Meet Larissa D. Jean, CEO & Founder of The Gift Center Leadership Academy

At Cornerstone, we love celebrating the entrepreneurs, leaders, and changemakers who make our community special. This month, we’re shining the spotlight on Larissa D. Jean, CEO & Founder of The Gift Center Leadership Academy, a purpose-driven organization dedicated to helping young people discover their God-given gifts and confidently step into their futures.

Turning Gifts Into Purpose

At The Gift Center Leadership Academy, Larissa and her team work alongside young people and their families to build confidence, develop leadership skills, and prepare scholars for life beyond the classroom.

Through mentorship, personal development, college and career exposure, and faith-based guidance, The Gift Center creates an environment where young people can recognize that their gifts have purpose—and gain the tools and experiences they need to walk confidently in them.

For Larissa, this mission is deeply personal.

The Gift Center was born in 2020, during a time of tremendous uncertainty. As young people navigated isolation, change, and questions about their futures, Larissa saw an opportunity to create something they desperately needed: a space where they could feel seen, supported, challenged, and reminded that their gifts still mattered.

What began as a vision has grown into a community of scholars and families connected by faith, leadership, education, and purpose.

“Five years later, watching our scholars grow into confident young leaders continues to remind me why I said ‘yes’ to the vision,” Larissa shares.

Celebrating Five Years—and Looking Ahead

Today, The Gift Center is celebrating an exciting milestone: five years of impact and the beginning of Year 6.

There is plenty to celebrate.

This year, The Gift Center awarded one of its graduating senior scholars a $1,000 scholarship as they headed off to college. For Larissa, moments like this represent the full-circle impact of the work she set out to do.

The organization was also voted Best of the Best of Gwinnett in 2025, an honor that Larissa says was especially meaningful because it reflected the support of the community The Gift Center is proud to serve.

And the momentum continues. Nominations for the 2026 Best of the Best of Gwinnett recognition are underway, while The Gift Center is already looking ahead to its 2027–2028 school year enrollment.

Five years in, Larissa isn’t slowing down. She’s continuing to dream bigger, grow the organization, and invest in the next generation.

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

When asked what advice she would share with someone just beginning their entrepreneurial journey, Larissa keeps it simple:

Start with the vision, but don’t wait for everything to be perfect.

There will always be something you don’t know, something you could improve, or another step you could take before you feel ready. Larissa encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to start anyway—to remain open to learning, surround themselves with people who believe in their vision, stay connected to their purpose, and give themselves permission to grow along the way.

“Five years later, I’m grateful I didn’t wait until I had every answer. I simply started with what God placed in my hands.”

More Than Office Space: A Community

One of the things Larissa enjoys most about being part of Cornerstone is the sense of community.

As an entrepreneur, having a professional environment where you can work, connect, exchange ideas, and be surrounded by others who understand the journey of building something meaningful is invaluable.

For The Gift Center, Cornerstone has become more than a place to work. It has become a place to call home—and a community that encourages connection, collaboration, and growth.

A Few Fun Facts About Larissa

Of course, a member spotlight wouldn’t be complete without getting to know the person behind the business!

• Hidden talent: Praise dancing
• Dream lunch-break destination: Africa
• What keeps her inspired: Seeing young people grow into confident leaders who recognize their gifts and purpose

What’s Next for The Gift Center?

As The Gift Center enters its sixth year, Larissa is looking ahead with gratitude and excitement.

She’s thankful for every scholar, parent, mentor, partner, supporter, and community member who has played a role in the organization’s journey—and she’s excited to welcome more families into the community.

For families looking for an environment where their young person can discover their gifts, strengthen their leadership skills, grow in faith, and prepare confidently for the future, The Gift Center Leadership Academy is opening enrollment for the 2027–2028 school year.

Year 5 was a milestone.

Year 6 is just the beginning of what’s next.

Connect With Larissa

Want to learn more about Larissa and The Gift Center Leadership Academy?

Visit thegiftcenter1816.com to learn more about the organization, its programs, and opportunities to connect.

We’re proud to have Larissa D. Jean and The Gift Center Leadership Academy as part of the Cornerstone family—and we can’t wait to see what the next chapter brings!