Connect
To Top

Meet JeJuan Stewart of E.A.G.L.E. 7 in Stone Mountain-Snellville

Avatar photo

Today we’d like to introduce you to JeJuan Stewart.

JeJuan, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Empowering All to Give Lead & Excel, (EAGLE 7) was originally going to be a ministry of my late husband and me.  After his sudden death in 2006, I was shaken to my core. During that time, I chose to hold on to the primary principles and core beliefs which anchored us as a couple – my faith and family. I remember asking God, “What did it [EAGLE 7] look like from his vantage point.” When I realized the mantel of EAGLE 7 was given to me to develop as a business to cultivate servant-leadership through the ‘Power of One’, I faced my fears with faith and trusted God to guide me in the process.  I believe in the impact of the Power of One; that it only takes one person to make a difference.  I choose to make a difference by providing support to parents, encouraging students, and engaging communities.  It was November 2011, when my journey as the visionary-CEO of EAGLE 7, LLC began with a community event to empower parents and students with resources to secure college scholarships.  

Today EAGLE 7 LLC includes two subsidiaries,  JeJuan.co which provides services to engaged parents and EAGLE 7 Consulting a resource for innovative community solutions.   As the CEO and lead consultant, I enjoy connecting-the-dots in my community. Whether it is serving under-represented parents or aligning organizations to increase their impact, I remain committed to cultivating relationships through servant-leadership by the Power of One.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Little did I realize before starting this journey as an entrepreneur, one needs to develop a healthy sense of self-worth and boundaries. Two major hurdles I had to overcome regarding my business were underestimating my worth and not trusting my instincts.  For me, someone with no formal training, there were many times I felt (and still feel at times) overwhelmed. Then add to that, the loss of my sounding board (ie, my husband), I was not sure how to approach creating a business. 

BUILDING CONNECTIONS
Although I had a lot to overcome, one thing I knew for sure, and that was my calling. I knew if I stayed on the course and walked with humility, passion and persistence God would give me wisdom to put the pieces of this puzzle together. Within six months following his death, I was honored to represent my husband on the Red Cross Diversity Board, where he had served as a founding member. I also joined the Atlanta Black Chambers organization.  I served on a variety of local foundations and school advisory boards.  Finally, I was led to participate in two community engagement programs (he also participated in both), 1) United Way VIP Program and 2) Gwinnett Neighborhood Leadership Program.  Each of those experiences gave clarity to my vision and connected me with individuals who continue to encourage me. 

OVERCOMING SETBACKS
Over the years, I have had many doors closed in my face literally and figuratively. As a grassroots small business, it is even harder to get an audience with large corporate investors or partners. As a result, I have learned the value of relationship capital. Fortunately, I have had support from many individuals as volunteers, private donors, and even small business owners.  Some have provided services, a word of encouragement, or sponsored me for opportunities to enhance my efficiency.  

Of the many relationships I have had the privilege of cultivating over the years, it is the ones with my children that have stretched and encouraged me the most. Their support helped to balance me with fresh insight and critical eye.  They have seen me grow from a place of service in the background to one of servant-leader as a social entrepreneur. As I tell parents and students, I know for a fact, your network is absolutely your net worth.

We’d love to hear more about E.A.G.L.E. 7 LLC.
EAGLE 7 LLC has become the umbrella which connects all services to support the vision of Empowering All to Give Lead & Excel – by Embracing the Power of One.  

My company is committed to empowering the entire family. The family is the glue of the community. By ensuring the support of parents, students are positioned to thrive, which strengthens communities. Next, I focus on promoting servant-leadership. It is my aim to create positive change agents locally, whose impact will be felt globally.

JeJuan.co

Currently, I am focused on JeJuan.co – The parent engagement side of EAGLE 7 LLC.  This is where I support engaged parents by connecting them to resources for their students through coaching and empowerment. I have created a platform for parent engagement called PEP Talks.  A PEP Talk is a Parent Engagement Pop-up. It takes place once a month virtually. PEP Talks provide information and resources to the ‘EmpoweredParent Community’. 

As a parent coach (advocate), I place emphasis on equipping and engaging parents with the needed tools to support their students in the STEAMM (Science, Technology, Education & Math) fields.  Connecting-the-dots for parents to empowering opportunities for their students is a service I enjoy providing to my clients.  By recalling how I would drive my children across the city to find unique opportunities for exposure to help them develop as leaders, I know the challenges educational inequities can bring to families. Through my journey as an empowered parent, I have learned how to bring solutions to those who need it most – underserved families. 

I do this by creating pipelines for underrepresented parents to gain access for their children to find their spark and connect parents to resources.  I believe if you inspire parents, the parents will influence their students, and the family will impact the community.  Some of the pipelines my clients have access to include TED-Ed Club Student Talks, NSBE Jr., Gavel Masters, POSSE Atlanta, Mentoring In Medicine, CDEP and more. I have created community engagement opportunities like SOAR Summit – ShareOpportunties.AccessResources and Youth Empowered to Serve Gala.  

Providing a unique service for a parent population brings me the most joy. It is critical not to underestimate the importance of both empowering parents and supporting their student’s success when addressing educational inequities in local communities. 

What were you like growing up?
As the oldest of four children, I was given responsibility early. According to my siblings, I could be bossy at times.  For the most part, I was shy, quiet, and a reclusive.  If I were to describe myself, I would say introvert. I did not like a lot of attention.  I did not like confrontation. I was generally optimistic.  In school, I was the child that said hi to everyone. It did not matter to me if they said hi back or not.  I was made fun of for a lot of different reasons.  But I found my outlet through my love of school, music, and reading.  I played the violin in elementary school and sang in elementary, middle and high school chorus. 

IMPACT OF MY PARENTS

My father was in the military (Marines) and my mother was an educator. I grew up in a loving home. However, due to the required movement of the military, it was hard to make friends.  I was usually the only child of color in my school for many years.  As the first black student at my elementary school, I remember my father escorting me to my elementary school dressed in his formal Marine Corps attire. 

My parents provided opportunities for exposure for me throughout my years in school.  From taking violin lessons, to allowing me to make my own decision to ride my bike to a school outside of my neighborhood. (I was tired of being the only black in the school!) I was able to try new things.  I remember begging my parents for permission to get a job and make my own money! I think I was about twelve years old at the time.  They made me wait a couple of years, but then gave in.  I loved cooking. I became very good at baking, especially cakes and pies. I remember watching my grandmother every holiday and helping her in the kitchen. I use her recipes to this day. 

With encouragement from my mom, I applied to and attended the University of Miami, whose minority population at the time was less than 1 percent. Because of my journey as the only minority student in most of my elementary, middle school years, I adjusted without much of an issue.  At the University of Miami, I majored in Chemistry and Sociology. I was a minority in a minority.  In college, I was involved.   I served as the President of United Black Students and was a student representative on the College Lecture Series board. I volunteered and worked as a counselor with Upward Bound during the summer. I was adventurous, near the end of my time in college, I embarked on a summer experience of selling books door to door with Southwestern Book Company. It was there where I met my husband on the book field.  When I attended Emory University to receive my Masters’ degree in anesthesiology, I was again the only minority student in my class. 

Pricing:

  • Empowered Parent Subscription – Spring Special – $75 Parent Coach Session  
  • (includes one hour of consulting) is available for a limited time. Limited to 25 
  • Individual and Group Coaching sessions are available by appoint only. 
  • JeJuan.co |
  • Parent Coach&Advocate || Inspire Parents. Influence Students. Impact Communities

Contact Info:

Suggest a story: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.

Related Items

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More in