BANISTERS LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

Banister’s Leadership Academy will provide a safe and positive environment to provide leadership materials and time to study the importance of being a leader. The mentors will focus on teaching mentees public speaking skills, computer literacy, planning events, phone etiquette, mock interviews, dressing for success, and motivating others. We are applying for the grant to be able to meet the standards of the Elements of Effective Practice for Mentoring.

Banister’sLeadership Academy staff meets with youth currently serving time in DouglasCounty Youth Center; Banister’s Leadership Academy helps youth develop positiveself-esteem, self-control, and self-discipline through a series of activitiesincluding team building exercises, leadership exercises, and motivationexercises. BLA staff provides youth with insight, positive interactions, andpositive reinforcement to help the youth change and better them.

Cultural Field Trips: Youth will have the opportunity to attendfour cultural field trips which include: Love’s Jazz Arts Center, HistoricalTour of John Beasley Theater, Big Momma’s Kitchen, and Durham Western HeritageMuseum. Cultural Awareness: African culture connection is utilizing the MalcolmX Foundation’s knowledge and expertise in African American Culture. Leadership, Life, and Social Skills Tutorial:  During this tutorial youth will learn etiquette, public speaking skills, tips on making a successful entrepreneur, tips on how to be a successful student inhigh school, time management skills, and organizational skills. Leadership Forum:    This session will provide youthtime to debate and speak their mind about politics, social change, schoolviolence, gang violence, and other areas of interest. Self-Defense/Tae Kwon Do Tutorial: Tae Kwon Do teaches self-discipline, self-control, respect as well as responsibility, citizenship, compassion, respect, fairness, and trustworthiness. Dance Tutorial: Youth will have the opportunity to learn several types of dance including hip hop, African dance, ballet, jazz, step,and tap dance.

Banister’s Leadership Academy Youth Leadership AmbassadorCouncils is a youth program designed to teach youth effective communication, public speaking, etiquette, listening, understanding, to challenge others will out being physical, to live a healthy lifestyle, to learn how to lead themselves and others, and most importantly to work hard and strive for success. This initiative is to focus on the youth being successful now; in school, at home, and extracurricular activities. Youth will learn how to make important decisions, to be effective and efficient in all areas of their lives, to plan and prioritize, organize, and then to execute successful futures.  Youth Leadership Ambassador Councils willhave the opportunity to be involved in the Youth Leadership Ambassador Councils during the school week and after, youth will be invited to attend youth rallies, youth leadership conferences, leadership camps, and Banister’s Leadership Academy events. Banister’s Leadership Academy’s goal is strengthen school spirit, community spirit, and strengthen youth’s understanding of being a member of Banister’s Leadership Academy. The Youth Leadership AmbassadorCouncils will not only insert positivity in one person but positivity in acommunity of youth; who seek positive ambition and success.