Mission

The Leadership Development Citizenship Education Initiative (LDCEI) seeks to equip high school students, primarily sophomores to seniors, with vital leadership skills. LDCEI aims to develop a 21st century generation of leaders. Its mission starts with young people, particularly those who demonstrate the potential to comprehend and apply the fundamental principles needed by leaders, as well as those who, by virtue of their age and education, are often looked upon as role models. This Institute is sponsored by the Southern Region of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and is one of five institutes across the nation held annually.

The LDI curriculum is designed around three central components: (1) Leadership, (2) Citizenship, and (3) Higher Education. In addition to the workshops on Leadership skills, the Institute has Oratorical, Poetry, and Talent competitions as well as other scholarship activities.

History

The Leadership Development and Citizenship Education Initiative is a national effort of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. that aims to develop a 21st century generation of leaders. This program was initiated in the Southern Region during the administration of Dr. A.M. Witherspoon, Southern Regional Vice President.

Because of the history of leadership and modeling leaders in Alpha Phi Alpha, Dr. Witherspoon inspired that Alpha to be the vanguard organization for assisting young people in becoming leaders. Dr. Henry Ponder, the program’s first coordinator, and future General President began working with a group of high school students on parliamentary procedures and public speaking in the early 1980s.

Between 1988 and 1990, focus areas were expanded under the leadership of Dr. John Kelley and Dr. Clarence Christian to include many of the Fraternity’s national and special programs including voting education, responsible sexual activity, and going to college.