Services:
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
The Legacy Institute will consist of 24 academic programs and
interest areas:
• Banking
• Black History
• Career Exploration
• Chess
• Civics and Politics
• Coding
• Completing the Application
• Credit 101
• Debate
• Education
• Engineering
• Entrepreneurship
• Entry Level Job Preparation
• Food and Nutrition
• Health and wellness
• Journalistic and Creative Writing
• Leadership
• Music/Entertainment Management and Production
• Professional Development & College Preparation
• Real Estate
• Sex Education
• STEM
• Technology
• Trades, Specialties and Certification
• Brief descriptions for each course follow:
Banking: This course will provide students with a valuable overview of the
main concepts of our banks and financial system. Students will develop a
foundation in the economic, financial, technological, international, social and
ethical aspects of banking. Topics will include the role of money in the modern
economy, principal functions of financial institutions, services of banking,
comparison of business opportunities, mortgage transactions and theories that
influence international business. Additionally, students will learn the basics
such as the different types of bank accounts, personal finance, and checkbook
etiquette throughout this course.
Black History: Throughout this course, students will gain a sense of deeper
meaning and self-worth as they explore the past, present and future of their
heritage. Students will study the African diaspora, locations black people
descended from, places black people still reside internationally, and the racial
discrimination faced worldwide. They will research and present a notable
African American of their choice; find a book, a poem or a speech by an African
American to present to their peers and break down and discuss current racial
issues plaguing the community and brainstorm solutions. During the final week
of the class, students will present a final presentation to their peers with
content directly related to at least three of the topics discussed within the
eight-week course. Students will experience the history and culture of African
Americans through reading, discussion and activities. They will also analyze
significant people and locations that shaped African American history. In
addition, students will develop their ability to be able to understand,
communicate, brainstorm and implement solutions for current racial
oppression and discrimination.
Career Exploration: This course is designed to promote and strengthen
early awareness of the career development process. While topics are
personalized, competencies include assessing, identifying, and evaluating
personal values and personality strengths for career application. Students will
also conduct specific job research and solidify career plans using critical
thinking and logic. This course will also have special guests from different
careers, occupations and trades give weekly presentations on their specific
career, occupation or trade in order to inform students of their different
possibilities and answer any questions students may have. Additionally,
students will create a resume, apply to at least three colleges, jobs or schools
and participate in a mock interview throughout this course.
Chess: In the beginning of this course, program participants will start by
learning a brief history of chess, learning about the fundamentals of the game and
familiarizing themselves with the chess board. They will then learn about ranks,
files, diagonals and algebraic notation. Since the object of the game is to win the
opponent’s King, students will learn as much about the King’s qualities and
abilities as possible. Throughout this course, students will learn how the King
moves as well as the element of space; opposition and distant opposition. The
Queen is the most powerful piece in our army, so students will learn about the
various capabilities of the Queen in addition to learning about seemingly minor
pieces like the knight, the rook and the pawn. This course will cover the rules, the
basic strategy and the end game. Similar to our debating course, the top 10
students who perform the best throughout this course, will be selected for a
competitive traveling chess team.
Civics and Politics: This course will provide students with a practical
knowledge and understanding of the study of American government and the
direct connection and relevance to its citizens. Students will study the
purposes, principles, and practices of American government as established by
the Constitution. Students are expected to understand their rights and
responsibilities as citizens and how to exercise those rights and responsibilities
in local, state, and national government. Students will learn the structure and
processes of the government, various local governments and the branches of
government. Students will be quizzed on the branches, government
functionalities and other practices to ensure their understanding.
Coding: This course will introduce coding to many students for the first time.
It is designed to guide students through resources and activities that will help
them understand the world of computer coding at a beginner’s level. Learning
how to code is similar to learning a new language. The coder must learn a
language of code and this can be challenging for some, but it is simply a
process of inputting instructions into a computing device that results in an
action or output. When students successfully learn to code, they have a
natural feeling of satisfaction and pride. If their earlier attempts are flawed or
need revision, troubleshooting by trial and error engages critical thinking skills.
