Know our history.

Encouraging Leaders (EL) is an African American-based non-profit organization that has been at the forefront of empowering African American youths to gain leadership and income-generating skills through harnessing their talents. EL also impacts them with life skills to enable them to change their worldview and stay away from risky behaviors such as violence, radicalization, gang activities, drug and substance abuse, prostitution, etc.    EL was formed as the result of the founder’s vision of an avenue where the young people of color can express their grievances and gain recognition rather than violence.

The founders witnessed the youth of color undergoing violence and risking being killed due to the radical approaches employed by the youths. Hence, the founder has a vision of preventing one more youth of color from losing his or her live. EL has been the anchor of the north Minneapolis youths by providing a safe space to be empowered and dream again. Some of the youths’ challenges included a high rate of poverty leading to school dropout and lack of equal opportunities, especially for the African American youths from lower socio-economic backgrounds. EL has made African American youths’ dream of a better tomorrow through a positive change of their mindset and pushing the need for educational accomplishment.

Over the years, we have touched the lives of several young people across Minneapolis, and its environs. Our programs positively impacted the local communities and provided huge gains in transforming the lives of several dwellers. We have utilized significant amount of our resources to ensure young people are provided the needed support required to remain positive and contribute tremendously to their communities and society.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

Successfully hosted the Let’s Do Summit to support youth entrepreneurship. Over 1,000 young people attended, and young people were provided opportunity to share resources and thoughts.

Organized Several events, discussions, and research about community issues, concerns, and ways to amplify community voices and address them. Conducted peace patrols around Minneapolis to gather feedback.  Got feedback from more than 5,000 residents of Twin Cities.

Launched the “We Can’t Breathe Coalition” after the murder of George Floyd and conducted over 10 vaccination campaigns and events, vaccinating over 5,000 people across Minneapolis and Hennepin County.

Implemented the “Teen Tek Program”, focusing on training youth and young adults about internet safety while teaching multimedia skills such as

videography, photography, graphic design, and web development.

Hosted Summer musical program for youth where 150 youth graduated and received different classes of awards from the City of Minneapolis.

Conducted distributions of self-testing HIV kits through the Pride Twin Cities Festival – over 500 residents received the kits and got tested.

Assisted hundreds of homeless people during our various outreach and community events. The assistance centered around the provision of housing and other basic resources.

Assisted more than 1,000 residents of Hennepin County and its environs in accessing rehab services through our programs and events featured in the Minnesota star Tribune and WCCO under the title “Minnesotans United Against Opioids”.

Conducted Covid -19 vaccination campaigns and other related activities in Minneapolis and its environs. Through our social media platforms, we reached out to over 25,000 residents of Minnesota, and basic prevention and vaccination information were shared.

Facilitated and conducted several media, digital skills training, and internship program for youth through our annual summer and after-school programs.

Implemented Drug-Free Community initiatives across Minneapolis and its environs. Our initiatives have touched the lives of more than 1,000 young people.

We launched a Social Media Platform named and styled “Minnesota Accelerated Case Management Service – Minnesota Blessing”; this service has a  membership of over 25,000 persons across Minnesota. It is an initiative that was structured to assist people in Minnesota with basic needs such as food, minimal financial aid, housing, mentorship, and case management. It has touched the lives of over 10,000 residents of Minnesota.