Mrs. B.J. Pleasant, a U.S. Army Veteran (SGT/E-5), is the Owner & Senior Business Systems Strategist for BJR Enterprise, LTD, a boutique management consulting firm, and Founder & CEO of Community Arts Experience, Inc. (C.A.E.). This 501 (c)(3) charitable organization is a coalition-based mentoring arts academy that delivers an alternative learning and training system designed to empower individuals to transform culture across generations.
After accepting her call to ministry in 2001, Mrs. Pleasant aimed to motivate and inspire youth to impact the world around them and create family and community support systems to sustain their development.
A series of youth homicides rocked the Canton, Ohio community in 2012, influencing Mrs. Pleasant's decision to develop the Students Taking Ownership Mentoring Project (STOMP), a countywide antiviolence initiative in collaboration with Canton City School District and 46 faith-based and community organizations. As project lead, she established a council of youth leaders, empowering them to become the voice of change, offer solutions to bullying and violence, public policy, self-esteem challenges, and access to 21st Century learning technologies. Today, Mrs. Pleasant applies over 20 years of expert knowledge and relentless energy in consulting nonprofit and small business organizations in transformational change, trauma-informed care practices, strategic planning, team building, and community organizing to influence society and transform culture.
Mrs. Pleasant was ordained and licensed as an elder under the Reverends Robert W. & Beverly A. Lewis, Sr. in 2003. In 2011, she served as the Assistant Pastor of The Jesus Spot in Massillon, Ohio, for two years; and now stands in loving support beside her husband, Apostle Brian K. Pleasant, Jr., founder of One Kingdom Ministries – Farrell, Pennsylvania, as Executive Pastor. In January 2015, Pastor Pleasant was commissioned to the office of Prophet. The ceremony was officiated by her spiritual covering, Drs Mark & Jill Kauffman of Jubilee Ministries International – New Castle, Pennsylvania.
Aside from also being a gospel recording artist, singing with Grammy Award winner Karen Clark Sheard, Grammy-Nominated Shirley Murdock, and Kierra "Kikki" Sheard, to name a few. Additionally, Mrs. Pleasant toured with The Golden Gospel Singers and The Gospel People internationally.
Mrs. Pleasant's professional achievements include the following: Bachelor of Business Administration in Organizational Management; Associate of Business Administration with a Specialization in Business Administration; President, City of Farrell Human Relations Commission; Member, Christian Chamber of Commerce of Western Pennsylvania; Advisory Council Member, Kingdom Congressional International Alliance; Board Secretary, Zion Education Center, Inc. and concept co-developer for Zion Education Center's Children & Youth Prevention Empowerment Network (CYPEN) project; Core Member and Quadrant Leader, Kingdom Unification Alliance; "Success in Leadership & Commitment in Business" Award (Celebration of Heroes); "Philanthropic Award" (Walsh University); "President’s Public Service Award” (Stark County Black Caucus); “Outstanding Community Service Award” (Stark County NAACP); and “Community Service Award” (Mercer County Women’s Association).
TESTIMONIALS
"B.J. Pleasant has worked extensively with us across a wide range of consulting assignments. We initially appointed B.J. to assist in resolving some long-standing issues with the academy’s student recruitment. However, we have been sufficiently impressed with her expertise, project management skills and energy that her role has expanded to include support with website development and branding. B.J.’s support has been invaluable during a period of significant change for the academy."
Brighten Heights Charter School / Board of Directors
"B.J. Pleasant came into our business with a fresh pair of eyes and listened intently to our views and frustrations. She was able to see opportunities from a fresh perspective and offer help and advice. With B.J.'s help we were able to develop a side of the business that complements our core objectives."
Michelle Steward / Michelle's Designs, Inc. - Owner
“B.J. Pleasant is a standout in the non-profit arena. Impeccable Integrity! She also has the ability to build coalitions in the public & private sectors in a very unique way. She has been able to bring together teams of people with very diverse skills & backgrounds to achieve incredible results. CAE is a fantastic national model for supplemental instruction & curriculum fortification. CAE under the leadership of B.J. Pleasant is an organization to watch & to partner with in your local market.”
Jefferson Younger / Excelous – Vice President of Business Development
"I have known and valued B.J.'s thoughtful input, analysis and attention to detail for a long time now, but was only recently sharply reminded when her skill and judgement augmented an important body of work I was preparing in a limited timescale. If you require assistance or a fresh pair of eyes to look at an existing or new project or business, B.J. will provide the perspective you need to deliver an enhanced solution."
Randy Bond / RBC, Inc. – Owner