It began as an idea in the mind of one of the Indianapolis African-American community’s leading entrepreneurs and businessmen S. Henry Bundles. He had a vision to create an organization that would motivate African-American high school students to develop leadership skills, self-awareness and self worth and inspire them to finish high school, attend college and go into business or a profession. Bundles called his new organization the Center for Leadership Development. And it began with a series of evening and Saturday classes for area Black high school students in Self Discovery and Self Exploration. Now nearly four decades later, the Center for Leadership Development, CLD, has become a major success story in Indianapolis and the country. Thousands of African-Americans have attended their classes, workshops and programs through the years. Those young people have gone on to success, many graduating college; becoming parents who are sending their children through CLD programs. Programs that begin as young as fourth grade all the way to freshmen in college. A special edition of Afternoons with Amos, originated from CLD’s headquarters on Dr. Martin Luther King Street across the street from Flanner House and Watkins Park. Amos, who was a CLD facilitator during the program’s inaugural year, talked with Center for Leadership Development staff about their many programs for area youth and the success story that CLD has made for itself. 
Appearing on the program live from the Lilly CLD Achievement Center were: Dennis Bland, President, Center for Leadership Development who gave Amos and listeners and overview of CLD, its programs, mission and history. Programs for youth are a critical part of CLD. From the long running Self Discover/Self Exploration Programs, to Project MR and Precious Miss, to Success Prep and the Rawls Scholars Medicine Initiative and many more. Explaining those programs were Robert Marshall, CLD’s Senior Director of Programs and Program Coordinators Yolanda McTush & Jonathan Jones. One of the major programs of CLD is their College Prep Institute. Trained counselors provide guidance for Black high school students and even middle school students on how to prepare for college while still in high school and middle school. Tips on financial aid, scholarships and more are available from College Prep Institute. Amos talked with College Prep Institute Director Reggie Session and three College Prep Institute Counselors, Linda Bingham, Lena Hill and Lade Akande. A major new priority of CLD is reconnecting with those who participated in past CLD programs over these thirty-eight years. Many of CLD’s staff, beginning with President Dennis Bland, attended CLD programs when they were in high school. Now CLD’s trying to re-engage its alumni to help as facilitators, resource persons and even financial contributors. Terry Kenny, a CLD Fund Development Associate talked about the CLD alumni effort. Top top officials of IU Health, Kelvin Wade and Steve Jones, both past Presidents of CLD’s Alumni Association talked about their experiences with CLD and the importance of alumni engagement. Colleen Heeter, CLD’s Senior Manager of Fund Development and Fund Development Manager Ron Brown and Marketing/Recruitment Associate Joi Harmon talked about ways the community can help support CLD. Click the Media Player To Hear About this Indianapolis Education Success Story CLD, the Center for Leadership Development. Audio ©2014 WTLC/Radio One. Part One Runs 57 Minutes. Part Two Runs 39 Minutes.
