New Investment Aims To Help More Black Students

Jill Sheridan

Local leaders came together Monday for an announcement at the Center for Leadership Development, CLD, in Indianapolis.

A $2 million gift from IU Health Foundation will allow the center to expand services through its new RISE campaign. CLD President Dennis Bland said the grant will focus on youth.

"To help transform and elevate the academic performance of African American students across the city," Bland said.

Bland said too many youth are falling behind academically. The funds will help establish satellite offices in neighborhoods to reach more youth, add staffing and programming and expand its current facility.

The Indianapolis nonprofit currently serves about 4,000 students a year and hopes to increase that to 6,500. Bland said the investment aims to improve more than educational attainment.

"This is economic development and it’s quality of life development, not just for the young people but for their families and our entire city," Bland said.

CLD has provided services in Indianapolis for over 40 years.

Contact WFYI city government and policy reporter Jill Sheridan at jsheridan@wfyi.org. Follow on Twitter: @JillASheridan.

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