Beyond The Bio, is a series of stories introducing the 2024 Honorees for MAN UP Mentoring, Inc’s Second Triennial Fundraising Gala, An Evening at the Cotton Club on Saturday evening, September 21st at the Grand Bohemian Hotel Orlando. Come celebrate a decade of impact with us.
BY JATIKA HUDSON, GUEST WRITER TO THE TIMES
ORLANDO – Fifty-seven years of marriage has laid the groundwork for the legacy of ministry built by Emeritus Pastor Dr. Dennis Ross, Jr. and his wife Jacquelyn.
More than eight years ago, while leading Operation ReachBack (ORB) Orlando, a youth mentoring organization, dedicated to successfully impacting the lives of black male youth ages 8 – 18, they were introduced to Chris and Samantha Wallace, the brother and sister duo and founders of MAN UP Mentoring, Inc. It seems they were destined to cross paths.
When Mrs. Ross, the former Executive Director of ORB Orlando speaks of MAN UP, a sense of admiration lingers in her voice as she expressed how she’s witnessed the love poured into the youth of MAN UP. As a mother and grandmother, she knows firsthand that displaying compassion, leading with love, and stern guidance are required to help shape these boys into men that will one day lead families, communities, businesses and much more.
Mrs. Ross remembers inviting Chris Wallace to ORB’s annual father and son gala and how he thoroughly enjoyed seeing the relationships flourish in the room. From then on, he had an open invitation and would bring his male mentees and mentors from MAN UP to share in the rites of passage experience. Wallace’s inclusion of the mentees demonstrated his dedication to their spiritual, intellectual and emotional growth.
“They literally take those kids under their wings,” the retired educator and missionary went on to say, “What they have done to impact this world, is pour into those kids the way they were raised, their family values are evident. MAN UP is such a family atmosphere, even having dinner with their mentees after each session. They have exposed their mentees to rich life experiences introducing them to a better version of themselves.”
With a heart for bringing others to Christ and helping them grow spiritually in life, Pastor Ross recently retired from the Lawrenceville Seventh Day Adventist Church. As his calendar has opened up, he realizes his ministry will continue to nourish souls by welcoming the opportunity to mentor young pastors, helping them navigate new challenges, that are yesterday’s memories for him.
In addition to mentoring young pastors, Pastor Ross, also mentors’ young fathers. He recognizes that many young men today who are now dads didn’t have father-figures in their lives, creating a vicious cycle that allows them to do the same for their children, especially their sons. That was largely the reason for creating ORB and their reason for championing the mission and vision of MAN UP.
“ORB is such a part of what I do, in terms of spreading the gospel, it’s demonstrating Christ’s love and trying to get people to understand the fact that it’s more than just birthing somebody into the world, it’s showing up daily for your children and living out love daily,” Pastor Ross shared.
Being honored by the organization they admire holds a special place for the couple who’s dedicated their lives to serving and bringing others closer to God. Mrs. Ross says, “My dream for MAN UP is that they become self-sustaining,” she said.
“It is our prayer for them to receive recurring givers so that their time will be spent, not in raising funds, but in the assurance of having the resources needed to extend their programming farther to impact the lives of more kids, and to actually be able to hire a professionally trained staff,” they shared.
The Ross’ are so proud that MAN UP is celebrating a decade of impact, but they know in order for MAN UP to expand, they need dedicated individuals to come along-side them so they can plant this unique program in other neighborhoods and cities across the nation.”
In essence, our interview can be summed up in one statement: He has anointed me to be hope for the poor, healing for the brokenhearted, and new eyes for the blind, and to preach to prisoners, you are set free! Luke 4:18.
ABOUT MAN UP MENTORING, INC., – MAN UP Mentoring, Inc. is a community-based non-profit 501c (3) charity organization primarily serving at-risk youth ages 11 through completion of high school or the equivalent across Metro Orlando, with a focus on delinquency prevention and intervention by providing social, educational, and mentoring services. Established in 2014 by Orlando natives, brother and sister duo Christopher and Samantha Wallace. Currently, it is managed by an Executive Director, contractors and a full-time staff of volunteers. It is overseen by a Board of Directors with more than 150 years of law enforcement and civilian experience, as well as advisors from the Orange County Public School System and social services.