Coding offers students a challenging, exciting, fulfilling and productive look
into what makes digital sound and motion take place. We know not all
students are not going to become computer programmers, but this is a very
marketable skill in today’s workforce. An early introduction to coding could
prove to be very profitable when students enter the workforce.
Credit 101: This course will cover introductory topics on how to establish
credit, build credit and obtain and keep a good credit score. Students will learn
how their credit score influences interest rates on other purchases and why
fast money isn’t always good money (i.e. payday loans). It will also cover more
complex topics like understanding consumer and business credit, management
and analysis of consumer and business credit, international trade credit, and
collection management and control. Students will also learn about decision
making in granting credit and collection policies and procedures including
current laws affecting collections.
Debate: In this course students will learn argument and debate
fundamentals including types of arguments, constructing arguments,
defending positions, choosing evidence, documenting sources, studying logical
reasoning, recognizing fallacies of reasoning, cross-examining opponents,
delivering rebuttal speeches, writing debate ballots, and giving oral critiques.
Students will analyze and test sources, evidence, and logic for validity. In order
to accomplish these goals, students will become familiar with using the library
collection, various databases, and Internet websites as research tools
throughout the course. Assigned readings, writings, and research will be
integrated into the course. With all debate formats, students will serve as
moderators. As part of the course requirement, students will participate in a
public forum debates within their class and on larger scales. The course work is
challenging, reasonable, and workable with the other courses a student takes.
The top 10 students with the highest grades, best debates and rebuttals will be
selected to create Legacy Institute’s Debate team and compete against other
debate teams locally and nationally.
Education: This course will introduce students to the historical, cultural,
and philosophical foundations of our American public education system.
Students will reflect upon and critique their own educational experiences as
well as articulate their own beliefs and values about teaching, learning, and
schooling. Students will also examine current and historical roles,
expectations, stereotypes, and characterizations that define teaching as a
profession. Additionally, students will learn about the achievement gap and
the school to prison pipeline and brainstorm solutions to combat these issues.
Engineering: Throughout this course students will be introduced to various
types of engineering and the different career paths they could potentially
pursue affiliated with engineering. Students will receive an introduction to
electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, civil engineering throughout
this course. The lecture portion presents the history, role, disciplines and
functions of engineering, engineering ethics, and life-long learning. In addition,
this course will cover a series of laboratory experiences that will expose
students to the Engineering Design Process (EDP) and the three major
disciplines of engineering—Civil, Electrical/Computer, and Mechanical.
Entrepreneurship: This course is designed to introduce students to the
concepts of creativity, business thinking and entrepreneurship. Students will
learn about the nature and scope of entrepreneurship. This course will also
help students understand the impact of entrepreneurship on market
economies. Students will examine and develop the personal traits and
behaviors fundamental to becoming a successful entrepreneur and they will be
exposed to the first steps of the entrepreneurial process including the
development of business plans. Throughout this course, students will learn
how to obtain an LLC and how to start a non-for-profit as well as develop an
understanding of economic concepts and the marketing functions.
Additionally, students will be challenged to create or design a business plan for
their own entrepreneurial endeavor.
Food and Nutrition: Students will examine evidenced-based relationships
between nutrition and the promotion of long-term health and wellbeing. The
purpose of this course is to offer both theoretical and practical knowledge and
skills in the areas of food preparation and healthy eating. Course topics include
the basics of nutrition, food safety, food science principles, consumer skills,
sanitation, food politics, research skills, lab-based food preparation techniques,
table setting and etiquette. Attention will be given to the selection and
preparation of food as well as personal health and well-being.
Health and wellness: Upon the successful completion of this course,
students will be able to understand how their body functions and the
importance of making wise decisions to protect their health and well-being.
