Army Veteran and Educator Launches Boys-Focused Nonprofit, Expands Across the Midwest, Serving 1,000+ in Michigan, Illinois, and Minnesota

Photo courtesy of Warrior Academy | Russell Harris Jr.

With Nearly 20 School Sites Across Detroit, Chicago, and Minneapolis, Warrior Academy is Redefining What It Means to Support Young Men in the 21^st Century.

 DETROIT, MI — Warrior Academy, a rapidly growing youth development organization, has been silently reshaping the landscape of boys-focused programming across the Midwest. Now serving more than 1,000 boys annually across nearly 20 school sites in Michigan, Illinois, and Minnesota, Warrior Academy is emerging as a powerful model for equipping young men with the tools to shape their futures by choice, not circumstance.

Founded by educator, social entrepreneur,

Russell Harris, Jr., Warrior Academy was built on a simple but urgent belief: boys deserve intentional spaces to develop academically, emotionally, and socially.

“At Warrior Academy, we create safe space for young men to thrive and equip them for success so that decisions are not made for them — but by them,” said Harris Founder and CEO of Warrior Academy. “Too often, boys are navigating systems and life circumstances without the emotional tools, mentorship, and structure they need to lead their own lives. We are building the mindsets, skillsets, and habits that empower them to shape their futures by choice, not circumstance.”

What began in 2015 as “Morning Warrior,” a small mentorship and fitness initiative supporting boys before the school day began, has evolved into a comprehensive leadership development model spanning three states. Today, Warrior Academy partners with schools to deliver structured mentorship, academic reinforcement, paid peer mentorship opportunities, wellness retreats, and college readiness programming.

Demonstrated Impact Across Markets to Date:

• 1,000+ young people were served across all sites
• 95% of student participants felt they improved their leadership skills
• 100% of students felt more academically prepared
• 92% of students saw academic improvement in both ELA and Math
• 98% of students reduced their school absences, meaning they were present for learning more often.
• 87% had no disciplinary referrals

The organization continues to expand in:

• Michigan – 10 sites to date
• Minnesota – 2 sites to date
• Illinois – 6 sites to date

With nearly 20 locations across the region and additional expansion underway, Warrior Academy is responding to what Harris describes as a critical gap in youth development.

“There are countless programs designed to support girls, and that’s equally as important,” Harris added. “But boys deserve the same level of intentional investment. We’re teaching emotional regulation, accountability, leadership, and academic discipline. We’re creating spaces where young men can be seen, heard, and equipped to lead.”

Harris’ commitment to this work is deeply personal.

As a former high school principal, he witnessed firsthand how trauma, instability, and lack of emotional support could alter a young man’s trajectory. That experience became the catalyst for building Warrior Academy into what it is today: a multi-state movement committed to prevention, empowerment, and transformation.

Beyond Warrior Academy, Harris is a social entrepreneur and business leader who has launched ventures across education, construction, and technology, including LaSalle + Harris Group. He is also a retired U.S. Army chaplain, reinforcing his lifelong commitment to service and leadership.

As Warrior Academy continues its Midwest expansion, the organization is calling on community leaders, school districts, philanthropic partners, and corporate sponsors to continue investing in programming specifically tailored to boys and young men.

“This is not just about mentorship,” said Harris. “It’s about building leaders. It’s about strengthening families. It’s about ensuring that the next generation of young men are prepared to lead their lives intentionally with strength, clarity, and confidence.”

For more information about Warrior Academy or partnership opportunities, visit www.wearewarrioracademy.org.

About Warrior Academy

Warrior Academy is a multi-state youth development organization equipping boys and young men with the mindsets, skillsets, and habits to shape their futures by choice, not circumstance. Serving more than 1,000 boys annually across nearly 20 school sites in Michigan, Illinois, and Minnesota, Warrior Academy delivers structured mentorship, academic reinforcement, leadership development, wellness retreats, and paid peer mentorship opportunities. With measurable outcomes including 97% academic growth among participants and 98% reported increases in leadership capacity. Warrior Academy is emerging as a scalable model for boys-focused programming and a leading voice in the national conversation around, emotional wellness, and youth empowerment.