Our Team

Rose Smith is a mother, wife, entrepreneur, advocate, and visionary. She is a gun violence survivor, Every town Survivor fellow, Survivor membership lead of Louisville's Moms Demand Action Chapter, a Grief specialist, Board member of SHUGG Cancer foundation, Executive Director and founder of the ACE Project and self-proclaimed Queen of Peace.

After the tragic murder of her son, Rose birthed a new passion for social change. In honor of her son, Cory “Ace” Crowe, her spirit was led to establish the Ace Project, a safe place for youth and those impacted by gun-violence and trauma. The Ace Project offers a variety of services and supports to the community as it seeks to be a source of hope and healing for others. In the last two years, they have developed The Academy of Child Entrepreneurship, providing youth with the opportunity to learn invaluable business skills opening the door for future, legal, lasting legacies. The Ace Project continues to grow and develop as it learns and builds programming to fit the needs of the community it serves.

Rose is turning her pain into a powerful purpose. She is an advocate against gun violence. A voice of guidance for the youth in the community and a trusted ally for other mourning mothers. Her purpose is Peace. (People everywhere acting compassionately everyday). Rose has used her hurt to let others know there is hope and as a community, we can heal.

E’Lesha Toomer is from Louisville Kentucky she is a wife and the mother of four boys. Fashion and design has always been her interest since a very early age. At the age of 24 she taught herself to sew when her mother purchased her a sewing machine and a dress form. She’s been practicing sewing and dressmaking ever since.

E’Lesha initially started out as a volunteer for the ACE Project in 2014, volunteering as a sewing instructor and wherever was needed. In 2022 she came on full-time as the program Director.

Joshua Toomer is a Husband, Father, Licensed Minister, High School Business teacher, Entrepreneur, & Community Father Figure. He has dedicated his life to better his community. He has a high energy personality and hardly ever meets a stranger.