Welcome Message from Chester D. Thompson, D.Sc. BMLDI Co-Director
Welcome and congratulations on your acceptance to the Black Male Leadership Development Institute (BMLDI) cohort class of 2015. Since its inception, BMLDI has, and continues, to serve an important role in the development of our young African-American men. Like many of my colleagues who have preceded me, I hope to continue in the high standard and rich tradition of ensuring the success of our youth. My late friend and colleague, Dr. Rex Crawely, believed that our nation’s future rest on the success of our youth. To that end, we must encourage young people to pursue higher education in all fields of human endeavor. We cannot shut our doors and think that because our kids are ok that everything is ok. As a result, the goal of BMLDI is simply to cultivate and ensure the success and future life outcomes of young black men and pave the way for a brighter tomorrow.
The Black Male Leadership Development Institute (BMLDI) is a program that ties African American boys in grades 9 through 12 together in a year-long program. The program aims to increase educational and leadership opportunities for selected applicants. In addition, the institute cultivates high school age men by leveraging their existing competencies and expands them into a series of leadership skills that can have a real-world impact in their local communities. Furthermore, by creating a supportive and engaged learning environment and offering a stimulating curriculum, participants will acquire leadership skills that can help change their life outcomes.
BMLDI is co-sponsored by the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh and Robert Morris University (RMU). The program year kicks off with a week-long residential program, located on the RMU Moon campus, that commences on Father's day in June and concludes the following Saturday. Throughout the week students partake in seminars, workshops, panel discussions, and leadership exercises. Also, members listen to a myriad of keynote speakers on topics ranging from value clarification, identity formation, visioning, community engagement, networking, fatherhood, personal accountability and the media’s portrayal of African American manhood.
This community outreach initiative is made possible by donations from The Heinz Endowments and The Buhl Foundation.
Here are just a few suggestions to help your experience rewarding and enriching:
Welcome and Congratulations!
Chester D. Thompson, D.Sc.
The Black Male Leadership Development Institute (BMLDI) is a program that ties African American boys in grades 9 through 12 together in a year-long program. The program aims to increase educational and leadership opportunities for selected applicants. In addition, the institute cultivates high school age men by leveraging their existing competencies and expands them into a series of leadership skills that can have a real-world impact in their local communities. Furthermore, by creating a supportive and engaged learning environment and offering a stimulating curriculum, participants will acquire leadership skills that can help change their life outcomes.
BMLDI is co-sponsored by the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh and Robert Morris University (RMU). The program year kicks off with a week-long residential program, located on the RMU Moon campus, that commences on Father's day in June and concludes the following Saturday. Throughout the week students partake in seminars, workshops, panel discussions, and leadership exercises. Also, members listen to a myriad of keynote speakers on topics ranging from value clarification, identity formation, visioning, community engagement, networking, fatherhood, personal accountability and the media’s portrayal of African American manhood.
This community outreach initiative is made possible by donations from The Heinz Endowments and The Buhl Foundation.
Here are just a few suggestions to help your experience rewarding and enriching:
- · Think ahead look ahead
- · Develop good listening skills
- · Adapt and overcome to the situation
- · Take plenty of notes
- · Ask questions
- · Be engaged
- · Have fun
Welcome and Congratulations!
Chester D. Thompson, D.Sc.
