Mission, Vision & Values

Mission

Leadership Excellence’s mission is to educate African-American Youth for personal and social change.

Vision

LE envisions a world where all cultural traditions are honored and children are validated for their knowledge and unique wisdom. We see black youth wellness as a means to achieve our ultimate goal: African communities standing independently in their greatness in spite of the obstacles we face – past, present, and future.

History

Dr. Shawn Ginwright, noted sociologist and author, and Nedra Ginwright founded LE through their work in youth development and youth organizing, establishing the agency as a national model for serving urban youth. Along with Daniel Walker and several other students at San Diego State University, Shawn and Nedra launched LE, Inc. in 1989 to enhance educational opportunities for African American youth from San Diego’s low-income communities. With support from SDSU faculty and staff, they created Camp Akili, a summer motivational and leadership camp for African American high school students. In 1993, the organization moved to Oakland, launching Stand 4 Somethin’ in 1997, Camp Afrique (now Camp Alkebulan) in 1999, Oakland Freedom School in 2000, and the Leadership Training Institute in 2008.