Strategizing for Success, Empowering for Impact.
Leveraging my expertise in community development, organizational strategy, and motivational speaking, I help individuals and organizations achieve their full potential. By providing strategic guidance, practical support, and inspiring conversations, I empower teams to build consensus, drive innovation, and create lasting impact.
Community Leadership Developer
Organizational and Community Engagement Strategist
Solution Based Analyst
Adaptive Leadership Coaching
Motivational Speaker
About Ambrose R. Russell
Ambrose R. Russell is the Founder and Executive Director of The Inner Hero, a community-based nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth and bridging community and civic leadership gaps for the past 17 years.
Community Leadership Developer | Organizational and Community Engagement Strategist | Solution Based Analyst | Adaptive Leadership Coaching | Motivational Speaker.
Originally from war-torn Liberia, Ambrose’s journey of resilience and service has shaped his passion for creating safer environments and advocating for the well-being of young people in the Twin Cities. Under his leadership, The Inner Hero has served over 3,000 youth, young adults, and families and established partnerships with 35 police departments, the U.S. Army, and various civic organizations.
Ambrose’s extensive training includes programs with the ATF Citizens Academy and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, as well as consulting abroad with countries such as Ghana and Liberia. He has received numerous accolades for his impactful work, including the prestigious 2024 Minnesota Ethical Leadership Award. He holds a B.A. in Engineering from Hennepin Technical College. Graduate from the Harvard Kennedy School of Executive Education.
In addition to his professional roles, Ambrose is a dedicated community advocate, serving on several boards, including the Hennepin Technical College Law Enforcement Advisory Board and the Minnesota Character Council. A man of unshakable faith, he is a loving husband of seventeen years, a father to seven children, and a proud grandfather. His leadership philosophy centers on transforming lives through mentorship, fostering community resilience, and inspiring the next generation to achieve their fullest potential.
Ambrose’s Inspirational Insights
Ambrose shares bite-sized insights on the latest trends and topics that matter. Tune in for quick, informative clips that will keep you informed and engaged.
True leadership means being willing to do any task you ask of others, working alongside them with respect and support. It’s about ensuring they have the tools, training, and resources to succeed. Leaders must remain optimistic, even in difficult situations, showing belief in the team’s potential rather than letting doubt creep in. By holding onto that enthusiasm and drive, leaders inspire confidence, creating a ripple effect of positivity and resilience throughout the team.
A.R.R. Life Lessons
“Only by His Grace: A Call to Prioritize God in 2025”
We have been blessed by God’s goodness and mercy to see 2025. From 2020, through the challenges of COVID-19 and the crisis following George Floyd’s tragedy, many of us are still standing. This is not because of our own goodness, how we dress, how we speak, or anything special about us—it is solely by the grace, goodness, and mercy of God.
As we embrace 2025, I urge every family, every community, every state, and every sector of the American dream to draw closer to God. You may not attend church every day, but take time at home to pray and express gratitude to Him.
We are living in trying and difficult times. Without God as the number one priority in our lives, we risk allowing the devil to take hold. We are losing our young people and our communities at an alarming rate. Now, more than ever, we need God to be the foundation of our lives.
Let us refocus and prioritize Him. We cannot afford to delay any longer. Let us celebrate God for the healing, transformation, and hope He brings into our lives. I pray these words inspire you to recognize that it is only by His grace that we have come this far.
God bless you.
—A. R. Russell
Jan 3, 2025–A New Year’s Discovery
As I woke up this morning, reflecting in stillness, I uncovered a profound truth about my journey. From the very beginning, life presented me with immense challenges—losing both grandparents, no mother in sight, and a father absent from my life. My family did what they could on their terms and timing, but these circumstances ignited a deep urgency within me to succeed.
I was determined never to return to those moments of struggle and uncertainty. From Ghana to the United States, God granted me incredible opportunities and privileges, particularly through The Inner Hero. Yet, along the way, a subtle, dangerous mindset crept in—the idea of “having arrived,” a sense of entitlement that, if unchecked, can lead to stagnation.
This year, I’ve realized the key to moving forward: maintaining a positive obsession with serving God’s people. When the focus shifts from simply working to succeed to genuinely serving God and His creation, the journey becomes richer and more purposeful. Love becomes the driving force, dispelling complacency and fueling action.
Now, I am bound to succeed—not for my own gain, but for God and His people. This positive obsession will continue to drive me relentlessly. I will eat, sleep, and breathe the gift and blessing God has entrusted to me to serve His creation.
Let this reflection inspire you as well: stay vigilant, avoid complacency, and never believe you’ve “arrived.” Instead, let love keep you grounded and committed to serving. In doing so, you will always win.
God bless you.
—A. R. Russell
A.R.R 24 Life Lesson
You are not defined as a man or a woman solely by your education or age. True maturity is shaped by the challenges you’ve faced, the struggles you’ve endured, and your ability to rise above them. It’s the obstacles you’ve overcome and the lessons learned through adversity that truly define who you are. While degrees—whether a doctorate, a master’s, or other achievements—may enhance your journey, they do not determine your essence. What truly qualifies you is God’s presence and representation in and through all you’ve been through and how you’ve navigated life’s trials, remaining standing, resilient, and stronger than ever.
—A. R. Russell
A.R.R 24 Life Lesson
You are not defined as a man or a woman solely by your education or age. True maturity is shaped by the challenges you’ve faced, the struggles you’ve endured, and your ability to rise above them. It’s the obstacles you’ve overcome and the lessons learned through adversity that truly define who you are. While degrees—whether a doctorate, a master’s, or other achievements—may enhance your journey, they do not determine your essence. What truly qualifies you is God’s presence and representation in and through all you’ve been through and how you’ve navigated life’s trials, remaining standing, resilient, and stronger than ever.
—A. R. Russell
A.R.R 24 Life Lesson
How many families, especially Black families around the world—not just in America—actually take the time to put essential plans in place? I mean things like setting up death benefits, adding someone as a beneficiary on your accounts, or making sure a person is designated on your 401(k). But it’s not just about listing them; it’s about ensuring they understand the process to access these funds if something happens to you.
Many times, after a death, families struggle to navigate a complicated system to get the money simply because they are unfamiliar with the necessary steps. It is crucial to educate your family, your children, or anyone who will inherit your assets, so they are prepared for any unforeseen events. This is a fundamental lesson that everyone can apply, as the world is changing daily, and financial institutions don’t always make it easy to access funds.
If the account holder passes away, these companies can make it challenging for loved ones to retrieve that money, sometimes even trying to retain it. So take the time now to put everything in place to avoid unnecessary difficulties later on. I hope this message inspires you to take action and start making these preparations. God bless you.
—A. R. Russell
A.R.R 24 Life Lesson
Don’t leave anything for later because later might never come. Later, you could be gone. Later, your child is born, but you’re too distracted to celebrate. Later, the food is cold. Later, your team might not be ready. Later, your wife may walk away. Later, misunderstandings with your business partner may arise. Don’t wait for later, because God isn’t waiting for later to bless you—He’s blessing you now. So, lay everything on the table today. Live fully in the moment because today is promised to you, but tomorrow is not.
—A. R. Russell