Teen Leaders of Tomorrow: A Journey of Growth and Achievement

In a world where only a handful of Fortune 500 companies are led by Black CEOs, a unique program is stepping in to bridge the gap. The Leadership Inside-Out program is not just another class; it's an eight-week journey that helps high school freshmen and sophomores navigate the path to success. At West Charlotte High School, students are learning more than just academics. They're learning life skills that will help them make better decisions and achieve their goals. Jayla Freeman and Hebron Samson, two straight-A students, are part of this transformative experience. They're not just focusing on their grades; they're learning how to set and achieve smaller goals that will eventually lead them to their bigger dreams. The program is free for students, thanks to the support of Barings investment company and AvidXchange. It's a targeted effort to make a significant impact in one school, rather than spreading resources thin across multiple locations.The program's leader, Marlon Smith, is seeing real results. Students are more engaged, their grades are improving, and they're understanding the value of community service. Jayla and Hebron have noticed changes in themselves too. Jayla is more comfortable talking to people and stepping out of her comfort zone. Hebron is seizing more opportunities and building connections with others. The program uses the book \"Living with Purpose\" as a guide, focusing on building winning habits. Smith emphasizes the importance of repetition in forming habits. Once something becomes easy and pleasurable, it's more likely to become a habit. Hebron sees this program as an opportunity to stand out from his peers. With about 100 students already completing the program, Leadership Inside-Out is also offering college campus tours to broaden students' horizons.