The foundation of a healthy child, teenager and young adult is the knowledge
that their daily decisions affect their health. Students will learn about and have
informed discussions on topics such as drugs, alcohol, sexual relationships,
mental health, diet, and exercise based upon facts not hearsay from friends
and media. Students will always have the opportunity to ask questions during
open discussion on relevant topics.
Journalistic and Creative Writing: The Journalistic and Creative Writing
course is designed to teach students critical writing skills needed to be successful in school,
college and in any future career. This course will facilitate opportunities for students to
learn advice from expert writers, study model texts, learn AP Style writing, learn MLA style
writing and write in a multitude of genres. Student writing will include poetry, personal
narratives, press releases, web stories and creative fiction in genres of their choice.
Students will walk away from this course with multiple writing samples that can be used
for their professional portfolios.
Leadership: This course is designed to instill and develop the leadership
skills already within in each student. One of the most important roles of a
leader, regardless of where he or she sits in the organization, is making
decisions that guide an organization or unit toward success. Leaders make a
variety of strategic and tactical decisions for their group or organization,
including decisions about the strategy of the unit, who is on the team, how the
unit will function, what the goal is and how resources are deployed in pursuit
of a goal. Leading a unit is a complex endeavor that involves vision, passion,
and the ability to make decisions under pressure and uncertainty. Leaders
must possess the ability to motivate others to reach and exceed the
organization’s mission and vision. This course analyzes the relationship
between leadership and decision making, combining classical wisdom, recent
research, theory and practice to teach leadership and decision-making
skills. Throughout the course, the instructor will focus on leadership and
decision making in the business world, politics, the nonprofit world, and in
one’s personal life. We will use a mix of reading, discussion, case studies,
team exercises and reflective exercises to achieve a better understanding
of leadership and decision-making.
Music/Entertainment Management and Production:
The music industry, like music itself, is constantly changing and adapting. It’s a
50-billion-dollar international industry that creates timeless songs and worldwide
superstars. But unlike many other industries, passion plays a big role in those
who are successful in the industry. Since it’s an industry based on an art form,
opinion determines who will and won’t be successful. There are superstars
with limited talent cashing in, while incredibly talented people struggle to
make a living. There are no fast-hard rules set in stone to obtain success in this
industry. This course will walk students through the ins and outs of the aspects
that make up this exciting business. This course will give each student a better
understanding of how the industry works, where opportunities exist and how
to take advantage of those opportunities successfully. Valuable insight and
knowledge will be gained by those looking to be successful recording artists,
those looking to have a career inside the music industry, or anyone simply
looking to get a better understanding of how the industry really works.
Students will enter this course with a variety of interests; they might aspire to
be a successful singer, hit songwriter, music producer, an artist’s manager, or
just to learn more about the business in general and how revenue is
generated. This course will also discuss music supervision and a career that
walks the line between music and film/television.
Professional Development & College Preparation: This course
is designed to introduce students to those vital skills needed to be successful
in college and/or in the workforce. This course will teach students proper
email etiquette, proper professional and business casual attire, good
interviewing skills and provide a time and opportunity for assistance with
college and trade school applications. Students will also develop a proficiency
in networking and job search techniques for their relevant fields of interest.
Real Estate: This course will examine the fundamentals of real estate, finance
and development from a legal and managerial perspective and serve as a
foundation course for those with an interest in real estate. The course will also
provide an introduction into real estate for other students. It attempts to develop
skills like using legal concepts in a real estate transactional setting. The course will
be of interest to students contemplating careers in accounting, real estate
development, real estate finance, city planning, or banking. The main topics
covered throughout this course will include but is not limited to land acquisition,
finance, choice of entity, tax aspects, management (leasing, environmental),
disposition of real property, sale of mortgaged property, foreclosures,
wraparound mortgages, sale-leasebacks and recent legal developments.
Participation in class discussions will be mandatory to ensure the students’
understanding.
