Beyond the Books Academy was founded by Ebony Williams, a passionate mother, mentor, and entrepreneur who saw a major gap in the way youth are being prepared for the real world. After years of witnessing how traditional education overlooks the most important life skills, Ebony knew something had to change. Schools teach students how to pass tests, follow instructions, and work for someone else — but rarely do they teach how to lead, how to build, or how to heal.
Beyond the Books Academy is the answer to that missing piece.
It’s a safe space where youth and families learn the things that truly matter — the things that build character, confidence, and legacy.
We focus on what isn’t in textbooks:
How to manage money, build credit, and start a business
How to understand emotions, navigate mental health, and practice holistic self-care
How to recognize your own power, develop self-awareness, and lead with purpose
How to break generational cycles and build generational wealth
How to cultivate self-love, emotional intelligence, accountability, and confidence from within
We believe access to real-world mentorship should be available to all — no matter your background. That’s why Beyond the Books Academy offers both nonprofit and for-profit mentorship services:
Our nonprofit mentorship programs provide free or sponsored access to underserved youth who need guidance the most. These include our 12-Month Youth Success Program, Community Impact Classes, Youth Entrepreneurship Labs, and workshops on financial literacy, mental wellness, and more. Donors and sponsors help us ensure that no child is left behind due to financial barriers.
For families, teens, and adults seeking personalized mentorship, we offer one-on-one coaching sessions, small group intensives, and custom mentorship packages. These sessions are ideal for young entrepreneurs, parents building family legacies, or anyone seeking to grow in business, self-awareness, and leadership. Topics are tailored to individual goals and may include personal credit, business development, branding, mental health support, and accountability coaching.
We’re not just here to prepare students for jobs.
We’re here to prepare them for life — emotionally, mentally, financially, and spiritually.
Beyond the Books Academy is about changing mindsets, healing households, and building legacies that will last for generations. Whether it’s a young teen learning how to manage their emotions for the first time, or a parent discovering how to create a trust and pass down wealth — our mission is to educate, empower, and elevate every step of the way.
This isn’t just a program.
It’s a movement.
And we’re just getting started
