S1E13: Developing Major League Citizens: Inside L.E.A.D.’s Mission to Uplift Atlanta’s Youth (C.J. & Kelli Stewart, Co-Founders of L.E.A.D. Center for Youth)

What if the key to ending generational poverty wasn’t just access, but advocacy, athletics, and accountability?

In this episode of Think Bigger Voices, host Jennie Treby travels to Atlanta to sit down with C.J. and Kelli Stewart, the powerhouse couple behind the L.E.A.D. Center for Youth. L.E.A.D.—short for Launch, Expose, Advise, and Direct—is transforming the lives of Black youth in Atlanta through sports-based youth development. From baseball diamonds to life coaching certifications, CJ and Kelli share how they’re helping at-risk boys and girls overcome life’s “curveballs” including crime, poverty, and racism with confidence, discipline, and purpose.

Listen in to learn:

●     Why sports like baseball and tennis are powerful tools for social-emotional growth and academic self-efficacy.

●     How L.E.A.D. integrates trauma-informed programming, civic engagement, and mentorship starting as early as 3rd grade.

●     What “major league citizens” are—and why C.J. and Kelli hold every student to that standard.

●     How L.E.A.D. is building future philanthropists, entrepreneurs, and leaders by turning kids into alumni investors.

●     The Stewarts’ new venture to elevate coaching standards with Pedagogy for Pros.

With the right support and structure, young people don’t just survive adversity; they lead through it.

Links:

LEAD Center for Youth

Think Big for Kids

More about the Stewarts

CJ Stewart on LinkedIn

Kelli Stewart on LinkedIn

About host Jennie Treby

Jennie Treby on LinkedIn

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