Sex Education: In this course, students will learn facts about sex education
and be provided a safe space to ask appropriate questions instead of acting off of
hearsay from friends or media. This course will explore the topic of sexuality and
sex education, touching on topics including but not limited to, sexual
development, sexual and reproductive health, interpersonal relationships,
affection, intimacy, and gender roles. Physical, mental-emotional, and social
aspects of sexuality will be addressed including sexual communication,
relationships, safer sex practices and decision making. This course will also teach
scholars about consent in relation to sexual experiences. Parental consent is
required before taking this class and it will only be offered in the Gold and
Platinum levels.
STEM: This course is teacher designed, industry aligned and will use the
best-in-class robotic technology. Legacy Institute’s STEM course drives
problem-solving, collaboration and critical-thinking skills to ensure student
success in school and in the workforce. This course is geared toward students
in grades 6-12. The curriculum is split into modules containing five lessons
each, focusing on core STEM subjects such as science, technology, engineering,
mathematics and even robotics that can be directly applied to a future career.
Technology: This course will focus on key concepts, models, and methods that
will enable students to effectively manage the development and utilization of
technologies. The goal is to develop an awareness of the range, scope, and
complexity of the phenomena, issues, and problems related to economics,
management of technology and technological innovations. The course will mainly
focus on the micro issues but it will extend the discussion to cover macro issues of
technology management by studying how industries and firms are transformed by
new technologies, how new industries are formed, and what factors affect the
technology’s performance. In other words, a systems perspective will be used to
develop insights into the conditions under which structural arrangements and
systems are likely to facilitate technological development. In short, students will
develop a better understanding of the complex issues surrounding the managerial
tasks with respect to technology.
Trades, Specialties and Certification: This course will expose students
to alternative options they can pursue after they graduate high school. Each week
students will learn about different trades, specialties and certification, what
they’ll need to pursue those opportunities and how to apply. Students will also
have the option of being matched with a potential mentor in the trade or
specialty of their choosing and afforded an internship or shadowing opportunity.
Ages/Institute Structure
Legacy Institute will accept and serve ages 5 through 21, with different course complexity and difficulty based on age.
Black
First steps: 5 – 7
Bronze
Elementary School: 8 – 10
Silver
Middle School: 11 – 13
Gold
High School: 14 – 17
Platinum
Legacy Scholars: 18 – 21
Each semester, we will admit 20 students per age group, 10 boys and 10 girls.
Once the slots are filled, prospective participants will be placed on a waiting list.
Legacy Institute will take place every Saturday and will be an eight-week course.
Participants will have to complete quizzes, assignments, homework and tests
during this program.
A graduation ceremony will take place during the ninth week of each semester.
Program participants will attend 5 fifty-five-minute courses per Saturday.
Students will attend their first three classes from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and then
take a thirty-minute lunch break before returning to their last two classes of the
day from 12:00 p.m. to 2 p.m. The last hour will serve as office hours and study
hall for students to work on Legacy Institute assignments with tutors and to meet
with their mentors.
Dress Code: Legacy Institute scholars are required to wear uniforms consisting
of khaki pants and a white, green, yellow, orange or pink shirt. If a scholar is
unable to afford the uniform, we will have financial assistance applications and
stipends to assist with the purchase.
Legacy Institute Levels
Legacy Institute Platinum Level
Ages 18-21
Legacy Institute’s Platinum group will focus on young adults who recently
graduated or are in their last year of high school. This platinum level will
assist young adults in discovering the next best step for them while
simultaneously learning how to better their communities. Platinum level
courses will consist of Entrepreneurship, Black History, Real Estate, Coding,
Credit 102, Technology, Engineering, Civics and Politics, Banking and Career
Exploration. These courses will allow our young adults to enter the real
world knowledgeable in academia and real-world subjects they’ll need in
order to obtain wealth and pass it down.
