PRESS RELEASE: 

Greetings:    

I’m reaching out to share exciting news with you! The vision of CEO Tony Mason of Mastone Music/TMMI is evolving. We are announcing the launch of the Ambassador Project International! The Ambassador Project is a 501(c)3 accredited non-profit initiative created to inspire and encourage young men from diverse backgrounds; who are currently residing in “ father absent homes”.  The “Ambassador Project” was founded and designed with a “two fold purpose”; The first is to help build self-worth/healthy self-image, and the second is to help develop musical gifts and talents for those who feel they would like to pursue music in their lives. 

The term “father absent home” has sadly been the norm in many underserved communities; particularly communities of color and low income neighborhoods. On a personal note, I was fortunate to have my father in our home as a child, but only until age 15. After that, I too became the child of a father absent home. I wasn't aware of the impact it would have on my life until the day I realized that I no longer had my father’s presence, advice, and guidance. Even at age 15 I needed my father’s presence; more than ever. While reflecting on that time of my life and remembering how it felt without his presence, I began to imagine the level of impact fatherlessness has on a young man who never had a father at home; or worse, those who never knew their father at all. It was this that spawned the desire to help others overcome the feeling of rejection and abandonment that comes with father absent children. Thus, the vision and potential for The Ambassador Project Int'l began to take shape in my mind. 

Why the name “Ambassador Project”? The word “ambassador” means “to represent” or one who is a representative by high appointment. The word “Project” denotes “a work in progress.” The building of something. In this case the building of a life and development of a culture that speaks to life and hope in those who may be missing that from a father. When one is an ambassador they are sent to represent the organization that appointed them. They are to be a total embodiment of the appointing entity. They represent the appointing company in the highest manner, and with the full autonomy. 

The Ambassador Project Int'l fully believes that each child has God given gifts and talents which lead to their assignment and purpose. During the years of discovering who they are and what they are gifted to do, we believe that each child needs high levels of affirmation, self-love and self-esteem to function in this current culture. More specifically, that which that can come from the guidance and leadership of a father. Not to diminish the love and nurturing of mothers, we endeavor to assist those parenting father absent homes. All children need their fathers or a father figure. This helps in their overall development. We want to help ensure that the male child has some of the principles they will need in their development. We also believe that your God given gifts will make room for you and that we use our gifts and talents to serve each other with good will. We will accomplish our goals with the following two approaches:

 First:                                                                                    

The first phase of the mission will be that “API” will help develop and cultivate personal worth and healthy esteem for children and youth in difficult economic conditions, as well as those from single parent homes. When there is economic lack, statistics show that these conditions weigh heavily on a child’s self-worth. So in its initial stages, the foundation looks to focus on young men that have no male role model in the home to help them learn self-esteem and life principles. In recent years, the onslaught of social media interaction is largely based on outward appearance. Online bullying and bullying in general is largely based on appearance and status. We believe that if males have healthy esteem and self-image, it would help improve their lives and the lives of those they may eventually father or lead. 

We plan to use the simple concept of “personal grooming and wardrobing” as a means to help engage and open the door to the view of self-worth. We realize that there is tremendous pressure placed on image and looking good in this current culture. With bullying and body-shaming on the rise, API wants to help provide grooming kits and tips for age appropriate young males to help them learn proper grooming and self-care. We believe that a healthy self-image can begin to derail the likelihood of poor self-image/self-worth that statistically leads to crime, lack of positive motivation, lack of desire for education, poverty, and future broken relationships. If we can help build the heart and mind of the male, much would improve in their world and society. (please see the attached statistical examples.) 

We want to first, concentrate on young males as we believe that grooming from a fathers perspective is important to them and will initiate the need for affirming them. This will offer help with things like learning to tie a necktie, or learning how to shave, maintaining proper skincare, proper hygiene, and much more. We will call the introductory course “how to become a SWAG Ambassador”. This part will help enhance their outer man. While doing so, we will also provide life principles that will help affirm them in areas where a father would place value on who they are. We want them to know that they are important to the world and that they are worth it! We will reinforce the thought that you are no accident and you’re here for a reason.                                                               

We believe it’s more important to know who you are than what you are. Having the proper perspective brings proper balance to a male in their developmental years. We will have demonstrations/sessions that teach grooming and give life lessons. Each participant will receive personal grooming kits for age appropriate participants. 

Second:                                                                                                                                      We wholeheartedly believe in the importance of music and its ability to help in the development of humanity. Research has demonstrated that music has many benefits in the development of the human soul. For instance research proves that children and youth who participate in music education have better math scores and better overall academic scores. Also, they demonstrate a greater degree of self-regulating positive behavior, including punctuality, follow through and completing tasks. They also have a higher propensity to participate in groups and have less absenteeism in school and other activities.  

With all of the benefits of music in the development of children and youth, we realize that owning or using a musical instrument can be difficult to a home that is economically challenged. Therefore it is our goal to provide musical instruments (beginning with acoustic guitars) to those from economically challenged homes and provide training to those wanting to pursue music as a part of their education. The initial course will be called “The Ambassador’s Lab-1 introductory guitar course”. The API would like to partner with active music organizations who help develop music talents in school aged children with hopes of opening our own music school/academy. 

The instruments (guitars) we provide will be available for each music ambassador to use as they participate. If they stay the course, they may have the opportunity to own the instrument outright as an incentive to learn and grow.                                      We endeavor to use the same concept for each participant which includes the building up of their self-image and affirmation of their worth and value.