magazine, receiving two proclamations, and earning Male Influencer of the Year. Next Level Boys Academy also received Nonprofit of the Year in 2018.
Davis is a husband and father who enjoys spending time with family. His hobbies are vacationing, watching sports, and hanging out by the nearest lake. Davis is a graduate of Troy University, where he also became a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Davis self-published his first book, "Raising Him Without Him," in 2015 and obtained an honorary doctorate degree in 2025.
Built for Impact
A Movement That Shows Up
What began as a commitment to the community has grown into a long-standing mission to support youth and young adult males across the Atlanta metro area.
Through prevention, intervention, and mentorship, Gary’s vision continues to create a place where young men can build confidence, make stronger choices, and see a future with real possibility.
The Leadership Behind the Work
Presence
Showing up consistently with guidance, accountability, and encouragement.
Community
Bringing mentors, families, volunteers, and partners together around young men.
Help Carry the Vision Forward
Join a community committed to helping young men grow, lead, and thrive.