Founded in 1977, the Center for Leadership Development is working to foster the advancement of minority youth in Indianapolis. 

Dennis Bland, President of the Center for Leadership Development, says the organization is focused on creating the next generation of community and business leaders in central Indiana. He says that type of work “is important because youth are important.” 

Bland says affirming young people and saying their lives are important and invaluable is critical to their development and self-realization so that they can impact their communities. While many youth have no direction and a low sense of self-identity, the Center for Leadership Development wants to give them dignity, hope, and a place to be cared for. “Those types of spaces are so important for young people.” 

Bland also says the programming gives families an avenue of hope. He says nurturing youth and putting talent back into the community is key to creating more community leaders.