™
216-699-0807
1,000 TIES
WELCOMES YOU
Connecting Our Youth & the
Business Community,
One Tie at A Time
MISSION STATEMENT
1,000 Ties empowers youth and their families in high-poverty communities by teaching essential life skills that foster lifelong success. Through mentorship from community role models, young men ages 8-19 build the confidence to interview, network, and break cycles of generational poverty. By involving and empowering the family members who support these young men, we create a foundation for sustainable growth and shared achievement—beginning with the simple, impactful gesture of tying a tie.
VISION STATEMENT
To create thriving communities where empowered youth and families overcome barriers, break generational cycles of poverty, and build lasting success together.
1,000 TIES SUMMIT
Empowerment summit for young men ages 6-21 and their families. Youth & parents will attend workshops, meet potential mentors, have access to local resources, and recieve free ties that have been donated by the community.
COMMUNITY BASED MENTORING
PROGRAM
Mentorship program for young men ages 10-16 focusing on social and emotional etiquette and life skills. Youth participate in monthly life skills classes, community activities, and two community service projects per year. Students will be matched with a mentor!!
1,000 TIES
LIFE SKILLS PROGRAM
The 1,000 Ties program is open to youth of all genders, ages 10-21. Through life skills training and social and emotional etiquette, we equip participants with valuable communication skills to enhance their marketability and employability.
Our weekly sessions are available for booking at any school, supporting students in grades 6-12
VIRTUAL SESSIONS
Book for a group or individual
1000 Ties to Greatness- Literacy and Leadership Tour
We’re Taking the “1000 Ties to Greatness: Literacy and Leadership Tour” on the Road!
1000 Ties is now booking dates for our upcoming Literacy and Leadership Tour — a powerful experience designed to equip young men with the tools they need to lead with confidence, character, and purpose.
We’re proud to partner with school districts, youth organizations, and community leaders to bring this impactful event to cities across the country.
Let’s work together to build brighter futures — one tie, one young man, one city at a time.
Bring the 1000 Ties movement to your city.
To learn more or to book a tour stop, contact us at 1000Ties216@gmail.com
Contact us today for booking information
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Tie donations can be dropped off or sent to Lee-Harvard Public Library 16918 Harvard or
Memorial Nottingham Library 17109 Lakeshore Blvd in Cleveland, Ohio
CEO Spotlight: Jowan Smith – 2025 NEO Remarkable Award Winner & National Guest on The Jennifer Hudson Show
We are proud to celebrate our visionary founder and CEO, Jowan Smith, for being honored with the 2025 Northeast Ohio Remarkable Woman Award, recognizing her unwavering dedication to empowering youth and transforming communities through 1,000 Ties.
Jowan’s impact has now reached national audiences—she was recently featured as a guest on The Jennifer Hudson Show, where she shared the inspiring story behind 1,000 Ties and her continued mission to equip young men with life skills, mentorship, and leadership opportunities.
Her appearance brought national visibility to the vital work being done here in Northeast Ohio, spotlighting how grassroots efforts can create lasting change. We’re incredibly proud of her continued leadership and the recognition she’s receiving for turning challenges into change and passion into purpose.
CONTACT 1,000 TIES™
We are a 501c3 organization
216-699-0807
Jowan and the 1,000 Ties Life Skills Program has been the most impactful student engagement experience for our students this school year. Because of the experience, our students have demonstrated growth in the areas of social emotional well-being, academic learning and professional etiquette. This growth has been integral to the attendance success and graduation rates at all of our campuses. We are grateful, blessed and appreciative of Jowan's leadership and commitment to preparing our next generation of community professionals and leaders.