Legacy Institute Gold Level
Ages 14-17
Legacy Institute’s Gold level will consist of high school students who want to
learn more about the community, gain skills that will help after high school,
successfully gain admittance into college, successfully gain admittance into
trade schools and more. Gold level students will also learn how to create
resumes, successfully interview, apply for college, fill out a FAFSA, and apply
for trade school in addition to knowledge obtained through their course
work. Gold level courses will consist of Entrepreneurship, Black History,
Credit 101, Engineering, Civics and Politics, Professional Development and
College Preparation, STEM, Music and Entertainment Management and
Production, and Health and Career Exploration.
Legacy Institute Silver Level
Ages 11-13
Legacy Institute’s Silver level is for our middle school students preparing for
high school. Legacy Institute will assist in preparing them for high school.
Ideally, with Legacy Institute students should be able to take AP and honors
courses in high school if they so choose. Students will be tested on the first
day to see what they already know and tested on the last day to see what
they learned throughout the eight weeks. Silver level courses will consist of
health, coding, civics and politics, entrepreneurship, speech and debate,
computer sciences, African American studies, career exploration and music
and entertainment production and management.
Legacy Institute Bronze Level
Ages 8-10
Legacy Institute’s Bronze level is our elementary school level to build upon
the ideas introduced during Black level courses. During the Bronze level,
students will have class work and short quizzes to start locking the lessons
into their minds and being able to communicate what they are learning.
Bronze level courses will consist of Health and Wellness, Black History, Civics
and Politics, Education, Financial Literacy, Journalistic and Creative writing,
Music and Entertainment, Technology, Career Exploration and
Entrepreneurship.
Legacy Institute Black Level
Ages 5-7
Legacy Institute’s Black level is the youngest group in Legacy Institute.
Studies show that children learn fastest when they’re younger and when
they are exposed to various topics from a young age, it increases their
overall understanding and comprehension of those topics later in life. Black
level courses will introduce topics to children so they’re familiar with them
early on in a kid friendly and hands on fashion to make sure the students are
still engaged. This level will also teach them self-confidence and self-pride
about their heritage, who they are and where they come from. Black level
courses will consist of Black History 101, Black History 102, Creative Writing
and Reading Comprehension, Leadership, Computer Science, Health and
Wellness, STEM, Career Exploration, Music, Dance, and Arts and Technology.
Legacy Institute Black: 5-7-year-old curriculum
Eight-week courses offered for this age group:
• Black History 101
• Black History 102
• Creative Writing/ Reading Comprehension
• Leadership
• Computer Science
• Health and Wellness
• STEM
• Career Exploration
• Music, Dance, and Arts
• Technology
Legacy Institute Bronze: 8-10-year-old curriculum
Eight-week courses offered for this age group:
• Health and Wellness
• Black History
• Civics and Politics
• Education
• Financial Literacy
• Journalistic and Creative writing
• Music and Entertainment
• Technology
• Career Exploration
• Entrepreneurship
• Legacy Institute Silver: 11-13-year-old curriculum
Eight-week courses offered for this age group:
• Health and Wellness
• Coding
• Civics and politics
• Entrepreneurship
• Speech and Debate
• Computer Sciences
• African American Studies
• Career Exploration
• Music and Entertainment production and management
• Food and Nutrition
• Legacy Institute Gold: 14-17 years old Curriculum
Eight-week courses offered for this age group:
• Entrepreneurship
• Black History
• Credit 101
• Engineering
• Civics and Politics
• Professional Development and College Preparation
• STEM
• Music and Entertainment Management and Production
• Health and Wellness
• Career Exploration
Legacy Institute Platinum: 18-21 years old Curriculum
Eight-week courses offered for this age group:
• Entrepreneurship
• Black History
• Real Estate
• Coding
• Credit 102
• Technology
• Engineering
• Civics and Politics
• Banking
• Career Exploration
• Health and Wellness
• Sex Education
Incentives
By participating in Legacy Institute, program participants will have the opportunity to receive several incentives. They will walk away with a new sense of empowerment after being exposed to many life and career tips, lessons and skills. Participants will gain various knowledgeable mentors and skilled professionals in their respective fields to help them outline their career path. They will gain a greater sense of self as they learn about their own history. They will gain a better understanding of financial literacy as they learn about credit, banking and saving. Participants will learn about
several ‘real world’ topics as they matriculate through the institute. They will also have the opportunity to attend educational field trips. In addition to the knowledge program participants will acquire through the academic programs’ curriculum, students who complete the program in its entirety and maintain a 2.75 grade point average will receive a
college scholarship. Trade school scholarships will also be available. Grade school participants will also have the opportunity to obtain high school scholarships into select private schools. Program participants are also
eligible to receive academic gift cards, laptops, tablets, school bags and other school supplies.
