Established in 1985, the Leadership Training Academy (LTA) offers a comprehensive training program for East Palo Alto middle and high school students that prepares them to take on a variety of civic leadership roles and endows them with the tools necessary to effect positive change in their communities.

LTA’s goal is to engage youth in a variety of personal development and community building activities, so that they will have a deeper knowledge and understanding of social responsibility, community organizing, public affairs, leadership, culture and spirituality, wellness, human relationships, and professional development. By involving youth in a variety of leadership activities, they can become effective grassroots leaders with the knowledge, skill and passion to promote their communities.

Today, along with its focus on leadership development, LTA provides academic support services and training in the areas of health, culture, and academic and career planning. Its flagship program—the Community Government Institute (CGI)—provides hands-on learning in civic leadership through a four-day simulated experience of organizing and running a city.

Youth leadership fuels the organization-- the staff being comprised of young adults from East Palo Alto or demographically similar communities-- engaging and creating real connections with youth and forging positive mentoring relationships.

Leadership: utilizes Afro-centric training strategies to prepare youth for responsible roles in the community.

Academic and Career Planning: provides educational/technological training and support services for youth.

City Government Institute: teaches youth about the fundamentals of local government through a simulated experience of organizing and running a city.

Culture: exposes youth to African culture and other diverse communities through history, music and dance.

Health: informs youth about maintaining good physical, mental and spiritual health by promoting abstinence from violence, drugs, alcohol and risky behavior.

Entering into its 21st year, LTA is constantly refining and renewing its techniques and continues to uphold its mission to create a new generation of grassroots leaders to lead with confidence, skill and compassion.

So, how does one measure the success of an organization like the Leadership Training Academy? Simply look at rates and percentages-- compare LTA’s 100% high school graduation rate to the Ravenswood City School District’s 36% graduation rate1; or compare LTA’s 90% college/university attendance rate to the 10.6% of East Palo Alto residents with Bachelor’s degrees or higher or San Mateo’s rate of 38.9%..2 More telling than statistics and numbers, however, are the words and experiences of those who have benefited firsthand from LTA’s good works.

Contact:
Ayodele Ankoanda Kinchen
Director
(650) 327-5846 x303
ayo@cdi-usa.org

Bakari Thompson
Program/ Research Assistant
(650) 327-5846 x310
bakari@cdi-usa.org