“We do this by connecting the next generation of youth to Christ Jesus, who is the source of life, through education, community service, and personal development, empowering them to grow in faith, serve others, and live out their purpose with confidence.”
We create a nurturing atmosphere where students can thrive—spiritually, academically, and socially. Through mentorship, tutoring, and dynamic activities, students are empowered to discover their full potential. At our core: character, integrity, and transformation.
The Movement began in 2006 at East St. John High School with a mission to help students move forward in every area of life. Today, we meet weekly on middle and high school campuses across the Tri-Parish area.
Through small-group mentorship, personalized support, and active service projects, students experience deep personal growth and community transformation. We are committed to developing well-rounded, purpose-driven young leaders.
Our educational development includes academic coaching, peer tutoring, and engaging STEM and arts events. We host college and career readiness workshops, promote mental health and wellness, and provide training in digital literacy and online safety. Our Empowered Choices series helps students navigate identity, relationships, and purpose with confidence.
We also invest in community development through outreach to senior living communities, neighborhood and campus beautification efforts, and partnerships with hospitals and clinics. Our Community Care Days bring people together to serve, and our mobile food pantries and nutrition events ensure families have access to healthy essentials.
To encourage personal and leadership growth, we offer peer-led Growth Circles, one-on-one mentorship, and life coaching. Students can dive into leadership intensives, explore faith and purpose in guided groups, and follow tracks focused on mental wellness and empowerment.
Ashton Cage is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and now resides in New Orleans, Louisiana. He has dedicated over a decade to serving others through ministry, education, and community development. As a pastor, teacher, entrepreneur, and mentor, Ashton’s life’s work centers on empowering people to discover their purpose, cultivate their gifts, and build stronger families and communities through a foundation of faith, integrity, and action. For over a decade, Ashton has faithfully served youth, young adults, and families through his pastoral roles at a local church in the St. John Parish area.
As the founder of The Movement, a non-profit organization that equips students and parents in educational, personal, and spiritual development. His commitment to raising up the next generation includes organizing and hosting conferences, workshops, retreats, and leadership seminars that address real-life issues . From character building and leadership to mental health, family support, and discovering individual gifts. Beyond his ministry work, Ashton is an experienced educator with the Jefferson Parish School System, where he teaches Business in the Career Technology Education Department. He also instructs high school students in college credit courses through a partnership with Delgado Community College, which focuses on customer service and management within the hospitality industry. Through practical teaching, mentorship, and real-world skill development, he prepares students to step confidently into their futures.
Ashton holds, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Leadership and Management from Liberty University. He is currently completing his Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Liberty University to expand his reach in serving individuals, families, and communities with excellence and care. Through The Movement and his broader consulting work, Ashton has helped launch and support non-profits, small businesses, and community initiatives that focus on leadership, team building, vision casting, and strategic planning. Whether mentoring young leaders, coaching entrepreneurs, developing youth programs in schools, or leading community outreach for underserved populations, Ashton’s mission is clear: to live a life poured out so that others may rise up to their fullest potential.
With a heart for people of every background, Ashton believes lasting change happens from the inside out when individuals encounter purpose, healing, and hope through genuine relationship and practical support. His vision is to see communities, schools, cities, and nations transformed by the power of unity, service, and faith in action. Every step of his journey is anchored in a simple but powerful conviction: “Live a life poured out.”
Since 2012, Chrissy Carter Cifuentes has faithfully served as Vice President of The Movement, helping lead the vision to see every student in southeastern Louisiana walk boldly in their purpose and become who they were created to be. A native of St. John Parish, Chrissy first stepped into the spotlight through years of theater and drama, nurturing the confidence and creativity that she now passes on to students across the region. She later went on to represent her community as a St. John Parish beauty queen, using her platform to inspire and uplift others.
Chrissy holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication and Media Studies from Southeastern Louisiana University and currently serves as Marketing Manager at Jesse Duplantis Ministries. She also impacts the next generation as a teacher at Riverside Academy and an Account Executive at WGNO ABC26. Her diverse experience spanning event planning, team building, marketing strategy, broadcasting, and social media reflects her heart for connecting with people and creating opportunities for growth. Rooted in New Orleans, Chrissy’s passion and dedication have touched countless lives throughout southeastern Louisiana. Through The Movement, she continues to lead with vision, character, and integrity, helping students discover their full potential and walk confidently in faith, service, and purpose.
With over 12 years of experience in education, LaShara Allen-Smith is a dedicated and compassionate educator who has specialized in working with students in alternative settings, including those with emotional and mental health challenges, as well as students supported through Section 504 and Special Education services. She holds a Master’s degree in Autism, which has further deepened her expertise in neurodiversity and individualized support strategies. LaShara has served in multiple leadership roles throughout her career, leading initiatives in behavioral intervention, trauma-informed practices, and inclusive education. Her work is grounded in the belief that every student deserves to be seen, supported, and empowered regardless of their background or challenges.
A proud mother and entrepreneur, LaShara is the founder of Diverse Directions, a nonprofit organization that advocates for underserved youth and families, and the owner of Diverse Designs LLC, a creative and designing business offering design services and solutions. Through both ventures, she continues to champion equity, representation, and access within education and the broader community. Balancing her roles as an educator, leader, mother, and business owner, she continues to bring vision, heart, and unwavering dedication to everything she does. Her mission is to break down barriers, build inclusive communities, and help all students discover their full potential.
Gladys Mouton is a passionate advocate and scholar-practitioner at the intersection of education, special education law, and behavior analysis.
As an assistant principal and autism advocate, she has led initiatives supporting inclusive practices, family engagement, and equitable access to services for neurodivergent learners.
