boys from the Academy at Morgan Stanley

The underachievement of the black child and the high rate of expulsions are well documented, as is the relationship between social exclusion and the criminal justice system.

Eastside Young Leaders Academy works to instil the tenets of success early in the lives of 'at risk' black boys. The Academy was created to work in partnership with state schools, seeking to compliment the National Curriculum and supplement what it does not provide. The intention is to create an environment where boys can celebrate their commitment to excellence and be embraced for that pursuit. The Academy works to create an awareness and understanding of the opportunities that exist for their lives, providing consistent motivation to encourage participants to stay focussed and to pursue those opportunities with passion.

Parents/carers are expected to attend monthly meetings and participate in fund raising events. The Academy has an 'open door' approach and parents/carers are welcome to observe and volunteer their time and assistance.

The concept, imported from the USA, is the brainchild of John Littleford who was concerned to place minority youth in business and industry and prepare them for corporate and community leadership. A former military man and headmaster of a private school, he adopted a rigourous approach to developing leadership within minority youths.

The founder is an ex- prison governor, Ray Lewis. He regularly witnessed record and disproportionate numbers of black males shunted into the terminus of the criminal justice system. "We see no shortage of young black males in the courtrooms, my vision is to seek to prepare as many as possible for the boardrooms".

They fully expect to produce Britain's first black Prime Minister!

To find out more about Eastside Young Leaders Academy click here

boys from the Academy at Morgan Stanley

The underachievement of the black child and the high rate of expulsions are well documented, as is the relationship between social exclusion and the criminal justice system.

Eastside Young Leaders Academy works to instil the tenets of success early in the lives of 'at risk' black boys. The Academy was created to work in partnership with state schools, seeking to compliment the National Curriculum and supplement what it does not provide. The intention is to create an environment where boys can celebrate their commitment to excellence and be embraced for that pursuit. The Academy works to create an awareness and understanding of the opportunities that exist for their lives, providing consistent motivation to encourage participants to stay focussed and to pursue those opportunities with passion.

Parents/carers are expected to attend monthly meetings and participate in fund raising events. The Academy has an 'open door' approach and parents/carers are welcome to observe and volunteer their time and assistance.

The concept, imported from the USA, is the brainchild of John Littleford who was concerned to place minority youth in business and industry and prepare them for corporate and community leadership. A former military man and headmaster of a private school, he adopted a rigourous approach to developing leadership within minority youths.

The founder is an ex- prison governor, Ray Lewis. He regularly witnessed record and disproportionate numbers of black males shunted into the terminus of the criminal justice system. "We see no shortage of young black males in the courtrooms, my vision is to seek to prepare as many as possible for the boardrooms".

They fully expect to produce Britain's first black Prime Minister!

To find out more about Eastside Young Leaders Academy click here