Meet Justyn Iman Roy | Executive Director of Laces To Bows Inc., Author of Pretty Girl With Purpose interactive workbook, youth mentor, community leader

We had the good fortune of connecting with Justyn Iman Roy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Justyn Iman, putting aside the decision to work for yourself, what other decisions were critical to your success?
The single most important decision I have made that has contributed to my success would def. have to be communicating effectively and clearly at all times. Being a woman owned business its the most important thing you can do for your business. I’m a social emotional gal so it’s important that I myself “walk it like I talk it” showing is wayyy better than telling…I meN really what do you remember more of what you were shown? Or told?

You get it? Lol

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Justyn Iman Executive Director of Laces To Bows Inc. Author of Pretty Girl With Purpose Interactive Workbook, Creator Of Pretty Girl With Purpose
Social-Emotional and Literacy Development Curriculum
Laces to Bows is an unconventional organization that creatively focuses on topics that most organizations, non-profits and schools neglect. We promote and support creative expression of the unique experiences that girls encounter and foster ways to channel their energy toward a positive impact on themselves and their communities. We focus on multi-dimensional areas, ensuring we address topics affecting the mind, body, and spirit. Our organization starts at the formative years of a girl’s life, and through mentoring and coaching, teaches life skills and prepares them for living productive and successfully independent lives. We bridge the gap between areas that can be neglected at home and school. Laces to Bows is truly committed to breaking the cycle and barriers of poverty that continue to impact our target areas.
Our mission is to educate our target audience with seminars, workshops, and programs focused on education, personal health and safety, personal accountability, skill development and positive self-esteem. We believe we can make an impact – one girl at a time. We’ve been featured in Black Enterprise, The Washington Informer, and on Good Morning Washington as a valuable and positive resource in our community.
Laces To Bows Inc. prides itself on “Teaching Girls The Proper Way To Lace And Tie The Bows Of Their Lives Together”. Our Organization serves to empower youth with the

necessary framework to build a strong and steady foundation for a self-sufficient life. Our Target Areas:
• Mentoring
• Workforce Development • Tutoring
• Scholarships for schools • Life skills workshops
Justyn Iman 27 years of age born and raised in Washington, D.C. on December 17, 1994. A mentor, author, motivational speaker, dreamer, thinker, visionary and independent native Washingtonian with a special heart for the emotional health and well-being of our young girls. Since the tender age of 17, I have taken all my trials and tribulations and created the blueprint for my signature program, Laces to Bows, Inc. Every day since I have worked hard and dedicated every free moment to mentoring others and developing my platform. As a teenager I suffered through enough challenging moments including battling low self-esteem, molestation, homelessness, abandonment and looking for love in all the wrong places to understand the challenges that face our young girls today. Instead of using hardship as an excuse to be defeated, I decided to use it as motivation and turn it into a way to give back to my community.
Laces To Bows Inc. was founded in 2014
In my first year I lost two cars, received 3 eviction notices on my first apartment and by the grace of god I didn’t get put out until the 6th letter. I held mentoring sessions in the back of my moms hair salon. I found out that two of my mentees mom lost her job and took what little money I had and sponsored their immediate family for the holidays by

paying the monthly bills for 4 months all while having mini “am I sure I want to do this” breakdowns every other week causing me to question my ART and MYSELF.
The Start Of Something New… In 2015
Laces to Bows INC. hosted a spa day and brunch in Baltimore Maryland, with special guest LOVE AND HIPHOP TV STAR and entrepreneur Yandy Smith serving over 150 students this was one of our first and biggest events yet.
Turning Up The Heat… In 2016
Laces To Bows Inc. received our official 501C3 status, I was able to make huge accomplishments that showed my trials I had to endure was a message for someone else. In partnership with Downtown Locker Room (DTLR) Laces
To Bows Inc. hosted a large back to school event which consisted
of 500+ girls and boys to get pampered, and receive school
supplies , free food, and special guest Big Flock this was actually
the last community event he did before being confined. Soon after
I received an invitation to New York to an open discussion lead by
Yandy Smith there I was able to connect with other amazing
women.
I Found Purpose In My Passion… In 2017
I was blessed with the opportunity to bring in the year of 2017 strong with a business meeting with Mr. Emory Jones at the ROC Nation headquarters. The conversation was so impactful that I left with my game

face on, the official logo design we have now, and the confidence boost I needed to continue the hard work in our community. Soon after landed a speaking engagement alongside Roc Nations A&R Rell Carter who is also JayZ nephew, Justin Stewart the producer of fox 5, and DJ Flexx of WPGC 95.5. In April of 2017 Laces To Bows Inc. first annual cupcake wars took place were we gave away $1,000 Cash and a contract to cater Shoe City shoe release events for the summer of 2017 to a Georgetown university student by the name of Angel Cheeks. Angel received a check for every release she catered. Please KEEP IN MIND this event is still around to this day! Our Cupcake War panelist have ranged form guest like Mr.Tony Lewis JR., Curious PO On WPGC, Council Member Trayon White, and More!
On behalf of the National Women’s History Month Award Show ’17 I was honored for all the great work that I do with the youth. In October of 2017 I
honored 12 women who are kicking cancers butt and that event landed me an exclusive page in the Washington informer newspaper, and we ended the year kicking off our first annual EXCLUSIVE overnight bootcamp. Providing pre teens
and teenage girls the opportunity to cooking and sewing classes, etiquette 101, and daily mentoring sessions covering confidence, determination, budgeting, and how to be a positive role model. During the camp Laces To Bows Inc. mentees had the opportunity to have lunch with Ms.Yolanda V. Cook with COO of Black Enterprise and all of the directors of Shoe City.
The Year Of Awareness… In 2018
April 8, 2018 we held our 2nd annual Cupcake Wars event. Released our documentary Empower. Inspire. Evolve. with the released being sponsored by BLACK ENTERPRISE MAGAZINE and hosted by 92.Q’s own Raven Paris.
https://m.imdb.com/video/vi411351065
This film made it to the consideration stage at the American Black Film Festival (ABFF), Laces To Bows Inc. was featured on Channel 8 news Goodmorning Washington segment, FOX 5 Good Day DC segment and in this year we are officially servicing over 300 plus Girls in the DMV area with mentorship.

