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Youth Black Liberation Academy (YBLA)

The Black Liberation Academy for youth is an empowerment initiative designed to uplift and engage Black youth in community, cultural development, economic skills building and civic engagement activities. It is a is a 9 month achievement program designed to stimulate, inspire and encourage leadership, cultural achievement and economic innovation among BIPOC high school students.  

 

This program, led by the Alternative Tribe, provides valuable resources, education, mentorship and financial support weekly programming to foster self development, cultural pride and intentional direction in personal behavior, community response, organizing and volunteerism. It aims to nurture leadership skills and promote a culture of self awareness, cultural identity, innovation, collective action and accountability.  It aims to nurture leadership skills and promote a culture of self awareness, cultural identity, innovation, collective action and accountability.

 

Through structured activities and mentorships, participants will learn through community-based initiatives contributing to their personal development and the collective well-being of their communities. These activities are broken up into the areas of history/culture, arts, economic skills and life skills. Central to the program's ethos is enhancing understanding and practice of collective learning, civic engagement, a trauma informed emphasis on holistic growth and development and creativity to inspire a lasting commitment to community service and innovation among BIPOC youth.

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How do I know if my child is a good fit?

Objectives and Eligibility 

Primary Objectives:

  • Increase the leadership skills of BIPOC youth

  • Foster safe community belonging for BIPOC youth

  • Increase the number of BIPOC youth leaders actively engaged in community 

  • Create a positive cultural identity for BIPOC youth

  • Increase the ability of BIPOC youth to use self determination and radical imagination in tackling issues of white supremacy and inequity

 

Program Framework

Attendance is crucial to the success of our program. Successful applicants, aged 12 to 17, agree to participate in two monthly in person gatherings as well as two virtual check ins when there are no in person meetings. Gatherings are generally scheduled on weekends for Friday evenings and Saturdays. There are also other Tribe events open to students to attend for their development free of charge. During major cultural observations such as Kwanzaa, Black History Month or Juneteenth, intensives, field trips or special events may be scheduled that youth will have the opportunity to attend. 

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Eligibility/Requirements

  • Youth aged 12 to 17 at the time of application

  • Identifies as Black, Indigenous or Person of Color (BIPOC)

  • Able to commit to two in person gatherings monthly and two virtual meetings

  • A resident of central Arkansas

  • Willingness to learn and grow

  • Openness to Pan African centered thought

  • Initiative, drive and desire to create a better future for themselves and their community

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