Our Team
Founded in 1989, Ladies for Ethnic Advancement & Dignity, Inc. (L.E.A.D.) is a community based, nonprofit organization composed of business and professional women. Our amazing and dedicated team of part-time and retired volunteers are committed to improving the quality of life for students from the Greater Los Angeles area.
Think you would be a good fit? Get in touch for more information!
Our Mission
The mission of this organization shall be to carry on educational (literary and scientific), social and/or charitable projects designed to help eliminate some of the contemporary obstacles that confront youth. The objective of the program is to enhance academic and social development through workshops, seminars and cultural activities.
Our Program
Our Program
The L.E.A.D. Scholars program was designed for youth in grades six through twelve, who are from the greater Los Angeles area. The L.E.A.D. Scholars participate once a month for 10 months in cultural, social, educational, community services, and recreational activities. Middle and high school students receive educational assistance and re
The L.E.A.D. Scholars program was designed for youth in grades six through twelve, who are from the greater Los Angeles area. The L.E.A.D. Scholars participate once a month for 10 months in cultural, social, educational, community services, and recreational activities. Middle and high school students receive educational assistance and resources while deserving high school graduates receive annual college/university scholarships.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
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OSCAR-AWARDED DOCUMENTARY TIES CLOSE TO HOME
The Last Repair Shop I 2024 Documentary Short Wins Oscar
A special message from L.E.A.D. Member Rhonda Foster: I am excited to share with you about this amazing short documentary, The Last Repair Shop. I was invited by my former client, Miss Porche` Brinker to a screening of it at USC this past January. She is pictured above for the movie. It was very moving and inspiring. When we walked into the auditorium there was Porche` on the big screen! She participated in the Q&A panel discussion that followed, along with the co-directors and two of the technicians also featured in the film. She is currently a 6th grader at Palms Middle School. During February, I coordinated a family dinner celebrating Black History Month at the Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center and screened the film for all of our clients and their families to see.
Porche` and her grandmother, Ms. Joy, were able to join us.
She attended the Academy Awards and walked onstage for the Oscar!
Co-directed by Ben Proudfoot and Kris Bowers, please tap this [LINK] to view this amazing short documentary.
Enjoy! Mrs. Foster
2024 SCHOLAR PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Attending the Ladies of Lead scholarship program was one of the greatest educational opportunities that I’ve been able to experience from the age of nine to my current age of 17. Meetings were held every third Saturday of the month. In each meeting, a new speaker would guide workshops about useful topics like financial literacy, creative writing, or job interviews. However, there would always be someone to give an opening/closing speech, plan workshops, set an example for younger members, and graduate earning the most amount of money when receiving the scholarship; they were the president.
One of the most beneficial takeaways I’ve learned from this program was public speaking. As someone diagnosed with a social anxiety disorder, speaking in front of a group of people is like you’re filled in a room full of a thousand staring eyes waiting for you to slip up so they can laugh at your mistakes. The main tip in the workshop was always to know everything about your topic, not having note cards makes you look well-prepared. Always look to the back of your room if you’re nervous. Lastly, always project your voice even if it is a small group.
Taking the lessons I've learned from the program I decided to challenge myself to take on the role of being president. I gave my election speech for president, I made sure all eyes were on me. I was able to put my anxiety to the side and confidence on a pedestal; the result of my actions put me in office. Becoming president has given me many opportunities to speak to the point where I have gotten comfortable with speaking in a room filled with people and not feeling like my heart drops to my stomach has never felt better. Even though attending the program took away from my personal free time, in exchange I was equipped with useful knowledge that I can apply in any environment. To me, leadership is a place to gain knowledge but where I also found my voice.
Keiliona Gray, Class of 2024
HELP OUR CAUSE
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals to provide leadership training seminars and annual scholarships to our scholars. Your generous donation will fund our mission.
HOW YOU CAN DONATE
Send Your Donations to: L.E.A.D. Scholars
11111 Jefferson Blvd, PO Box 4866, Culver City, California 90230, United States
Online
Online Donations with Zelle
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
As president of Ladies for Ethnic Advancement and Dignity, Inc., I have the privilege and pleasure of leading and working side by side with some of the most influential and knowledgeable African American women in the educational industry.
This is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization entering its 36th year of serving the community and our outstanding middle and high school students. Our mission has been to reach out to our African American Scholars to assist in the development of their educational
and social skills. We have awarded scholarships to students to encourage their pursuit of knowledge. We have offered workshops, seminars and field trips to showcase the possibilities available to hard-working and serious students.
This year we will share our experience and time unselfishly giving back to our community by mentoring students who wish to make a difference, a difference for themselves, their families, friends and of course, for our communities.
Our goals will also continue our efforts to provide support and guidance to the many deserving and eager students. If we are successful, these very students will one day offer the same encouragement and support to others long after we have stepped down.
My hope is for our organization to significantly increase our fundraising efforts to increase our scholarship awards to our LEAD scholars. My personal goal is to think “outside the box”, to rejuvenate our efforts, to energize our members and to increase our membership. I encourage new ideas to stimulate interest and enthusiasm.
I look forward to being an effective leader in this remarkable endeavor and I invite our community to support these efforts.
- Adrienne Walden
LEAD President
L.E.A.D. President, Adrienne Walden
Our Partners
