We recently connected with Lionel Irving and have shared our conversation below.
Lionel , thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with us today. We’re excited to dive into your story and your work, but first let’s start with a broader topic that might be stopping many of our readers from pursuing their dreams – haters, nay-sayers, etc. How have you managed to persist despite haters and nay-sayers that inevitably follow folks who are doing something unique, special or off the beaten path?
My life has been a journey of overcoming challenges. I didn’t just wake up one day and decide to become a community leader; I had to endure hardships first. There was a time when a felony conviction meant being shut out from most opportunities. People viewed it as a life sentence, not just legally but in how they perceived you. But now? It has become my source of credibility. I often say I earned a doctorate in what not to do. I made poor choices and learned from them, and now I share those lessons to help others avoid the same pitfalls.
The cycle of violence is real, and I’ve witnessed how young men get ensnared in it before they even recognize what’s happening. That’s why I do this work. I’m here to break those cycles and create pathways for at-risk youth to become productive citizens. It’s challenging, but I understand what’s at stake. These young men need guidance, mentorship, and someone who truly understands the streets while knowing the way out. I stand in that gap because I’ve lived it, and I know that there is another way.
Throughout my journey, I’ve encountered my share of doubters. But I embrace the criticism. My mom always told me, “If you don’t have haters, you’re not doing something right.” And she was right. Every time someone doubts me or questions whether I can truly create change, it only fuels my determination. Some people like to write us off, believing that once you’ve made bad decisions, you can’t turn your life around. But I stand firm in my truth, and I persist because this work isn’t about me—it’s about them. I refuse to let the streets claim another generation. The naysayers only reaffirm that I’m making an impact, and that’s precisely what I am here to do.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
My life’s work is about breaking cycles and creating opportunities where none existed before. I am the founder of Love Is Stronger, a movement dedicated to disrupting the pipeline of violence that has trapped too many underserved youth in a system designed to count them out. My mission is deeply personal—I’ve walked the same streets, faced the same challenges, and made the bad decisions that so many of these young men are making today. But I turned my pain into purpose, and now I stand in the gap to show them there is another way.
What makes this work so powerful is that it’s built on lived experience. I don’t just talk about change—I embody it. I understand the mindset of these young men because I’ve been where they are. But I also know what’s possible when someone steps in, believes in you, and provides real opportunities to turn things around. Through mentorship, intervention, and community engagement, Love Is Stronger provides that bridge. We don’t just tell at-risk youth to leave the streets; we give them the tools, support, and resources to build something better.
One of the most exciting things on the horizon is our expansion into more direct peer-to-peer intervention programs, creating employment and educational pathways for at-risk youth. We are working to strengthen partnerships that provide not just guidance but tangible opportunities—because telling someone to change without giving them a real way out is just empty talk. We are also planning community events that bring together leaders, families, and young people to foster understanding, connection, and healing.
What I want people to know about Love Is Stronger is that this isn’t just a program—it’s a movement. It’s about rewriting the narrative for at-risk youth in our communities and proving that transformation is possible. It’s about standing up, standing strong, and refusing to let violence define our future. This work is hard, and it’s not always pretty, but every life we reach, every young person who chooses a different path, is proof that we are making a difference. That’s why I do this. That’s why I won’t stop.
“Saving One Life is like Saving Ten Thousand Lives” – Lionel Irving
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, three qualities have been most impactful in my journey: resilience, emotional intelligence, and leadership. These weren’t things I was naturally born with—they were developed through experience, hardship, and a relentless commitment to growth.
Resilience is what kept me going when everything around me suggested I should give up. There were moments when I felt like my past would always define me, when the weight of my bad decisions seemed too heavy to overcome. But I learned that resilience isn’t about avoiding struggle—it’s about facing it head-on and refusing to let it break you. For anyone early in their journey, my advice is simple: embrace the setbacks. Every challenge you overcome is building you into the person you’re meant to be.
Emotional intelligence is another skill that changed everything for me. In the streets, reacting on impulse can be the difference between life and death. But true power comes from understanding your emotions, controlling your responses, and recognizing the emotions of others. Learning to navigate difficult situations with clarity and purpose allowed me to transition from the life I was living to the life I was meant to lead. If you want to develop this skill, start by listening more than you speak. Learn to read the energy in a room. Don’t react—respond. The more control you have over yourself, the more control you have over your future.
Leadership is the foundation of everything I do now. But leadership isn’t about having a title—it’s about influence, about showing up consistently, and about inspiring others to believe in a better path. I had to learn that leadership starts with accountability. If you want to lead others, you have to first lead yourself. That means making decisions with integrity, setting the standard, and being willing to do the hard work before you ask anyone else to follow. For those early in their journey, start by leading in small ways—be reliable, keep your word, and show up for others even when it’s not convenient. Leadership isn’t about perfection; it’s about persistence.
These three qualities—resilience, emotional intelligence, and leadership—didn’t come easy, but they’ve shaped me into the person I am today. And the truth is, anyone can develop them. It takes commitment, self-awareness, and the willingness to keep going even when the road gets tough. Because at the end of the day, the only way you lose is if you quit.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
At Love Is Stronger, we are passionately dedicated to breaking the relentless cycles of violence and instilling a spirit of positive change within our community. We believe that, collectively, we can create a significant impact, and to that end, we are actively seeking partnerships with individuals and organizations who share our heartfelt vision. Collaboration is at the core of our mission, and we eagerly invite those who are committed to implementing transformative solutions for at-risk youth and communities affected by violence.
We are particularly keen on collaborating with:
**Community Leaders and Mentors:** Influential individuals who can provide insightful guidance, share their valuable experiences, and serve as inspiring role models for young individuals navigating challenging circumstances.
**Educational Institutions and Educators:** Schools, colleges, and passionate educators who are willing to contribute educational resources, engaging workshops, or comprehensive training programs aimed at equipping our youth with essential life skills, fostering both personal and academic growth.
**Mental Health Professionals:** Compassionate therapists and counselors who can help address the deep-seated trauma and promote emotional well-being among those impacted by violence, ensuring they have the support necessary to heal and thrive.
**Local Businesses and Employers:** Employers who recognize the importance of community reintegration by offering job opportunities, internships, or apprenticeships, helping individuals transition back into society and providing them with a pathway to a stable and fulfilling future.
**Nonprofit Organizations:** Like-minded groups with missions that resonate with our goals, open to collaborative initiatives, resource sharing, or joint outreach programs that enhance the impact we can have together.
**Private Funders and Philanthropic Organizations:** Generous individuals and foundations eager to make a substantial difference by providing financial support that directly contributes to vital intervention, educational, and prevention efforts.
**Government Agencies:** Committees dedicated to violence prevention, youth intervention, and public safety, which can offer essential resources, funding, or policy backing to bolster our programs and ensure their effectiveness.
**Rotary Clubs and Civic Organizations:** Local service clubs and community groups devoted to impactful service projects, mentorship opportunities, and funding initiatives that align with our mission to empower those in need.
If you are passionate about fostering positive change and believe in the power of collaboration to create safer, more supportive communities, we would be thrilled to connect with you. Please reach out to us at info@loveisstrongergv.org to explore the exciting possibilities for partnership and discover how we can work together to enhance our shared efforts.
By uniting our strengths, we can harness the profound power of solidarity and vividly illustrate that, indeed, love is stronger than violence.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.loveisstrongergv.org/about-us
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loveisstrongergv/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loveisstrongergvprogram/ https://www.facebook.com/moe.irving.5
- Linkedin: Lionel Irving
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@loveisstrongergv
Image Credits
image credits
Love is Stronger GV
GetLikeMe Productions
Lionjevity
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