CCHS Alumna LaDessa Lewis leads Men 2 Be in shaping the next generation

LaDessa Lewis, a 1996 Christian County High School graduate, never expected that her path would one day lead to her helping create Men 2 Be, a nonprofit empowering boys and young men in Hopkinsville.

Lewis says the discipline she learned in high school and the commitment to show up even when life got hard helped build the foundation she still stands on today.

After graduation, Lewis briefly attended community college before realizing her passion was elsewhere. She pursued cosmetology at Queen City Beauty College and has now spent nearly 28 years as a licensed beautician and salon owner. The work ethic and creativity she developed as an entrepreneur became the same qualities, she later poured into Men 2 Be.

The program’s inspiration began with her husband, who grew up without a father but was shaped by a strong village of family members. Seeing how powerful that support system was pushed Lewis to create a place where boys who lacked guidance could find mentorship, structure and encouragement.

Men 2 Be started small, teaching basic skills like tying ties, manners and simple life tasks. But as Lewis worked with more boys, she discovered deeper needs. The program expanded into areas like academic support, workforce development, social-emotional learning and confidence building.

The challenges were real, Lewis says some boys raised by single mothers struggled at first to accept direction from a male mentor. But Lewis says building trust, patience and consistency transformed those barriers into breakthroughs.

Lewis’ most meaningful moments come when graduates return to help the younger boys. They call her “Ms. Peaches,” thanking her for the lessons they didn’t understand at first, but value now. Men 2 Be has changed Lewis too, strengthening her faith and teaching her the importance of being grounded before pouring into others.

Today, her biggest dream is restoring the historic Attucks High School. With the community’s support, she says she hopes to restore the historic building into a place where youth can find recreation, career paths, life skills and safe opportunities beyond school. Attucks High School was built in 1916 and was Hopkinsville’s first public school for Black students.

For Lewis, Men 2 Be is not just a program, it’s a legacy meant to outlast her, shaping generations to come.