Men & Women of Promise

Men and Women of Promise Conferences expose students to a different way of life through a one-day corporate experience with professionals who listen and help cast a vision for their lives.

The Vision

In 2014, LaMarque Ward, CEO, of Dream Builders University, had the vision to expose young men to a day of mentoring, character development, vision setting and goal setting while building them up to realize their full potential.
The goal was for the students to attend a conference where they would leave inspired, giving them life and professional experiences that can shift their life trajectories by changing their path thus shifting their habits and disciplines allowing them to achieve goals and connect with role models to help them develop their VISION, DISCIPLINE, and CHARACTER.

The Launch

LaMarque shared that vision with Marty Carter, the former Vice President of Strategic Development at Prasco Laboratories, a pharmaceutical company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, and a high school basketball coach. LaMarque and Marty then brought the vision to Prasco Laboratories and the Arington Foundation.

LaMarque’s vision was launched when the first Men of Promise Conference was held in 2015 in Cincinnati, OH. The Men of Promise Conference became an annual event at Prasco for five years. In 2019, LaMarque and Marty took the Conference on the road to Charlotte, NC, where they expanded the Men of Promise Conference to include the first Women of Promise Conference.

Due to Covid, no conferences were held during 2020-21. But, in 2022, Men of Promise relaunched with 250 young men in Salt Lake City at the Zions Bancorporation Technology Center.

Men of Promise Conference Cincy 2025

Women of Promise Conference Cincy 2025

The Conference

2026 Utah Men and Women of Promise Conference

Men and Women of Promise Conferences expose students to a different way of life through a one-day corporate experience with professionals who listen and help cast a vision for their lives. Our founder, LaMarqué Ward Sr., believes you can’t build what you can’t see. We are asking young people to work for something most people can’t imagine. With this conference, the entire experience is essential: the bus ride to the facility, the speakers, and the professionals who volunteer to facilitate small groups.

Salt Lake City

Location: Zions Bank Technology Center
Dates: February 9, 2026, and February 10, 2026
Time:9:30 am – 1 pm

Deja Brown

Mistress of Ceremony for the Women of Promise

A proud alumna of North Carolina A&T State University, she earned her undergraduate degree in Multimedia Journalism and later received her master’s degree in Communications from Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. Originally from New Orleans, Deja has built a nearly decade-long career that includes anchor roles in Missouri, New Orleans, and Utah. Most recently, she served as a weekday morning anchor and traffic reporter at KSL-TV, the NBC affiliate in Salt Lake City. A proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, Deja is known for her warm presence, confident delivery, and commitment to excellence both on and off camera.

Women of Promise Utah Conference Speakers

Dr. Sidni L. Shorter

President & CEO, Utah Black Chamber of Commerce

Dr. Sidni L. Shorter is a nationally recognized leader in economic development, nonprofit strategy, and equity-centered community transformation. As President and CEO of the Utah Black Chamber of Commerce, she has led the Chamber through record-breaking growth, including a 275% increase in membership and a 516% rise in contributions, and most recently guided the Chamber to be ranked among the top three Black Chambers of Commerce in the nation by the U.S. Black Chambers of Commerce. She launched signature initiatives such as the Utah Black Wealth Conference and the Financial Capacity Program, expanding access to education, capital, and entrepreneurial support for underserved communities.
Under her leadership, 100% of Chamber members who partnered with UBC on SBA loan applications were approved, demonstrating her commitment to economic empowerment and capital access.
She is the former owner and CEO of ExecuteNow!, a finance and accounting firm that supported small businesses, nonprofits, and national clients such as Girl Scouts of America, NeighborWorks® America, and Dow Chemical.

Morgan Williams Brown

Founder & CEO of Blendyd Studios Inc.

Morgan Williams Brown is Founder & CEO of Blendyd Studios Inc., an award-winning software development firm revolutionizing driver hiring in the $940B trucking industry. From published genomics researcher, to science teacher, to merchandising analyst, and national education reinvention leader, Morgan’s career has been grounded in disrupting conventional troupes and leading complex business transformations. In addition to her work as a philanthropist, speaker, author, and positions on the SLC Chamber Board of Governors, Utah Trucking Association Board of Directors, Utah Black Chamber Small Business Committee, and co-chair of the Cameron Russell Williams Impact Alliance, Morgan holds a Bachelor of Arts from Spelman College (2010), Master of Educational Leadership from University of St. Thomas-Houston (2013), and Master of Business Creation from the University of Utah (2023).

Men of Promise Utah Conference Speakers

LaMarqué D. Ward Sr., M.Ed.

Founder & President

LaMarque’ D. Ward, Sr. founded Deam Builders University in 2015 to educate young men and women about leadership skills. Since then, DBU has been a leader in providing professional development services for schools. LaMarqué’s educational expertise has served him well as an entrepreneur, educator, speaker, and author.

James Jackson III

Co-founder of Capaciti Co

James Jackson III is a strategist, author, and community builder committed to helping leaders and organizations live and lead with purpose. As the founder of J3 Consulting, he partners with companies, nonprofits, and educational institutions to design strategies that unlock growth, strengthen leadership, and build inclusive ecosystems where people and businesses can thrive.

Shawn Newall

Retired Vice President

Shawn is the retired Vice President of Business Development at Industrial Supply Company where he worked for 37 years. He serves as a community integrator. Formally serving as the vice president of the Salt Lake Branch of the NAACP, a former Commissioner on the Governor’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Human Rights Commission and is co-chair of the Utah Black Round Table.

Utah Women of Promise Facilitator Registration

Registration Form

Utah Men of Promise Facilitator Registration

Registration Form

What are they saying

Success is a process.

– Henry

Don’t be a victim be a victor and keep trying your best.

– Kekoa

To not be a victim and to be the leader of myself.

– Xavier

Everything starts with you. Use your resources to achieve your goals. Failure is not final.

– Johan

That everyone has the ability to choose what happens in your life.

– Isaac

That it don’t matter where starting point it’s all about the grind you put and no excuses.

– Nuku

If you want to move fast go alone but if you want to get far go as a group.

– Joris

Photo Gallery

Our Sponsors

After The Conference

Inspirational planner/journal
Monthly group follow-up at school
Quarterly MOP/WOP inspiring broadcast
School District can have further options

Men of Promise Pledge

I Promise to value my education above all else
I Promise to serve others before myself
I Promise to take ownership of my future with my disciplines today
I Promise to be resilient during tough times and never give way
I Promise to live by faith and past the test
I Promise to be the best example I can and lead the rest
I Promise! I Promise! I Promise