Won't God Do It? Dr. A & Wes Hall on Faith, Youth Leadership

In this episode of Won't God Do It? Dr. Anita Turner opens with Matthew 5:14 and welcomes educator, author, and nonprofit CEO Wes Hall. Hall — founder of the National Young Men of Color Leadership Institute Initiative Foundation and organizer of Las Vegas’s largest girls’ conference — shares how divine moments and purpose shaped his life and work. His resume includes community honors (a White House invitation, LA Clippers Community Heroes Award, and a Presidential Award from UNLV), several children’s books, and a new release, The Academic Equivalency Handbook, slated for December 1, 2023.

Testimony and a call to see the whole child — seeds vs. weeds

Hall recounts his own conversion at age 13 in Aunt Bertha’s church and explains how faith matured through choir, Scripture, and lived experiences. He speaks passionately about the need for parents, educators, and communities to look beyond trauma-driven behaviors—the “weeds”—and nurture each child’s “seed” of genius. His message underscores that education must educe: draw forth gifts, not merely correct symptoms. This framework informs Hall’s leadership with young people and his approach to mentorship.

The Young Women’s Leadership Conference — empowerment in action

Hall describes the October 14 conference at UNLV that brought 400 girls from Clark County together with powerful women leaders: Mayor Pamela Goins-Brown, UNLV President Dr. Keith Whitfield, WNBA executive Danielle “Danny” Fontenot, Captain Tammy Benz, and community partners like the Freedom to Breathe Foundation and MGM/Caesars. Sponsors provided resources and a surprise Focus Award initiative: 20 girls each received $500 based on engagement and focus during workshops like “Unleashing Your Gifts.” The conference offered exposure to university life, professional role models, and practical mentorship.

Next steps: Transformer Girls, books, and invitation

Hall outlines follow-up plans for the 20 awardees—Zoom sessions with parents, mentorship by conference panelists, community projects, and peer-to-peer leadership designed to “transform” campuses and neighborhoods. He previews two upcoming books (The Academic Equivalency Handbook and Jack and the Sly Fox) that translate education into economic opportunity and map a path to discovering gifts. The episode closes with a pastoral reminder to pray for mercy and to steward gifts for God’s glory — an invitation to watch the full conversation for the full testimony, ceremony highlights, and practical steps to get involved. Won’t God do it? Every time.