About Role Model Academy – Our Story & Impact
At Role Model Academy, we believe every young person has the potential to lead, thrive, and become a role model in their community. Our mission is to empower individuals through mentorship, personal development, and life coaching — building lasting change from the inside out.
We’re more than a program. We’re a movement.
Our Mission & Unique Model
At Role Model Academy, our mission is to empower individuals and communities to achieve lasting prosperity. We believe in nurturing opportunities for growth, wellness, and connection. Through inspirational programs and resources, we strive to uplift and strengthen our communities—paving the way toward a brighter and more prosperous future for all.
We are committed to educating our youth through mentorship and life coaching, focusing on personal development and leadership. Our work is grounded in values such as integrity, empathy, perseverance, and inclusion.
Our Vision To build a generation of empowered individuals who actively contribute to the well-being of their communities and inspire others to rise.
Core Values
Empowerment: We help individuals discover their inner strength and potential.
Mentorship: We believe in the power of guidance and shared experience.
Integrity: We act with honesty and responsibility in all our efforts.
Growth: We foster personal, academic, and professional development.
Community: We work collectively to uplift one another.
Meet the Founders & Team
Ron
Daniels
Ron Daniels is the founder of Role Model Academy, where he serves as the executive director and spiritual mentor, dedicated to guiding and uplifting the youth and underprivileged communities. Deeply rooted in his faith, Ron is passionate about sharing the biblical truths and teachings of GOD, aiming to inspire and empower those around him.
Music has been an integral part of Ron’s life since the tender age of five. He began his musical journey by singing in his family church choir, where he developed a love for music and performance. As he grew older, Ron expanded his musical talents, eventually becoming a recording artist. His career has seen him share the stage with both local and national celebrity recording artist, showcasing his vocal talent and musical versatility.
Through his work with Role Model Academy and his music, Ron Daniels continues to make a profound impact on the lives of others, combining his faith, passion for music, and commitment to community service.
RAFAEL CARMONA
Rafael Carmona holds the position as board member at Role Model Academy, where he works as a youth mentor and community relations coordinator. Passionate about sports coaching and giving back to the community, Rafael brings 10 years of experience in youth sports coaching.
With a background in Business Administration, Rafael has been instrumental in kids sports in Metairie and Kenner, volunteering and coaching sports in the Jefferson Parish Community. Before joining Role Model Academy, Rafael founded Nola Sports Center, focusing on child development programs, youth and adult leagues, group fitness and more. He has held numerous community engagement events at Nola Sports Center.
Outside of community relations coordinator, Rafael enjoys coaching his kids in sports, giving back to the community by hosting fundraisers and spending time with family. He is committed to providing youth mentorship, bringing the community together always striving to make a meaningful impact in the Jefferson Parish Community.
Larissa Ballard
Larissa Ballard is a cofounder of Role Model Academy, where she serves as the Communication Director and a youth mentor. With a deep commitment to community empowerment, Larissa channels her passion for music and engineering to inspire and guide the next generation.
In addition to her work at Role Model Academy, Larissa brings over 10 years of experience in environmental engineering. Throughout her career, she has worked on various projects aimed addressing environmental challenges in remediation and maintaining environmental compliance with state and federal regulations. Her engineering background has equipped her with a strong problem-solving mindset, which she applies to both her professional and mentoring roles.
Growing up immersed in music, Larissa also honed her skills through years of singing in choir and performing in both band and piano. She believes in the power of the arts and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) to create positive change, and uses her unique blend of expertise to foster personal growth and community development. Whether through her work in engineering or her mentoring at Role Model Academy, Larissa is driven by a desire to make a lasting impact.