The New Hue; Meet Courtney Ellis

Photo by Chris Braggs. What would you tell your 17-year-old self? "I would tell my 17-year-old self that never be afraid to be who you are. Embrace your individuality and surround yourself with people who help to cultivate and nourish your gifts. To always go where you are celebrated and not just tolerated. Keep God first and trust the process. Appreciate the beauty of your experiences and use them to become the greatest version of you you possibly can."

JOLIET, Il -- Courtney Ellis has a theory.

“I think a lot of people are not as afraid of failure as they are of success,” he said.

Ellis has reached for his own success despite his theory on fear. He attributes the decision to strive to be better to a number of things, including surrounding himself with people to whom he is accountable. That has been the case his whole life. Growing up, he was surrounded by good role models and that experience is part of the reason Ellis is being called to give back.

Ellis is one of four men who make up The New Hue, a Joliet-based organization that is working to change how society sees black men. The group will also mentor four young black men this year, and Ellis is thrilled to be a part of that.

“There were men that were strong family men who taught us how to be men,” he said. “It’s time for us to give back.”

Like the other members of The New Hue, founder Chris Braggs, Anthony Bradley and Donnis Draper, Ellis grew up in Joliet. He has been a Joliet firefighter/paramedic for 11 years. He spends every day helping others, but it’s anonymous.

“A lot of times when we or I take care of somebody or help somebody, I never see that person again,” he said. “You wonder how that person’s life turned out.”

“One of the things that we have to learn is that just because a person doesn’t come back and say thank you...you could be the greatest influence on a person who never says a word.”

For Ellis, being a part of The New Hue means he can be a part of the lives of these young men and see watch the impact he and the other mentors have on the young men's lives. He also has the opportunity to not only share his own wisdom, but the wisdom of the men who helped shape him.

“It takes a village,” he said. “It’s one of those things where we grew up in a time in our community where you could not do anything in our community without someone knowing.”

He said having people to whom you are accountable had a big impact for him.

“There is a whole world of connection that we can tap into,” he said. “I think you take for granted when you grow up in a house where you have strong male influences, you, it’s all you know.”

“You don’t realize how much of a support system you have until you relate to other people who have never had what you have. That’s got to be the difference maker.”

Today, Ellis sees The New Hue as a vehicle to connect the men he knew with the youth he wants to mentor.

“My dad worked at ComEd [an Illinois utility company] for 30 years,” he said. “He is still working.”

“I remember him getting up and going to work every single day. The only time I remember my dad not working is when he was laid off. I was around men who worked.”

Ellis said he sees himself and the other members of The New Hue as standing between the men who mentored them and the youth they want to serve.

Even his career in the fire department has connection to the men in his life -- a man who was like an uncle to Ellis was on the department.

“I think I naturally have a desire to help people,” he said. “It’s just in me. It gets me in trouble.

“I wear myself thin I tend to burn the candle at both ends.”

To see more of Ellis’ photo shoot, which was taken at a park in Chicago, click here.

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