Programs & Initiatives

Center for Leadership Development programs equip students and parents with the tools, character development, values, and skills they need to flourish and overcome obstacles while enriching their communities. Through Indianapolis Youth Development, CLD
prepares students for a lifetime of success. More than 50,000 students and families have been impacted by CLD and are now leading, serving, and transforming their communities.

Each and every individual has the potential to thrive and excel at the highest level of achievement and become positive influencers in their community regardless of background, income, race, or zip code.

Recognizing the need to reach and elevate more youth, CLD programs are now being offered at satellite and in-school locations in addition to CLD. Participants in these programs increase their school attendance and academic performance as well as become positive role models for their peers.

  • All
  • 4th
  • 5th
  • 6th
  • 7th
  • 8th
  • 9th
  • 10th
  • 11th
  • 12th
  • Parents
  • Workshops
  • Rising 9th
  • College
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Purdue Bowen CLD Engineering Initiative

October 3, 2023 & November 11, 2023
Aspiring engineers are encouraged to apply! Made possible by the support of Bowen Engineering and in partnership with Purdue University IDEAS Learning Community, participants take a hands-on learning approach to engineering concepts and complete a group project.

Registration Closed (Spots Filled)

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Cummins-CLD HBCU Homecoming

June 26, 2023
Brought to you by the collaboration of CLD and Cummins, this event is designed to empower high school students and provide them with a unique opportunity to explore the world of HBCUs.

Registration Closed

CLD Leadership Speakers Series

February – December 2024
This Leadership Speaker Series will focus on the Principles for Success and how each principle aligns with their professional life and careers.

Register

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5th Power Leadership Conference

May 18, 2024
This Leadership Conference will focus on the Principles for Success and how each principle aligns with their professional life and careers.

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Business Orientation Project (BOP)

January 13 – March 23, 2024 | 11 weekly sessions
Partnering with the Kelley School of Business, local human resource leaders and educators will engage, instruct, lead, and prepare CLD students to be successful in the workforce.

Registration Closed

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Chase CLD Youth Summit

Saturday, July 29, 2023
This once-a-year opportunity allows select student leaders who have expressed a career interest in business or finance to engage in a series of related workshops.

Register

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College Prep – Summer

May 28 – June 22, 2024 | 2 sessions for 4 weeks
Students and parents gain knowledge from collegiate guest speakers and current college students about proper planning and campus life. Program culminates in a college tour.

Register

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College Prep – Fall

September 20 – October 14, 2023| 2 sessions for 4 weeks
Students and parents gain knowledge from collegiate guest speakers and current college students about proper planning and campus life. Program culminates in a college tour.

Registration Closed

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College Prep Conference & College Fair

Saturday, September 16, 2023
This full-day conference provides hundreds of participants throughout the state and surrounding areas the unique opportunity to learn important fundamentals about the path to college.

Register

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Cummins-CLD Senior Leadership Speaker Series

June 13, 2024
Cummins Inc., a global power technology leader, is offering CLD alumni an opportunity to learn about the company. Join us and meet with Cummins executive leaders to continue our new CLD Pipeline Program through the Cummins-CLD Senior Leadership Speaker Series.

Register

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Emerging Scholars

October 21, 2023
During this one-day experience, participants learn from CLD’s college partners about outside scholarships, how to apply for financial aid, and more. Senior graduates of the Self-Discovery and College Prep program receive formal CLD scholarship applications.

Registration Closed

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Imani Book Club – Summer

June 4 – July 18, 2024 | 6 weekly sessions
In this summer reading program, students improve their reading and comprehension skills and learn about the many reasons to appreciate the written word.

Register

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Imani Book Club: Central Library

June 21 – July 19, 2023 | 6 weekly sessions
In this summer reading program, students improve their reading and comprehension skills and learn about the many reasons to appreciate the written word.

Registration Closed

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IU Bowen CLD Business Initiative

Thursday, October 12th
With the IU Bowen CLD Business Initiative, students and supportive adults learn about academic, professional, and social opportunities in the business field through the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University Bloomington.

Registration Closed

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Jr. Self-Discovery

July 29 – September 7, 2024 | 8 weekly sessions
During this exciting journey of self-discovery, elementary-age youth learn effective communication skills, successful study habits, and leadership behaviors.

Register

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Lilly Corporate Youth Summit

February 19, 2024
This three-phase opportunity introduces 11th and 12th graders to career possibilities at Eli Lilly and Company through workshops, tours, and networking that ends with possible internship and job opportunities.

Registration Closed

Parents

Parents Chat

This parent program covers issues that impact today’s youth with a series of meetings, activities, and peer-to-peer networking.

Registration Closed

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Precious Miss – Spring

March 5 – April 27, 2024 | 8 weekly sessions
During this eight-week program, girls strengthen their self-esteem, identify positive friendships and relationships, develop a healthy body image, embrace educational values, and create life-long achievement goals.

Registration Closed

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Precious Miss – Fall

September 26 – November 18, 2023 | 8 weekly sessions
During this eight-week program, girls strengthen their self-esteem, identify positive friendships and relationships, develop a healthy body image, embrace educational values, and create life-long achievement goals.

Registration Closed

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Precious Miss: Belzer Middle School (In-School)

April 5th – May 17th, 2023
During this eight-week program, girls strengthen their self-esteem, identify positive friendships and relationships, develop a healthy body image, embrace educational values, and create life-long achievement goals.

