I believe we are spiritual beings living a human experience. When we begin to see one another through that truth, compassion deepens and our responsibility becomes clear, to guide, support, and help others rise above circumstance and walk their path with courage.”
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Biography
Violet Chang-Lewis, MSW, is a social worker and youth development leader who serves as Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Lennox Lewis League of Champions Foundation, where she leads the design and implementation of sport-based programs that help young people build discipline, resilience, and positive life outcomes.
With more than 20 years of experience in social services and youth development, Violet has dedicated her career to helping young people build confidence, strengthen emotional resilience, and develop the life skills needed to overcome challenges and reach their full potential. Drawing on social work principles and youth development practices, she designs and guides programs that support the social, emotional, and behavioral growth of youth.
Violet leads the development of the Foundation’s Knights in the Ring™ Initiative, a sport-based youth development model that combines boxing, mentorship, education, and leadership development to create meaningful opportunities for young people. The initiative reflects her belief that structured mentorship, discipline, and consistent support can positively influence the trajectory of a young person’s life.
Her approach integrates social work principles, positive youth development practices, and structured mentorship to create environments where young people can safely develop discipline, confidence, and leadership skills. By intentionally combining sport with life-skills education and mentorship, Violet has helped shape a program model that focuses not only on athletic development but also on behavioral growth, emotional regulation, and identity formation.
Earlier in her career, Violet worked in corporate leadership at Verizon, where she developed strengths in strategic planning, operational management, and team leadership. She later transitioned into professional social work, bringing both corporate and community-based experience to her leadership in nonprofit programming.
Violet’s work is deeply rooted in her belief that structured mentorship, discipline, and opportunity can change the trajectory of a young person’s life, a conviction shaped by her own upbringing in Jamaica, where she witnessed firsthand how a young person’s future is often shaped by access to guidance and opportunities.
She holds a Master of Social Work from Adelphi University and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from St. John’s University. Violet is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, reflecting her long-standing commitment to service, leadership, and community empowerment.
Through her leadership, Violet continues to shape the Foundation’s model for using sport, mentorship, and life-skills development as a pathway for youth empowerment and lasting community impact.
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