The mission of the Center for Leadership Development is to foster the advancement of minority youth in Central Indiana as future professional, business and community leaders by providing experiences that encourage personal development and educational attainment.
VISION
This vision – empowering youth and strengthening community – became clear in the mid 1970’s when Indianapolis community leaders identified several reasons why African American youth were failing to graduate from high school, not entering college and failing to achieve economically sound and personally rewarding careers. Youth did not value education as an aspirational goal, they were not aware of the many options available to them, and they did not have the support of family and community. African American role models were not stepping forward in enough force to mentor and guide these young people.
Responding to the many serious obstacles facing minority youth, these visionary leaders founded the Center for Leadership Development. Since that time, CLD has developed programs and events which deliver exceptional experiences to both students and parents. The programs are based on CLD’s Five Principles for Success – five core values that develop and prepare youth for the highest levels of academic achievement, career success and community service.
CLD’S FIVE PRINCIPLES FOR SUCCESS
Character Development
CLD empowers youth by instilling valuable lessons that promote respect for self and others, integrity, discipline, purpose and other character traits vital to success.
Educational Excellence
CLD inspires, develops and challenges youth to pursue the highest levels of academic and educational achievement.
Leadership Effectiveness
CLD provides youth with the training and practical experiences required to positively lead and serve their peers in schools, churches, organizations, businesses, neighborhoods and communities.
Community Service
CLD believes that a key component in becoming an effective leader is learning to serve the people you lead. CLD demonstrates this commitment to community service and philanthropy by teaching youth the purpose and process for rendering service to those in need.
Career Achievement
CLD exposes youth to the many career opportunities available to them. CLD facilitates this career achievement by educating youth in the knowledge, skills and educational requirements necessary to realize their career aspirations.
Center for Leadership Development
Center for Leadership Development
Self-Discovery/Career Exploration Project
This intensive 13-week curriculum based program for 10th -12th grade students provides greater insight into personal, educational and career goals in order for students to make effective decisions and overcome barriers that impede their achievement.
Students continue to be faced with a myriad of images that adversely affect their ability to clearly understand their destiny and create a plan to execute their goals of achievement. The Self-Discovery/Career Exploration Project encourages and compels participants to make a very critical self-evaluation in the following areas:
- Communication and Success
- Effective Presentation Skills
- Working Together
- Assertiveness Training
- Exploring Business
- Setting College Goals
- Examining Cause and Effect
- Effective Study Skills
- Dressing for Success
- Overcoming Barriers
- Effective Interviewing
- Setting Career Goals
Center for Leadership Development
"CLD has opened up opportunities for me that I could not have been blessed to have anywhere else. It has allowed for me to be in a remarkable position to better myself and the future ahead. CLD has enriched me with valuable information about the tools to being successful. Through CLD, I now know who I am, where I am going and how I am going to get there."
Julian
“I am thankful because CLD has not only prepared me for college but also for life. CLD has taught me so much about things I never thought I would need to know. Take what CLD has to offer to heart because they only want what’s best for you which is to be successful.”
Tierra
“Because of the skills CLD has taught me, I am more versatile, focused, and assertive towards my goals in life. I enjoyed meeting future leaders and great friends. This is a great program and to all youth involved, take full advantage of this opportunity and remember to give back.”
Peyton
Center for Leadership Development
The Center for Leadership Development depends on more than 200 volunteers to accomplish our mission of advancing minority youth to be future professional, business and community leaders.
CLD SPECIAL EVENTS AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH:
Volunteers are needed to assist with registration, ushering, set up and tear down, marketing/recruitment table, and other opportunities during program orientations, graduation ceremonies, the CLD Minority Achievers Dinner, Youth Empowerment Walk, Golf Outing and at Indiana Black Expo.
BECOME A PROGRAM FACILITATOR!
CLD program facilitators interact with youth using CLD’s engaging, hands-on and research- based curriculum. We equip facilitators with easy-to-use lesson plans and program supplies. CLD provides a comprehensive training and ongoing support during your service.
Want to help? Skill-based volunteers are needed in the following categories!
Graphic Design
Marketing
Web Development
Fundraising
Other
Center for Leadership Development
Suggested Donations
Center ($10.00)
Shooting Guard ($20.00)
Point Guard ($30.00)
Funding Needs
HELP US DEVELOP LEADERS OF TOMORROW
CLD prepares youth for success in school and in life. Your contribution will help CLD in furthering its mission of fostering the advancement of minority youth in Central Indiana as future professional, business, and community leaders by providing experiences that encourage personal development and educational attainment.
- $150 would help send 10 students to our annual College Prep Conference and College Fair
- $500 would cover the cost of registration for 20 students in most CLD programs
- $2,500 would help defray the cost of the graduation ceremony for 300 students from the Self-Discovery/Career Exploration flagship program
- $5,000 would cover the cost of academic assessments and counseling for 35 students
CLD is a 501(c )(3) non-profit charity and all donations are tax-deductible as allowed by IRS regulations.
