Serving Tomorrow’s Leaders
We are dedicated to serving tomorrow's leaders by providing the essential building blocks and supports to ensure their success. Our vision is to create a community where every young person has the resources, guidance, and opportunities they need to thrive.
Equipping Today's Youth
Our mission is to equip today's youth to transition into a healthy, balanced, and successful life. We are committed to delivering knowledge, wisdom, and hands-on experiences that prepare young individuals for real-world challenges and opportunities.
Empowering and Inspiring
- Provide mentorship and leadership programs to empower youth.
- Strengthen foundational skills in areas such as mechanics, home economics, and financial literacy.
- Foster positive life survival skills and encourage a sense of community.
- Create a platform for young people to take pride in their accomplishments and acquire valuable knowledge and skills.
Who We Are
The Advantage Mentorship and Leadership Academy was created to address the tremendous challenges, temptations, and obstacles faced by today’s youth. Recognizing the need for additional support, guidance, and opportunities, our program was designed to offer an extra layer of love and support. The inspiration behind our academy stems from personal experiences and a deep understanding of the struggles that fragmented families face.
Our founder, Kisha Shell, witnessed firsthand the impact of the "crack epidemic" in the 80s on her family. Despite the adversities, her mother strived to provide a proper upbringing through various afterschool programs, community centers, and a nurturing babysitter who was a former educator. These experiences played a crucial role in shaping who she is today.
Understanding that many families are in survival mode, we created this program to fill the gaps and provide enriching experiences outside of their immediate communities. Our goal is to equip the next generation with civic-mindedness, leadership skills, self-sufficiency, life skills, personal development, proper etiquette, and grooming. By emphasizing these areas, we aim to provide the social mobility needed to navigate life successfully.
What We Do
Engaging and Interactive Learning!
We pour into today's youth by providing fun, engaging, and unique learning opportunities. Through hands-on and instructor-led programs, our mentoring sessions prepare the next generation for what lies ahead. Our approach focuses on four key tenets to ensure holistic development:
- Personal Growth and Development: We nurture the inner potential of each youth through activities that promote self-awareness, resilience, and leadership.
- Financial Education: We teach essential financial literacy skills, including budgeting, saving, and investing, to empower youth to make informed financial decisions.
- Hygiene and Abstinence: We emphasize the importance of personal hygiene and making healthy choices, fostering a foundation for physical and emotional well-being.
- Home Economics: We equip youth with practical skills such as cooking, home maintenance, and time management, preparing them for independent living.
By incorporating these tenets, we provide hands-on and interactive learning experiences that ensure real-world life lessons are learned and implemented.
Our Founding
A Vision for Betterment
"I've always desired to see our people do and be better. I've always been a fan of the underdog. Over the years, I've observed the plight of those in less fortunate circumstances. Oftentimes, the reason people never reach their potential is because their foundation isn't strong and stable. I aim to assist those who desire more and better to achieve their goals. Sometimes, that means going back to the basics to propel into the future. Hence, the name The Advantage Mentorship and Leadership Academy was born. The Academy is a meaningful way for our community to combine resources, skills, and abilities to create opportunities for young people to gain wisdom, knowledge, and a multitude of experiences that will ultimately translate into building a stronger community."
– Kisha Shell, Founder
Dedicated Leadership
Our Board Members are passionate individuals committed to guiding and supporting our mission. Their diverse expertise and dedication help drive the vision of The Advantage Mentorship and Leadership Academy forward, ensuring we make a significant impact in our community.
Board Members
Antionette Cowan
Vice President
Kayla Shell
Secretary
To Be Announced
Treasurer
To Be Announced
Board Member
Join Us in Making a Difference!
Whether you're a parent, donor, community partner, or sponsor, your support helps us empower the next generation. Contact us today to learn more about our programs and how you can get involved.
