Press Coverage

After Grant Killing, Community Turns Tragedy into Power

YO! Youth Outlook Multimedia , News Feature, Jazmyne Young, Posted: Feb 11, 2009 Link to article

Blackmon, the former director of Leadership Excellence — an Oakland-based organization dedicated to educating African-American youth around social justice issues — has made herself a cornerstone of mentorship for Oakland youth.

Planning for West Oakland teen center begins with youth

Oakland Tribune, Oct 18, 2008 by Cecily Burt Link to article

Leadership Excellence executive director A. Saleem Shakir said the group will be reaching out to neighbors and groups who had expressed interest in the teen center. But the first priority is interviewing and selecting members who will form the core, five- member youth panel that will serve as research interns and oversee development of the teen center and its programs.

Beyond the Ballot: Young Black Men and Voting

New America Media Link to article

WireTap, News Report, Donny Lumpkins, Posted: Sep 09, 2008
With 19 years in the game, Leadership Excellence is a major part of the lives of many young black youth in and around Oakland. Its signature program, Camp Akili, focuses on violence, critical thinking, building self-esteem and self-determination. This approach is coupled with identifying internalized depression in African and African-American youth and addressing it in a positive way with workshops and training programs.

Outreach workers address violence prevention at first regional summit Workers convene in Oakland; some to be deployed to City’s ‘hot spots”

Inside Bay Area Link to article

The outreach workers are employed through Leadership Excellence, California Youth Outreach and Youth Uprising, and $575,000 of Measure Y funds are split among the organizations.

“Black in School: Afrocentric Reform, Urban Youth, and the Promise of Hip-Hop Culture”

Book by Shawn A. Ginwright, Assistant Professor of Sociology and Ethnic Studies at Santa Clara University. Shawn is the co-founder of Leadership Excellence.

Google Books Read the book online