Hustlepreneur is a free youth mentoring, leadership, and entrepreneurship program that equips young people ages 15-20 with practical tools to build confidence, strengthen resilience, explore careers, and turn vision into action. Through hands-on experiences in entrepreneurship and culinary arts, students develop skills in financial literacy, public speaking, leadership, self-awareness, career readiness, and business development while connecting with mentors and industry professionals. Designed to serve justice-involved and at-risk youth as well as young people already thriving and seeking greater opportunities, Hustlepreneur creates a space where every participant can dream bigger, discover possibilities, and prepare for a stronger future. At Hayiya, Inc., Hustlepreneur works in tandem with the INfluence Leadership Institute to develop young people who are prepared to learn, lead, create, build, and serve.

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The H.E.M. initiative, created by Chef Jeff Henderson and implemented through the PEN OR PENCIL Affiliate Network, is sponsored by the National Alliance of Faith and Justice and the 400 Years of African American History Commission. The program is supported by principal investigator Dr. Kideste M. Yusef, associate dean of research and associate professor of criminal justice at Bethune-Cookman University.

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Henderson, known nationally from Oprah’s Life Class, Good Morning America, The Today Show, CNN, and The Steve Harvey Show, brings his personal story of transformation from incarceration to culinary success as a living example of resilience and redemption. Led by credible messengers and trained professionals, the H.E.M. program empowers justice-involved and at-risk youth ages 15–21 through entrepreneurship, hands-on culinary training, career exploration, and personal development.