Developing Young Leader

Indianapolis community leaders identified several factors which they believed prohibited or at least severely limited African American youth from achieving, or even aspiring to achieve academic, college and career success.

During the mid 1970s, Indianapolis community leaders identified several factors which they believed prohibited or at least severely limited African American youth from achieving, or even aspiring to achieve academic, college and career success. The lack of exposure to the many career opportunities and options available to youth; the lack of awareness of the demands, expectations, and preparation required to excel and take advantage of these great career opportunities; and the absence of a substantial number of African American professionals who could provide this guidance, mentoring, role modeling and simple encouragement all served to stifle the ambitions, hopes, and aspirations of youth.

The mission of the Center for Leadership Development “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”.

The foundation of CLD's vision for developing youth; helping them set high meaningful goals; training them to responsibly handle peer pressure; and motivating them to pursue excellence rests on instilling in these youth, CLD's Principles for Success.

These CLD Principles for Success are five core principles and values, which we believe are fundamental and vital to developing youth and preparing them for the highest levels of personal development, career success and an enriched overall quality of life:

Character Development -

CLD empowers youth by instilling valuable lessons that promote respect for self and others, self-worth, integrity, discipline, purpose and other character traits vital to success.

Educational Excellence -

CLD inspires, develops and challenges its youth participants 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 and corporations, neighborhoods and communities.

Community Service -

CLD believes that one critical component in becoming a truly effective leader is learning to serve and help the people you lead. CLD demonstrates this commitment to community service and philanthropy by teaching African American and minority youth the purpose, method and process for rendering service to those in need.

Career Achievement -

CLD exposes its youth to the myriad of career opportunities available to them. In addition, CLD facilitates this career achievement by educating young people in the knowledge, skills and educational requirements necessary to realize their career aspirations.