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Your contribution can propel a young man into a bright future.
$1200 Sponsors A Young Ambassador for the entire year or make any donation!
DONATE with Venmo App @YALA2020
Dear Friends and Supporters,
"We don't just prepare boys for the future—we empower them with the confidence to lead, the responsibility to serve, the resilience to overcome, and the character to transform their communities."
Young Ambassadors Leadership Academy (YALA) is committed to empowering boys to become confident, responsible, resilient, and purpose-driven young men. Through the strength of a caring village of mentors, families, educators, and community partners, we provide the guidance, encouragement, and life skills needed to help every young man realize his full potential.
Our holistic leadership development program equips participants with the confidence to overcome challenges, the responsibility to make positive choices, the resilience to persevere through adversity, and the academic support needed to excel in school and beyond. We also prepare young men with essential life skills, leadership experiences, financial literacy, career exploration, and character development that position them for success in college, entrepreneurship, the workforce, and as engaged global citizens.
As YALA celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2026, we proudly reflected on two decades of transforming lives. Thanks to the generosity of our partners, donors, and supporters, we have positively impacted more than 550 young men, helping them build brighter futures rooted in excellence, integrity, and service. Together, we are not only changing individual lives—we are strengthening families, uplifting communities, and developing the next generation of leaders.
OUR MISSION
To influence the lives of African American males and empower them to reach their full potential academically and professionally as productive global citizens. To affirm their significance of greatness while building a legacy of courage, dedication and excellence.
OUR IMPACT
YALA is designed to promote and sustain learning in male participants ages 6-17. With consistent guidance and age appropriate activities, the participants are assisted in developing critical character and leadership skills. More importantly, YALA focuses on integrating service and leadership development into academic plans, career exploration, and health and wellness activities to promote members’ overall success.
Each year welcomes a fresh theme that launches them into a new experience to explore academic and career growth possibilities. We have been keeping busy with additional programming and events.
Black Boys in White Coats
AI & Engineering
Digital Storytelling
Aeronautiics
Robotics
'Careers in Sports OFF the Field.'
Year of YES - Young Entrepreneur Success
Year of the White Coat
Crafting your Artistry: Video Gaming, Chess, Fencing, Archery, Culinary, Voiceover, and Graphic Design
WE BELIEVE IN LEARNING BY DOING.....The goal is to:
Lure the Ambassador into the topic
Engage interest
Actively involve the Ambassador
Reinforce learning
OUR PROGRESS
Perhaps our progress is best told through the eyes of a single parent, raising her 14 year old son who was going astray. He was failing his classes and hanging out with the wrong kids. Her and her son met us at an MLK Jr. celebration. Although he was initially not interested in what we had to offer: mentorship, brotherhood, leadership and life skills, he made a 360 by embracing our support. By his 10th grade year, he became an A and B student and taking computer science courses, as well as, being chosen for a college internship in a computer program field. 11th grade he took 4 AP classes and was chosen to attend a leadership program during the summer at Pepperdine University. Now a CSUN Computer Science Graduate and starting his career at LADWP in IT.
"Life is not important, except in the impact you have on other lives."
Justin Kalski is an alum of YALA. His story comes full circle from being a participant in our program and graduating out in 2018 to being a teacher for our INVESTMENT 101 Series.
The 2021 class welcomed Justin and his expertise in investing in the stock market. He taught 7th to 12th graders the basics of investing.
"Mr. & Mrs. Thomas continue to be very supportive and have assisted me through some of my toughest years. I am inspired by them to be great and impactful in a world that is constantly pushing against that. I am thankful that they have given me the strength and guidance towards success and always driving me to be better."
We will keep you informed of Young Ambassadors Events. Please provide your email now!
Our 2022 Ambassadors: Brandon Berry and Massai Rodriguez graduated out of YALA. They are looking to pursue careers in Computer Science at DePaul and Engineering at Tuskegee.
Our 2021 Ambassadors: Seth Mack and Amoni Spencer graduated out of YALA. They are looking to pursue careers in Dentistry and Engineering or Law. They are both attending Pierce College.
Our 2020 Ambassadors Lives Matter! Jackson Brass, Chazdon Jeffery and Joseph Thomas graduated out of YALA. They are looking to pursue careers in Video Gaming/ Fashion Design, Engineering (Illinois Tech)and Cyber Security (Pierce College)
2019 Ambassadors Christian Defesh, Bradley Pierce and Elijah Holmes are our 2019 graduates out of the program and have bridged over to the Links Achievers program for their senior year.
2018 Ambassadors Jonathan, Amir and Justin graduated out of YALA last year and headed to college 2019. University of Nevada, University of Indiana, California State University, Northridge
OUR ALUMNI
