Youth Leadership
Development Program (YLDP)
Joe Bush
Director of Youth & Family Engagement
Joe Bush serves as BMEA’s Director of Youth and Family Engagement, where he leads the Youth Leadership Development Program and supports initiatives that strengthen student leadership, family engagement, and community connection. He works alongside educators, families, and school leaders to create meaningful opportunities for students—particularly Black males—to thrive academically, personally, and professionally. Joe holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Wayne State University and is committed to developing the next generation of educators, leaders, and changemakers.
Interested in having the Youth Leadership Development Program at your school?
Contact: Mr. Joe Bush
High School Mentor Outcomes
100%
Graduation Rate
110
High school fellows employed
75%
Expressed interest in becoming an educator
82%
Attendance rate
The Youth Leadership Development Program (YLDP) is an intergenerational, year-round initiative serving more than 280 students across 10 school sites throughout Metropolitan Detroit. The program is designed to create meaningful pathways for Black male youth through workforce development, leadership development, academic enrichment, and career exploration.
Through hands-on learning, mentorship, and real-world experiences, participants strengthen their mathematics proficiency, develop leadership and professional skills, and gain exposure to careers in education, STEM, and other high-demand fields. A key focus of the program is creating a clear pathway for Black males interested in entering the teaching profession or pursuing STEM careers, while providing them with the support, relationships, and experiences needed to envision themselves as future educators, leaders, and professionals.
By connecting younger students with older youth mentors and community leaders, YLDP creates an intergenerational model that emphasizes mentorship, responsibility, academic achievement, and service. The program not only supports students' immediate academic and personal growth, but also invests in developing the next generation of Black male educators, STEM professionals, and community leaders across Detroit.
Mentee Outcomes
90%
Reported growth in confidence, communication, leadership, behavior, and
peer relationships.
401
Community members at Annual Cookout
+34%
In 2nd grade, students scoring “Proficient” in math more than doubled,
rising from 21% to 55%.
+28%
5th Grade math scores went up 28%
How It Works
We partner with high schools to recruit and hire young men of color to mentor elementary school students. The program creates meaningful early experiences in education and mentorship, with the long-term goal of increasing the number of Black men who pursue careers in teaching and education. Through this experience, young leaders develop their leadership skills while supporting the academic, social, and personal growth of younger students.
Explore our high school and elementary school partners below.
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