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.

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Participant Achievements

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Math Proficiency: Our Youth Leadership Development Program has significantly exceeded national growth targets, with 75% of our elementary participants achieving or surpassing significant growth benchmarks.

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Exceptional Growth: The program has recorded a remarkable 157% average growth in mathematics skills among elementary school participants, outpacing the nationally expected growth rate for their grade levels by 57%, as evidenced by standardized test results and assessments conducted at a partner school.