About Us: History

 About Us: History 

In July 2011, Strong Mind-Strong Body, Inc. was established at the University of Maine with a mission to provide an elite sports program for families who could not afford costly summer sports camps. The program's founder and former University of Maine football player, Roosevelt Boone, gained experience as a counselor for the university's summer programs and as a volunteer for the Black Bear Mentor Program and teaching field experience in the Kinesiology and Physical Education Program. Through these experiences, Boone observed that the prevalence of low-income and obese youth in central Maine was just as severe, if not worse than in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area where he grew up. He also noticed that these at-risk and obese youth often miss out on the opportunity to participate in elite summer programs due to financial constraints, leading them to engage in at-risk behaviors during the summer months.

As a former student-athlete, Boone believes that successful adults should regularly interact with successful individuals, which is often lacking in lower socioeconomic neighborhoods, where SMSB, Inc. focuses its efforts. For this reason, the organization employs student-athletes as program instructors. These young adults are skilled in physical activity, disciplined students, motivated ambassadors of their hometowns and universities, and serve as positive role models for the children they mentor.

Since the organization's founding in 2011, Boone's desire to work with underprivileged youth has only grown stronger. In December 2012, the Principal of Presec Staff School in Ghana, West Africa, invited Boone to represent SMSB, Inc. internationally after learning about the program's impact on the central Maine community.
The Mother/Son Duo

Alice Boone, the Executive Director of SMSB, Inc., has played a crucial role in the organization's success. Her unwavering support of Roosevelt's vision has been instrumental in bringing their unique wellness and nutrition programs to youth both in the United States and abroad.

Together, Alice and Roosevelt have served over 2000 participants through their various programs, including youth wellness and nutrition programs, mental health webinars, community outreach initiatives, and life skills coaching seminars. Their dedication and passion have made a significant impact on the lives of those they serve.

If you are interested in getting involved with our organization or learning more about our programs, please do not hesitate to contact us. We would be delighted to discuss how you can support our mission and help us make a difference in the lives of vulnerable individuals.

Who We Are

Strong Mind- Strong Body, Inc. has been dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable individuals since its inception in 2011. Our organization is committed to providing aid where it is needed most.

Over the past decade, we have had the privilege of serving over 2000 individuals in the Washington metropolitan area, northeast corridor of the United States, and West Africa through our various programs. These programs include our summer youth programs, mental health webinars, community outreach initiatives, and job readiness training.

Our track record spanning ten years is a testament to our ability to provide meaningful support to vulnerable populations both domestically and abroad. We remain steadfast in our commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of those we serve.

Award Winning

In 2012, Boone was awarded the Maine Campus Compact Philanthropy | Innovation |Learning | Leadership| Action | Responsibility | Service (PILLARS) Award for his efforts in Maine. 

Expert Team

Strong Mind - Strong Body, Inc.'s projects are lead by Subject Matter Experts on topics to include wellness & nutrition, child development, poverty,   joblessness, gang relations and recidivism. We make sure you and your family have the most experienced professionals working for you. 

Quality Guaranteed

We rely heavily on community and grant funding to financially support our programs. With that being said, your feedback helps us improve and critique programming.  

Meet Our Team


Our Board of Directors is comprised of a distinguished group of educators, retired federal government employees and Sr. level professionals.

Roosevelt Boone

Co-founder and Program Director



Roosevelt Boone brings over 10 years of teaching and coaching experience to SMSB, Inc., where he has served as the organization’s Co-founder/Program Director since its inception in 2011. He currently serves in a Dean of Students capacity at Bowdoin College. Over the past decade, Roosevelt and his mother Alice, the organization’s Executive Director, have spearheaded community development projects encompassing summer youth programs, mental health webinars, community outreach programs, and job readiness trainings.


Boone’s belief that people are products of their environment is what fosters motivation for all SMSB, Inc. initiatives. As an undergraduate at the University of Maine, Roosevelt lettered 4 years as a running back for the football team. He continued his education at the University of Maine, earning his Master of Education in Kinesiology and Master of Science in Human Development before joining the college football coaching ranks. He most recently served as the Director of Player Engagement for the Rutgers University Football Program where he oversaw a comprehensive personal, professional, and leadership development program, Life Beyond the Game.

Alice Boone

Cofounder and Executive Director

Alice Boone brings 42 years of Federal Government administrative experience and organizational awareness to the 501(c) (3), where she has served as the non-profit’s Co-founder/ Executive Director, stemming from inception, December 2010. A mother of four, Boone has always put wellness and nutrition at the forefront of her family’s lifestyle. Her vision with contributing to the organization’s programming focuses on wellness and nutrition with a minor focus on positive family dynamics. Executive Boone’s focus with building stronger families’ stems back to her upbringing in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. 


As Boone approaches retirement, she offers direct insight into the world of “Institutional Knowledge” by way of her weekly blog post shared through Govloop, The Knowledge Network for Government Employees, were Executive Boone, a Featured Contributor, shares her best practices that she has rolled up into her personal corporate “toolbelt. 

William Brown

Treasurer

 William H. Brown is a Managing member of the Center for Institutional Finance, and retired Budget and Management Analyst for the Department of Veterans Affairs. 


William has served as Treasurer for the Colorado League of Charter Schools, as Chairman of the Standing Audit Committee, State of Colorado Republican Party; as Vice Chairman, State of Illinois National Black Republican Council. He was named one of the 100 most prominent African-American Republicans in America in 1989. 


Nana-Ama Kyeremeh

International Outreach Coordinator

Nana-Ama Kyeremeh (Che-re-meh) also known as Denise, is a serial entrepreneur, event producer and writer. She is passionate about creating experiences geared towards the diaspora and youth. Denise has also been part of the planning committees for companies such as the Essence Festival and FealessCon. 


Nana has a virtual assistant agency which provides administrative support to small businesses and public figures. Her background enables her to identify factors that promote the success of working relationships, with particular attention to how personality affects outcome. Her clientele includes the likes of Google, JP Morgan, Essence, Forbes, and more. 

Ed Homer

President

Ed Homer serves as History Teacher and Head Football Coach at the Christchurch School in Saluda, VA. Homer brings over 30 years of teaching/coaching experience to the SM-SB, Inc. Organization, where he has served as the organization's President since the program's inception in 2011.


Homer is a graduate of Middlebury College in Middlebury, VT where he earned his Bachelors of Arts (B.A.) in Political Science and Government. Homer was an offensive lineman at Middlebury College from 1982 - 1986.

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