Registration Closed

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Precious Miss: Fall Creek Valley Middle School (In-School)

Date TBD
During this eight-week program, girls strengthen their self-esteem, identify positive friendships and relationships, develop a healthy body image, embrace educational values, and create life-long achievement goals.

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Precious Miss: Cafe Community Alliance of the Far Eastside (CAFE) (Satellite)

September 5th – October 24th, 2023
During this eight-week program, girls strengthen their self-esteem, identify positive friendships and relationships, develop a healthy body image, embrace educational values, and create life-long achievement goals.

Registration Closed

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Precious Miss: Moorhead Community Resource Center (Satellite)

March 7 – May 9, 2023
During this eight-week program, girls strengthen their self-esteem, identify positive friendships and relationships, develop a healthy body image, embrace educational values, and create life-long achievement goals.

Registration Closed

Indianapolis Youth Development
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Project MR. (Male Responsibility) – Spring

April 6th- May 11 | 6 weekly sessions
During six weekly sessions, young men will learn the significance of being a responsible male, defusing challenging pressures, setting high academic and career goals, working collaboratively, and communicating effectively.

Register

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Project MR.: Belzer Middle School (Satellite)

April 5 – May 24, 2023 | 6 weekly sessions
During six weekly sessions, young men will learn the significance of being a responsible male, defusing challenging pressures, setting high academic and career goals, working collaboratively, and communicating effectively.

Registration Closed

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Project MR.: Fall Creek Valley Middle School (Satellite)

April 3 – May 22, 2023
During six weekly sessions, young men will learn the significance of being a responsible male, defusing challenging pressures, setting high academic and career goals, working collaboratively, and communicating effectively.

Registration Closed

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Project MR. (Male Responsibility) – Fall

September 30 – November 1, 2023 | 6 weekly sessions
During six weekly sessions, young men will learn the significance of being a responsible male, defusing challenging pressures, setting high academic and career goals, working collaboratively, and communicating effectively.

Registration Closed

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Project MR.: Community Alliance of the Far Eastside (CAFE) (Satellite)

September 5th – October 10th, 2023
During six weekly sessions, young men will learn the significance of being a responsible male, defusing challenging pressures, setting high academic and career goals, working collaboratively, and communicating effectively.

Registration Closed

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Project MR.: Moorhead Community Resource Center (Satellite)

March 7 – April 25, 2023
During six weekly sessions, young men will learn the significance of being a responsible male, defusing challenging pressures, setting high academic and career goals, working collaboratively, and communicating effectively.

Registration Closed

Registration Closed

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Purdue Agriculture Initiative

August 6 & August 10, 2024
In partnership with Purdue University, CLD’s Purdue Agriculture Initiative provides students and supportive adults with the opportunity to engage in hands-on projects, learn more about the agriculture industry, tour Purdue’s campus, and experience the School of Agriculture program.

Register

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Rawls Scholars Medicine Initiative

February 1 – March 7, 2024 | 6 weekly sessions
Thanks to our partnership with Eskenazi Health, youth receive firsthand knowledge about the diverse careers in the medical field and an inside perspective from medical professionals.

Registration Closed

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Role Model / Advisor Experience

Saturday, July 22, 2023
Youth and their parents converse and network with professionals from career fields that match the student’s individual career aspirations.

Registration Closed

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SAT Prep – Summer

July 8 – August 12, 2024 | 6 weekly sessions
This program provides students with valuable insight, test-taking strategies, and practical training on improving math and written scores.

Register

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SAT Prep – Fall

October 16 – November 20, 2023 | 6 weekly sessions
This program provides students with valuable insight, test-taking strategies, and practical training on improving math and written scores.

Cancelled

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Self-Discovery/Career Exploration Project

January 29 – April 27, 2024 | 13 weekly sessions
In this rigorous and life-changing experience, participants discover how to achieve their personal, educational, and career goals. Self-Discovery/Career Exploration Project (SD/CE) is prerequisite for other exciting opportunities including becoming a CLD scholar.

Registration Closed

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Success Prep – Summer

June 1 – June 22, 2024 | 4 weekly sessions
Success Prep is an in-depth high school readiness program exclusively for students entering 9th grade and their supportive adults that culminates in a college tour.

Register

Workshops

Workshops

CLD’s workshop series covers topics reflecting student success and the academic journey. Workshops are free. Attendance at all workshops is not required. Register today and refer a friend!

Workshops

Workshop Series: OAKS Leadership Institute

June 12 – July 06, 2023
CLD’s workshop series covers topics reflecting student success and the academic journey. Workshops are free. Attendance at all workshops is not required. Register today and refer a friend!

Registration Closed

Workshops

Community Workshops

CLD’s workshop series covers topics reflecting student success and the academic journey. Workshops are free. Attendance at all workshops is not required. Register today and refer a friend!

Workshops

Workshop Series: Center for the Far Eastside (CAFE)

June 12 – July 20, 2023
CLD’s workshop series covers topics reflecting student success and the academic journey. Workshops are free. Attendance at all workshops is not required. Register today and refer a friend!

Registration Closed

Become a CLD Facilitator

The Center for Leadership Development depends on more than 200 volunteer program facilitators to accomplish our mission of advancing minority youth to be future professional, business, and community leaders. Our need for volunteers is always growing to assist with Indianapolis Youth Development.


"We are committed to inspiring young people to
maximize their abilities." Dennis Bland, President & Facilitator