Author and Image Authority, Alex Ellis advances eleven-city tour Tied to Greatness; an image program designed to empower young men to make quality decisions regarding their personal image from the inside out.   Since the recent launch, over 800 teens have been captivated with a fresh vision of healthy image using the power of positive male role models, inspiring entertainment, and principle based instruction.  An additional 3000 teens are expected in upcoming cities.

The national movement has garnered the confirmation of several influential men who will assemble to share insight and personal testimonies on “Image & Greatness” in select cities.  Notables such as: Black Enterprise Magazine Editor-in-Chief, Alfred Edmonds; BET/CNN Correspondent and Social Activist Jeff Johnson; Artist Kenny Lattimore; Author and CNN’s Roland Martin, CFO of Bad Boy Entertainment Worldwide, Derek Ferguson; Hip Hop Icon, Frederick Brathwaite; The Cathedral International’s Bishop Donald Hilliard,  Kwame Jackson of NBC’s Apprentice; Pop Icon & Author Fonzworth Bentley; NFL Players Kerry Rhodes, Abram Elam, Keion Carpenter, Ovie Mughelli, & Ray Buchanan; Fashion Designer, Mychael Knight (Bravo TV’s Project Runway); Alpha Phi Alpha General President, Daryl Matthews, Multi-platinum artist Bobby Valentino, R&B Singer/Produce Teddy Riley, and many more.   These men will be joined by a mass of city male role models actively demonstrating their responsibility for this generation.

The day’s event will explode with contemporary Vaudevillian group, The James Gang. As well, Oprah Winfrey’s scholarship winner, Messiah will deliver a poignant Spoken Word expression through the voice of this generation.  Tied to Greatness Founder, Ellis will follow; delivering a stirring address from his award-winning book, Restoring the Male Image: A Look from the Inside Out.  The highlight of the event will be a momentous tie-tying ceremony.  Each man will personally teach a teen how to tie a tie; commemorating this rite of passage with a symbol of their manhood.  Retailers such as Men’s Wearhouse will donate fashionable ties for the student assembly and each young man will receive a sponsored copy of Ellis’ book.

Several years of mentoring, speaking, and image coaching have inspired Ellis to cultivate the birth of this initiative. “The character and integrity of a man should coincide with an impeccable outward appearance.  We are calling our men to sense the weight of responsibility and urgency for our nation’s young boys.  If we don’t teach them, they’ll be left to the misleading and often destructive influences of our society” states Ellis.  “We can’t afford to sit by and watch another generation deteriorate.  Mediocrity is not an option. Their greatness must be realized!”     

Tied to Greatness will continue tour stops in cities such as Baltimore, Charlotte, Dallas, Cleveland, Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit and Newark, NJ.  To find out how you can be involved in Tied to Greatness, please reach Hope Allen at livinghopeproductions@gmail.com and visit www.tiedtogreatness.com