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LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

COMMENDATION FROM THE PAST PRESIDENT

Dear friends, members and sponsors,

I wanted to personally thank all the sponsors and individuals that make doing what we do possible.  In 2017, we took 35 students to Washington DC to experience the political climate, the history and a college tour of Howard University this year. Our rich history and the accomplishments of our people are essential to the mental growth of our young people.  They were able to meet and listen to our 4th District representative, Hank Johnson, who spent one hour sharing what was going on currently in Washington. The day after the Syrian bombings, we were there. The laying of retired General and Astronaut John Glenn in Arlington was the day we were there. Journalist Harold Bell the creator of Inside sports, was our host at Ben’s Chili Bowl and he shared the rich history of the streets, interviews with the Greatest of all time ALI and the unique culture of DC with the students. The Collegiate 100 of Howard did the college tour for the students and shared the rich history of the campus and their famous alumni.  Attached is a heartfelt letter written by one of our students parent and it reminds us why the mentoring work we do is so important.  I look forward to your continue support and I personally again would like to thank you for helping the 100 make weekends like this possible.

John W. Hollins, Jr.
Past President
DeKalb 100 Black Men of America, Inc. LLC

 

Program Structure and Organization

Preamble

The Leadership Academy is sponsored by the DeKalb County Chapter of 100 Black Men of America, Inc., with the Support of local businesses, public agencies and educational institutions. The Leadership Academy is designed to address the crisis in which black male youths find themselves today. It is generally accepted that in most American cities, black males at every level from kindergarten through the twelfth grade are turning off to education in epidemic numbers. Research studies indicate that black males are shown to have dramatically lower grade point averages, attendance patterns, and graduation rates than black females and members of other racial groups.

Like in many communities, black males in DeKalb County and metropolitan Atlanta face problems of poverty, crime, single parenthood, drugs, violence and hopelessness. Violent aggression is an especially hazardous and potentially lethal problem confronting black male youth. The Leadership Academy focuses on providing a series of structured educational activities that allow black males to learn and experience new survival techniques, new environments and new growth opportunities. The Leadership Academy will nurture achievement, provide support, and enhance self-esteem. Finally, the Leadership Academy will teach lifelong living and learning skills.

Leadership Academy Defined Mission Statement

The Mission of the Leadership Academy of the DeKalb County Chapter of 100 Black Men of America, Inc. is defined as follows:

KNOWLEDGE: To supplement parental guidance and serve as a parallel learning and achievement program in cooperation with the DeKalb County Public Schools and the greater metropolitan community.

VALUES: To enable youth to incorporate the seven principles of Kwanzaa into their daily lives, assisting youth to develop appreciation for communication skills, self-discipline, goal setting, and teamwork!

OPPORTUNITY: To expose youth to experiences where their vision and energy may lead away from violence or criminal activity toward positive, productive endeavors.

History

In 1991, the DeKalb County Chapter of the 100 Black Men of America, Inc. was formed and the Leadership Academy was initiated shortly thereafter as its flagship community service. Many members of the DeKalb Chapter were already individually involved with mentoring programs through the local school systems. The Chapter Board of Directors empowered the President-elect to proceed in establishing a leadership program through the DeKalb Public School system. Michael German and Dr. Andrew H. Griffin, Jr. of the DeKalb County Chapter developed the concept of the Academy. Working with the Chapter’s Education Committee and the DeKalb School System, these men began the program in three schools: Snapfinger, Wadsworth and Knollwood Elementary Schools. Presently, there are seven schools being served, the original three, plus, Leslie Steele, Chapel Hill, Tilson and Terry Mill Elementary Schools.

Overview

The 100 Black Men of DeKalb, a chapter of the 100 Black Men of America, was established in 1991 as a non-profit organization to enrich the development of students enrolled in DeKalb County Schools. Believing that “What They See Is What They’ll Be”, the 100 Black Men of DeKalb opened its Leadership Academy in 1992 to provide Mentoring, Education, Health and Wellness, and Economic Development training to students enrolled in this program.

The Leadership Academy Academic Center is open to students in grades six through twelve attending DeKalb County schools and is housed inside McNair High School. All applicants who complete an application are scheduled for an interview to determine their need and desire to participate in the program. Both the students and parents have to abide by the policies and procedures set forth for participation in the program.

The Academy educational program has an enrollment of 130 student participants and focuses on providing a series of experiences to help nurture achievement, provide support, and enhance self-esteem.

Over the past seventeen years, more than 1,500 students have graduated from the Leadership Academy. And, 80% of the graduates have enrolled in Colleges, Universities, and Trade Schools. The success of the Leadership Academy, simply put, is attributed to a group of men living in DeKalb County from various professional backgrounds who believed that they could make a difference in the lives of students.

Always responding to the needs and desires of the students, the program is constantly expanding in substance and depth. The 2009-2010 program includes a science and technology component, an ambassador and international studies program, a leadership development component presented by the USA ROTC program; a tennis, health and fitness program with our USTA partners; career planning; toastmasters; etiquette; and entrepreneur education in the award-winning Gregory Levett entrepreneurship development “GLEAM” program.

In addition to academic programs the Leadership Academy supports the classroom activity with an exciting schedule of enrichment tours and quest presenters. The Academy also offers an enrichment program for parents, presenting seminars on topics that are designed to enhance parenting skills.

The Leadership academy also has several auxiliary programs designed to address other pressing issues in our student community, they include after-school tutoring, SAT preparation, computer training, Stay In School projects, gang violence, and career preparation seminars.

The men of the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County are committed to providing personal and professional development of the students by enhancing their standard education, personal and professional skills. We are committed to our partners in education, social services and faith-based institutions in proving young people positive options to the many challenges they face in their development.

WILLIAM C. BROWN SCHOLARSHIP FUND
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LEADERSHIP ACADEMY POLICIES
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