ORGANIZED FOR LIFE

One of LKB's first Leadership Academy graduates from the 98/99 program year, Renita graduated with honors from the University of Texas at Austin in May 2003 with a Bachelor of Business Administration and Management Information Systems. During her four years at UT, Renita had the privilege of serving as President of her sorority, Alpha Lambda Omega Christian Sorority, Inc. and was a co-founder of UT Blacks Online Magazine. Renita was offered a job in Dallas at Accenture, a global consulting firm. In addition to working for Accenture, she manages her own graphic and web design business. She is the proud web designer for the LKB Memorial Foundation.  -Renita Joyce Smith

“The Academy has helped me to become a better person. Upon my entrance into the academy, my desire was completely different. Now, since I stuck with the Academy, my mindset and attitude towards life and people have dramatically changed. The Academy challenged me, encouraged me, and helped reveal who I really am. I came into the Academy as a caterpillar and I left as a butterfly.”  -Jasmine S. Smith

“The Academy has taught me how to speak with confidence and pride. The Academy has developed my speaking skills and has also taught me the true meaning of friendship.”  -Lawanda R. Grant

“The Academy taught me to accept people for who they are because we had a diverse environment. It pushed me to work at my full potential.”  -Leah R. Marshall

“I received a lot from the Saturday meetings. I remember a speech on “ Keeping It Real Through Communication”. It was then that I first learned how to communicate within myself. It was through writing that speech that I stated and wrote my goals and values to remind myself each day of what I was pressing towards.”  -Adrienne P. Smith

“The Academy has taught me not only to be a good leader, but to also be a good follower.”  -Shandalyn P. Woolridge

“ The experience with the Academy has been one that my daughter will never forget. The Academy encouraged my daughter to build relationships with her peers, with me as a parent and others that she comes in contact with. Her self-esteem improved and she was able to open up to share her feelings, thoughts and dreams with those who worked with her in the Academy. Once she discovered herself, she was able to understand how she can use her leadership skills to communicate with others through public speaking, writing or just being an example to others. The Academy helped reinforce that helping others and being an asset to her community should be a part of her being. I have seen my daughter change into a young lady who is confident, more outgoing and ambitious in achieving her goals.”  -Beverly Morgan