For Immediate Release:

King Commission Launches L.E.A.D. Apprenticeship Workshop for Youth

Little Rock - L.E.A.D. (Leadership, Education and Acceptance of Diversity) is a mentorship and leadership program, created by Executive Director DuShun Scarbrough, to enhance today’s youth through social, academic, and career opportunities. During the summer of 2012, AMLKC will launch, for the third year, the L.E.A.D. Apprenticeship Training Workshop, in which our summer youth interns participate. This workshop’s primary objectives are to develop skills in communication, conflict resolution, financial literacy, strategic thinking and marketing, etc. Education in the areas of business etiquette, entrepreneurship, and leadership are vital to this program as well.

These young individuals are placed with us, as a host site, through various agencies where they are carefully selected and are given an opportunity to participate in a paid internship with the Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission. The mission of the Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission is to promote and preserve the life and legacy of Dr. King throughout the state of Arkansas, while promoting the principles of nonviolence and equality among all citizens. AMLKC programs, such as L.E.A.D., are designed to promote educational and professional growth, while encouraging youth to engage in positive leadership development roles within their communities.

This year’s “L.E.A.D. Apprenticeship Training Workshop” consists of fifteen youth apprentices, starting at age 16. This group is filled with individuals who have positive attitudes, a willingness to work hard, as well as the drive and desire to excel in life. They also have GPA’s that range from a 3.0 to 4.0 and are actively involved in high school or college.

AMLKC is doing a great job in assisting the youth in reaching their goals by placing special emphasis upon the importance of becoming a leader and giving back to the community. The youth interns have been diligent in arranging in state college tours, as well as setting up meetings with some of the state’s dignitaries. These key individuals will serve as positive role models and will influence the lives of the youth in working toward becoming future business leaders in their prospective areas.

One component of this program, that the AMLKC is proud to announce, is the newly formed partnership with A-1 Thompson Driving School in Little Rock, AR. DuShun Scarbrough states, “the summer youth interns will have an opportunity to engage in courses and classroom lectures that will help them prepare for their learner’s permits as well as provide other important information on topics such as drinking and driving, defensive driving techniques, driving under special conditions and accidents and insurance.” Another component is a newly designed ACT preparation course for future college students.

The L.E.A.D. Apprenticeship Training Workshop takes place every summer and plays an active role in society. For more information, please contact the Arkansas MLK Office during regular business hours (8:00 am – 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday) and visit our website www.ARKingDream.org, our Facebook www.Facebook.com/ARKingDream.org, and our Twitter www.Twitter.com/AMLKC.

Person of Contact:

DuShun Scarbrough

Executive Director

(501) 683-1300

DuShun.Scarbrough@arkansas.gov

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