Youth leadership program seeks funding
The leadership of the local African American community is aging, and there are not enough young Black men and women being trained to move into those positions as they become open.
The Rev. Charles Becknell Sr., a longtime educator, civil rights leader, author and community activist, is trying to fill that gap through his African American Youth Leadership Program, which teaches young people attending the University of New Mexico the necessary skills “to succeed in the workplace, in the community and in life.”
Currently, these young people “get their degree, go to work, and the movement stagnates,” he said. “So what I wanted to do was take 10 or 12 potential leaders, male and female, and teach them leadership skills so that they are prepared when they graduate from college to not only know how to get a job, keep a job and survive on the job, but also how to provide leadership in their various communities.”
The first group of 10 young people completed the program in June, and unless Becknell can find sponsors, it’s not clear when or if there will be another group, he said. Funding for the pilot program came via a one-time $30,000 grant from the city of Albuquerque’s Office of Equity and Inclusion. Becknell is hopeful that people and organizations will see the benefit and want to help keep the program going through donations.
The 10 students met once a week for 14 weeks and heard presentations about job skills, leadership skills, workplace ethics, workplace communication, self-esteem, conflict resolution, setting goals and dressing for success.
In addition, each student received a $100 stipend for each session attended, money that they could use toward their education and living expenses, Becknell said. None of the people involved in leading the program received payment.
Upon completion of the course, a graduation ceremony was held in which each student received a certificate and an iPad.
Kaleb Bradley, 21, a UNM junior majoring in environmental planning and design, said the program gave him a better understanding of the skills necessary to succeed in a job and to be a leader. In particular, “a good leader knows how to just be silent, watch and listen before speaking.”
Bradley, who said he hopes one day to be a city planner, has already put some of those leadership skills to the test during his current internship with the Bernalillo County Planning and Development Department. “I sit and watch and speak as I’m able. Just understanding what people are saying the first time, I think, is important.”
Chiamaka Okoye, 19, a sophomore at UNM majoring in business administration said the program underscored for her the importance of “trying to do more for the community by giving and volunteering, instead of always taking.” She also said she wants to teach people how to best work together as a group toward a common goal.
Okoye said she plans to go on to grad school and then law school, with the goal of becoming a malpractice lawyer and assisting people of color who have issues with health care.
For further information or to make a donation, call, 505-892-8502.