The Year Of Pretty Girl With Purpose In 2019
This fall of 2019 Laces To Bows Inc. Mentees and I released our very first book, “Pretty Girl With Purpose” an interactive guide from Mentor to Mentee and launched Laces To Bows Inc. first book tour. This book and the tour were designed to empower, inspire and evolve every reader, young and older! Composed with activities, live diary entries, quotes, challenges and more! Pretty Girl With Purpose Book Channels 5 agreements
Loving Yourself Trusting Yourself Appreciating Yourself Learn To Take Nothing Personal Living A Life Of Impact
Laces To Bows Inc. released the social – emotional and literacy driven curriculum “Pretty Girl With Purpose Intensive Program” This program supports and is the follow-up to “Pretty Girl With Purpose” book. The target group for the program would be middle and high school after-school programs. The group will be a safe space where girls can learn about themselves and others. The program is designed for 9 weeks of instruction. Each week/unit will consist of 3 lessons that span a total of 27 days of interactive mentoring. The program includes units with detailed lesson plans as well as a culminating project to review and practice all program material. The unit topics expand on the 5 agreements in the book to include:

•
• Self: Self-Esteem, Self-Love, Self- Confidence
• Relationships: Building Relationships, Conflict Resolution, Family, Friends
• Leadership: Enhancing Leadership Qualities and Becoming a Leader
• Our Changing World: Peer Pressure, Accepting Differences
• Social Media: Safety, Cyber-Bullying and Communication
• Feminism: Defining Feminism, Role
Models
• Health: Healthy Habits, Personal Hygiene and Making Good Choices
The Future: Making a difference
BOOK SELLS
AMAZON – Frequently sold with Michelle Obama’s “BECOMING”. 2K COPIES SOLD LACES TO BOWS – 4K COPIES SOLD

Laces To Bows Inc. ended 2019 partnering with Nike and serving over 500 youth in WARD 7 with clothes, shoes coats and plenty of toys with the support of the community!
The Movement That Moves… In 2020
Laces To Bows Inc. has made the biggest break into the educational system, we sit with the board of education, legislative advisors snd even council members implementing this curriculum into every elementary, middle, and high school in the DMV.

In 2021, Laces To Bows Inc. Was granted an award from building blocks DC. We hosted a 7 week violence prevention program. Teaching youth about the ins and outs of violence, how we can effectively communicate through emotion, UNCONVENTIONAL ways to grieve, meditation, physical health, self defense, and lots of social emotional development work!

In may of 2022 Justyn Iman released a meditation e.p titled Mindset which released on all platforms (apple music, spotify, tidal, amazon music, etc.)

Mindset E. P is a high powered influential
Affirming mediation project. Mindset will strengthen connections. help everyone understand the importance of supporting one another, every listener will .learn new unconventional Ways to nurture the mind, body and spirit, and stay motivated and committed to oneself.

In June 2022
The premiere of the first film written and directed by Yoshi Entertainment LLC. “Mindset” which is also co-produced by Jay Media Group. Mindset Film is ONE highly charged short film with a collective of super charismatic, passionate, intrigue, ambition, power struggles and most importantly thought provoking stories. Set to TAKE OVER HOFFMAN AMC Theaters on June 4, 2022 as the perfect kick starter to a care free, and yet still a more MINDful summer.
It is commendable to note that Mindset Film was inspired by Mindset E.P.

All of Laces To Bows Inc. Mentees are apart of mindset film. Amazing right?!!

Seen On :
92.Q
Goodmorning Washington (ABC7) Good Day DC (FOX5) Spotlight Over The City DTLR Radio
American Black Film Festival

Nonprofit Business Sponsorships
Shoe City
Walmart
SAMS Club
Good360
Nike
Black Enterprise
Nurses R US
Justyn Time Hair Salon
Yoshi Events LLC.
Design Innovation Events LLC.
ABC Rentals
GIANT Food
Festival Center DC
BOYS & GIRLS Club of Greater Washington

Contact Information
Justyn Iman Roy
lacestobows@yahoo.com www.lacestobowsinc.org

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oooo exciting a week long trip with my good good girlfriend.

Ummm okay so monday we are soooo planning. Doing alot of plotting out personal goals and business goal, intense workout to start the week and yup we still going to happy hour after at trulucks! Lemon drop please!

Tuesday, its giving road trip until weds of course the hunt for the best thrifting experience ever!

Thursday ummm content day..i gotta work boo

Friday – saturday if you know you know

Sunday…i gotta be a mentor so you coming to volunteer thanks!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my sister Jada Roy she has inspired me in ways that not one person could imagine. Through her hard work and dedication to her education it has truly shown me how important commitment to something anything can be…it leads to you to a goal. Through her willingness to always extend a helping hand it continues to remind me of my own purpose and thats to uplift the youth through social and emotional development and helps me accept the process, the process that requires great commitment, a helping hand and the next lesson…patience… I thank you Jada for always striving to be better for yourself and others. You keep me inspired, you keep my mind and heart open to give and receive and thats a major key to being an amazing youth mentor! I love you!

Website: www.lacestobowsinc.org

Instagram: JustynIman

Facebook: Justyn Iman

Youtube: Laces To Bows Inc.

Image Credits
Yoshi Entertainment LLC.