Championing the well-being, development and advancement of Black youth; Leadership By Design Offers SummerUp 2023

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

The Lifelong Leadership Institute (LLI) through its signature flagship program Leadership by Design continues to make a difference in the lives of Black, African, and Canadian youths across the Greater Toronto Area. It is currently accepting applications for fall 2023 at the website: www.1lilelongleaders,com.

Students who have completed Grade 9 and are starting Grade 10 in September 2023 are encouraged to apply. The LBD is intended to inspire and prepare our youth to be responsible leaders at all times, in all spaces, locally, and for the good of all.

The special programs titled “SummerUp 2023,” are designed to serve and support the personal and professional aspirations of Ontario’s Black youth. The program is developed and presented by the Lifelong Leadership Institute, and the quality of the SummerUp experience is assured by the contributions of a diverse group of individuals, educators, institutions and corporations. All are committed to championing the well-being, development and advancement of Black youth.

One of the SummerUp courses being offered is titled, “SummerUp Electronics & Robotic – Using the Arduino.” In this course participants will learn the basis of the physical and programming components necessary to create circuits and devices. Through activities using a virtual circuit simulator and a physical electronic kit, students will practice creating technological solutions to real-world solutions.

Another one of the SummerUp programs is “Microsoft Excel – An Introduction.” This course introduces the effective use of Excel, which is a part of a package of business applications known as Microsoft 365 (formerly known as Microsoft Office). Among other applications, Microsoft 365 includes: Excel, Word and PowerPoint. This course can potentially benefit high school or post-secondary students by ensuring that they understand that without data-management skills, it is near impossible to be proficient in most careers. Learning Excel will appeal to the student who understands the value of adding expertise in Excel to their resume. Students who have no previous knowledge of Microsoft Excel, or little knowledge will benefit from these three virtual sessions held on: Monday, August 14^th, Tuesday, August 15^th, and Wednesday, August 16^th.

One of the unique programs that LLI will be offering during the summer of 2023 (in partnership with University of Toronto School) is Global Perspectives. In the promotional material sent by the LLI, it states that in this big-ideas course students will explore big thoughts and concepts through reading, writing and unusual games. They will collaborate in their search for new knowledge, and they will end up more curious than ever. As well, they will improve their writing skills. If ever there was a course that gave students a challenging and enjoyable platform for learning, and preparing for school in September, this one-week course is it.

Some of the benefits of Global Perspectives include the following:

• An opportunity for Black youth to socialize and collaborate
• Pathways for unconventional ways of thinking and viewing their world
• An environment for fresh and novel ideas
• An innovative platform for learning and future academic success
• Exercises that develop writing and discussion skills

Students who are accepted in this SummerUp program will engage in five days of classes from Monday, July 31^st to Friday, August 4^th at the University of Toronto School located near the intersection of Spadina Avenue and Bloor Street. There will be a showcase of student’s work and a tour of the UTS campus for any interested parents.

Anyone interested in learning about LBD can check the following:

Website:www.ifelongleader.com