By Aleisha Robinson
AFRO Intern
arobinson@afro.com
In the midst of COVID-19 pandemic, in August 2020, Jeanette Wooten and Corin “Tiny” Adams co- founded Leader Breeders, a non-profit organization dedicated to transforming the lives of Baltimore youths.
Photo: Photo courtesy of Corin “Tiny” Adams
This non-profit organization is dedicated to academic enrichment, career development, physical therapy and community engagement. The group is led by an all-female executive board, and is making significant strides to transform the lives of children and young adults in Charm City.
“I’ve always been involved in youth work in Baltimore, but during the pandemic, I came across a few squeegee boys and young people who needed guidance and mentorship,” said Adams. “I incorporated Leader Breeders in 2020 to make an impact on youth development and create a space for kids to come in and get quality reinforcements and empowerment.”
Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Adams chose to establish Leader Breeders in Baltimore because she felt a deeper connection to the city where she learned important life lessons and built a strong community. She landed in Baltimore after securing a scholarship at Morgan State University in 2006 to play basketball.
“Rather than going back to New York, where I felt I would have had to start over, I decided that Baltimore was where I still had a lot of my connections and a network of people that would help me,” said Adams.
The organization has programs designed to empower the youths, build leadership skills and create a positive impact with the Baltimore community. This includes mentorship programs from college students, academic enrichment programs that offer tutoring, career development, community enhancement and physical activities.
Desiree Lassiter, a 44-year-old lawyer from Baltimore whose daughter Isabella Lassiter participates in Leader Breeders’ activities, said since joining the organization her child’s confidence and social skills have soared, transforming her into a more self-assured and community-minded individual.
“One of the reasons my husband and I put her in there was that she was struggling with confidence in basketball. Since participating in Leader Breeders, I can honestly say, I’ve seen about a 200 to 300 percent improvement,” said Lassiter. “She has developed commitment to her community and to her peers. She has this desire to help people feel comfortable, become a leader and engage with other kids in the program.”
Isabella Lassiter, who joined the program when she was 10-years-old and is now 11, said she cherishes her experiences with Leader Breeders. She finds motivation in the mentorship program at Morgan State University Basketball, and said the organization has helped her both on and off of the court.
“I learned etiquette,” said Isabella. “That will help me in the future when I go to fancy places…I know how to be respectful because they taught me that.”
Leader Breeders has now also launched a new certification program, offering self-guided courses in finance, Microsoft Office and Graphic design. Alongside this initiative, their after-school programs at locations like the Rita Church Community Center integrate essential life skills such as financial literacy and resume writing. Recognizing a growing interest in non-collegiate career paths, program leadership is working on a plan to expand the certification program to local rec centers and high schools with a goal of equipping youth with practical skills and certifications for future employment opportunities.
Desiree Lassiter advises parents to sign up their child “immediately” because of the impact Leader Breeders provides to young boys and girls.
“The impact is tremendous… when you walk into the room they are all smiling, laughing and playing together, which is beautiful to see,” said Lassiter. “In a place like Baltimore, where kids have to grow up fast, be mature and worry about things that are well beyond their years, it’s heartwarming to see them coming together and be excited.”
The post Leader Breeders: Empowering Baltimore City, one youth at a time appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.