With a deep commitment to systemic reform, Gladys has dedicated her career to empowering marginalized families and improving outcomes for students and their communities.
Anyla Tobias is a multi-dimensional student leader and creative with years of experience organizing within both school and community spaces. Her leadership journey began in high school through roles that centered advocacy, mental wellness, and youth empowerment work that laid the foundation for the impact she continues to make today.
Now a sophomore in college, Anyla leads the Pan-African Student Alliance (P-ASA), one of the most culturally significant student organizations on campus. Under her leadership, P-ASA serves as a hub for Black students at a PWI amplifying identity, creating space for difficult dialogue, and fostering unity across the diaspora. Alongside this, she serves as cheer Co-captain, contributes to student media production through Major News Network, and is actively involved in the Black Girl Project (empowering young Black women) all while holding a seat on the nonprofit team as its youngest member.
Anyla is not just balancing roles she’s setting precedent. As the youngest person doing this level of work in both her college and nonprofit spaces, her influence is visible, respected, and rooted in real output. Whether she’s planning community gatherings, creating content around healing and identity, or leading with calm confidence in high-pressure spaces, she brings intentionality, structure, and sharp vision to every space she enters. Anyla moves with impact, and that impact is both felt and seen.
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Mrs. Hinton is a devoted wife, mother of three, grandmother of four, former college educator, prayer warrior, mentor, devoted friend, and newly published author, whose greatest joy is rooted in faith, family, and friends. Her passion is standing in faith with those in need.
Her book We the People is a heartfelt effort to reach many—especially today’s youth— by teaching them their identity and authority in Christ, how to love one another through adversity, and how to recognize the deceptive strategies of Satan, in order to walk fully in God’s purpose for their lives.
Her heart’s mission is for the next generation—our legacies—to encourage, equip, and uplift others with the truth of God’s word.
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Terrance Hinton is a scholar-practitioner in criminal justice, public policy, and administration. Formerly as a professor and researcher, he led prison education and workforce development programs, supporting thousands of justice-impacted individuals through reentry. Now contributing to violence prevention efforts, as Assistant Director for the Office of Violence Prevention for the City of Columbus, Dr. Hinton continues to advance community safety through education, community initiatives, and systemic reform.
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A native of St. John Parish, Nathan Villa has been in banking for over 25 years. Nathan has a heart for sharing about Jesus and making His name famous and a heart for helping teach financial literacy classes. Nathan and his wife co-authored a book together, The Gift of One, a Biblical guide to living on one family income. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Ministry degree from International College of Ministry and an Associate Degree in Ministry from MTI School of Ministry.
In his role as a board director, Nathan will also handle the organization’s finances and lead efforts to teach financial literacy and financial counseling to students and families. In addition, he is dedicated to supporting couples and families through marriage counseling and guidance. He spends his spare time hanging with his wife and three teenagers! Author of :
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Hannah Carter holds a Bachelor’s degree in education from Southeastern Louisiana University. She has been a professional educator in various capacities for more than 15 years. She has taught in the St. Tammany Parish public school system, owned a business as a private tutor, and developed a prominent homeschool campus on the Northshore while serving as both a tutor and the campus director.
While working in education, Hannah served alongside her husband in local youth ministry for more than 12 years. She is passionate to see the children and youth of America become strong adults who walk in wisdom, integrity, character, and most importantly faith in Christ.
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Christopher Davis is a dedicated healthcare provider, pastor, and community leader who brings over a decade of medical and ministry experience to The Movement’s Board of Directors. A South Louisiana native, Chris grew up in LaPlace and later settled on the Northshore with his wife Amber, where they are raising their four children — Isabella, Asher, Ezra, and Olivia.
Chris holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Our Lady of the Lake College and a Master’s degree in Family Practice from Herzing University. As a Family Nurse Practitioner, he founded Franklinton Family Medicine — a trusted community clinic committed to providing comprehensive, compassionate care for families in Franklinton and the surrounding region. Through his practice, Chris serves patients of all ages with a heart for listening, educating, and meeting both physical and mental health needs with excellence.
In addition to his medical work, Chris pastors House of Acts, a church devoted to living out the spirit of the early church through discipleship, community, and radical generosity. Inspired by Acts 2:42–47, he is passionate about equipping believers to walk in their God-given purpose, build generational legacy, and impact their communities with love and unity.
Whether serving patients, guiding his congregation, or partnering with The Movement, Chris is driven by a deep desire to see individuals and families thrive — body, mind, and spirit. His vision aligns with The Movement’s mission to develop strong leaders, healthy families, and transformed communities built on faith, integrity, and hope for generations to come.
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Antonio Nieves is a native of Lafourche Parish with a heart for leadership, family, and community transformation. For over 20 years, Antonio has served in the oil and gas industry, where he currently works as an Operations Manager at Service Specialists, LLC. In this executive leadership role, he oversees skilled craftsmen, supervisors, and support personnel, ensuring safe, efficient operations while fostering a culture of excellence and teamwork on every project.
Beyond his professional work, Antonio has dedicated more than a decade to pastoring, coaching, and equipping men, youth, and families in his community. He is the founder of
I Am Revolution and co-founder of Cultivate Leaders, two nonprofit organizations focused on encouraging, engaging, equipping, and establishing healthy leaders. Through retreats, seminars, conferences, and small groups, Antonio creates spaces where real relationships are built and people are empowered to fulfill their purpose.
Antonio is also a devoted husband to Casey Nieves and a loving father to Caleb, Micah, Judah, and Justice. Whether Coaching on the court or Field, guiding his church family, or mentoring the next generation of leaders, Antonio’s mission is rooted in faith, integrity, and service to see people grow strong in character, community, and calling.
