Maurice Shield-Youth Motivational Speaker

WHO IS MO?

Maurice Shield grew up in South Central Los Angeles, California in a single parent household. He started speaking at church events and school plays early as 9 years old. His passion for speaking was fueled from the pain he endured from watching unstable family structure in his community. Maurice shares his vivid stories of growing up in South Central Los Angeles in a single parent household and watching drugs, gang violence, incarceration and the lack of motivation destroy families in his community; including his own family. But it wasn’t until a terrible car accident on New Year Day that nearly took his life at 17 years old; that changed his entire outlook on life. This tragic event helped him realize that God had a plan for his life and it was to `motivate’ people.

Despite many setbacks, Maurice managed to complete his Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from California State University, Long Beach and a Master Degree in Education (Guidance and Counseling) from American Public University. Maurice has 20 years of experience working directly with foster care (Group Homes / Placement Facilities) and Probation Youth in Los Angeles County. Maurice is also the Founder and Executive Director of Youth 1st Community Outreach, Inc.; which was established in March 2005 to help motivate and empower youth through Mentor services who are at risk of Educational Failure, Teen Pregnancy, Truancy and Juvenile Delinquency. In 2017, he launched Shield & Associates (SA); a Speaking, Media and Consulting Company.

“My purpose is to empower the youth to be a new improved version of their parents. I had to grow up fast due to my environment at home and in the streets. It’s hard to stay self-motivated when your environment is filled with everything to make you fail. Often times our Youth are Mis-Understood.This creates a disconnection and makes it hard to reach our youth”. My messages to a youth struggling to be heard is……I understand……now let’s fix the problem and accomplish the impossible. I understand so much that I want allow you to quit youngster”