“ALL CHILDREN DESERVE A CHANCE TO MAKE A MISTAKE AND LEARN FROM IT”- Darius Pettway
JUVENILE JUSTICE REFORM
CEO
Darius Pettway
Darius Pettway, MAS, is an author, educator, behavioral health leader, and nationally recognized youth advocate dedicated to transforming the lives of young people and families through mentorship, education, and community-based support. As the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Life Skool, Darius has devoted his career to creating pathways of hope, opportunity, and long-term success for youth facing adversity.
Drawing from years of experience working within school systems, behavioral health programs, residential treatment settings, and the juvenile justice system, Darius has developed a unique understanding of the challenges many youth and families face. His work is rooted in the belief that every young person possesses untapped potential and deserves access to the guidance, resources, and support needed to thrive.
In 2014, Darius became the first student-athlete in his family to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. During his academic career, he was inducted into the National Criminal Justice Honor Society, Alpha Phi Sigma, and later earned a Master of Administrative Science degree. His educational achievements, combined with his professional experience, have fueled a lifelong commitment to youth development, behavioral health advocacy, and community empowerment.
Under Darius’ leadership, Life Skool has grown into a dynamic organization providing behavioral health services, mentoring, skills development, caregiver support, and community-based programming throughout North Texas. Through strategic partnerships with schools, community organizations, and local stakeholders, Life Skool continues to help youth and families build resilience, overcome obstacles, and achieve meaningful outcomes.
Darius remains driven by a simple but powerful belief:
“All children deserve a chance to make a mistake and learn from it without it costing them their livelihood.”
Through his leadership, speaking engagements, writing, and community service, he continues to inspire young people to recognize their value, pursue their goals, and become the best version of themselves.
History
Life Skool was founded in 2020 with a vision to empower youth, strengthen families, and create positive outcomes within the communities we serve. Originally established as a mentoring program focused on supporting youth at risk of involvement in the juvenile justice system, Life Skool was created to provide guidance, accountability, and opportunities for young people facing significant life challenges.
As community needs evolved, so did our organization. Today, Life Skool has expanded into a comprehensive provider of behavioral health, mentoring, skills development, caregiver support, and case management services for children, adolescents, and families throughout North Texas.
Through evidence-based practices, community partnerships, and a commitment to individualized care, Life Skool has helped hundreds of youth build resilience, improve behavioral health outcomes, strengthen family relationships, and achieve success in school, at home, and within their communities.
While our roots began in prevention and youth advocacy, our mission has grown to serve a broader population of youth and families facing a variety of social, emotional, behavioral, and environmental challenges. We remain committed to creating pathways to success, restoring hope, and empowering individuals to reach their full potential.
Today, Life Skool continues to build stronger youth, stronger families, and stronger communities through compassionate support, meaningful relationships, and lasting impact.
Mission Statement
Together, our mission is to provide dynamic mentoring and behavioral health services to youth and families in need.
Our Promise
To create a learning environment that promotes equal opportunities for students by providing an inclusive environment through policies, advocacy, and community partnerships that meet the needs of our population.