Empowering Youth

Jamanuel Barnes is the founder of HOTT Youth (Hands-On Technical Training Youth), a mentorship and skilled trades training initiative located on North Peoria in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Raised in the Apache Manor Apartments near Apache and Harvard, Jamanuel discovered his passion for building and mechanics at an early age while creating custom lowrider and trick bicycles.

His creativity and drive caught the attention of neighborhood car builders who were repairing vehicles at the shop of George Alexander Sr. on North Peoria. After meeting Mr. Alexander and sharing his dream of working in the automotive field, Jamanuel was invited to work at the shop and was encouraged to enroll in night classes at Tulsa Technology Center. By the age of sixteen, he was gaining hands-on automotive experience during the day while attending technical training classes in the evening—an opportunity that profoundly changed the direction of his life.

When George Alexander Sr. passed away in 2006, he left Jamanuel the building where he first learned the trade. Jamanuel has remained in that same location ever since, continuing to serve the community that helped shape him. With a vision for long-term community impact, he later advised his parents of Barnes Realty to purchase surrounding properties next to the original building, expanding the footprint and creating opportunities for future development and community investment.

Over the years, Jamanuel has personally mentored approximately 10 to 12 young people into skilled trades. Five of those individuals now work in the automotive industry, while others have pursued careers in carpentry, plumbing, and electrical work. These experiences reinforced his belief in the life-changing power of mentorship and hands-on learning.

To expand that impact, Jamanuel founded HOTT Youth, an initiative designed to expose the next generation to real career pathways through skilled trades. The program connects youth with experienced mentors and provides hands-on technical training in a real working shop environment.

The mission of HOTT Youth is simple: to protect young idle minds from corruption by exposing youth to mentorship, hands-on technical training, and opportunities in skilled trades.

Today, HOTT Youth is launching a pilot program serving 4–6 youth, with plans to grow through partnerships with community leaders, businesses, and organizations that believe in mentorship, skilled trades, and preparing the next generation of workers.