Legacy Institute ensures its graduates are prepared for college and the workforce, meaning scholars will also benefit from free tutoring, free resume building, help finding paid internships and apprenticeships as well
as access to exclusive job opportunities. Lastly, by being a Legacy Institute scholar, even after you graduate and
become alumni, you will still be able to benefit from program resources and incentives.
Counseling Resources
Legacy Institute takes mental health and development very
seriously. It places a special emphasis on providing counseling
resources to scholars and their parents. In 2022, Legacy
Institute will have a counselor on staff who will be available
during Institute hours as well as extra help hours on Saturdays
from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Monday through Thursdays
from 3p.m. to 8 p.m.
In addition to a counselor, Legacy Institute will also offer events
and classes centered around mental health. Classes will focus
on topics including emotional responses, coping mechanisms
and therapeutic communication skills.
Participants and alumni will be eligible to receive free individual
counseling, group counseling and even counseling with their
parents.
There will also be a parenting specialist on staff to help assist
students who have children, are expecting, or who are playing
an integral role in raising their younger siblings. A parenting
class and a diaper bank are additional resources that will be
available to Legacy Institute scholars.
Legacy Institute’s National Initiative
Legacy Institute was created in 2021 in St. Louis, Missouri and the
institute’s home base is located in St. Louis, however branches of
Legacy Institute will be state-wide and country wide. Legacy Institute
will operate locally for the first year and then quickly expand. The
institute will have branches located in Kansas City, Chicago, Atlanta,
Memphis, Detroit, Philadelphia, Indianapolis, Dallas, Houston, and
Washington D.C.
One of the courses Legacy Institute will offer is a centered around
debate. The course will introduce students to debate and teach them
the skills they will need to be successful. During the second year of
Legacy Institute, we will develop a national debate competition. The
competition will be open to all cities and states with competing debate
teams. The winner of the debate competition will receive different
prizes and scholarships. The competition will also have media coverage
from various news and media outlets.
Another competitive course Legacy Institute will offer is its chess
course. The course will introduce students to chess and teach them the
skills and discipline needed to win the majority of their matches. Similar
to the debate team, Legacy Institute will also develop a national
traveling chess team.
Legacy Institute scholars would have to try out for both teams. If they
are not selected, they would still be able to participate in the courses,
they just would not be able to travel and compete with Legacy
Institute’s competition teams.
Legacy Institute’s Extra Help
Legacy Institute’s extra help is the Youth Facility that will
operate in conjunction with the institute. Set to launch in 2022, it
will encompass additional hours that program participants, alumni and
their families can benefit from. Extra help hours will take place on
Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Monday through Thursday from
3 p.m. to 8 p.m. In order to access Legacy Institute’s Extra Help, program
participants will receive a membership card with their picture on it.
When program participants graduate, they will be granted a Legacy
Institute Alumni card which will allow additional benefits. The card is
to be renewed each year. With Legacy Institute cards, program
participants, alumni and families will be able to benefit from free
counseling, tutoring and mentorship. Legacy Institute will also send out
a quarterly newsletter to cardholders with updates regarding additional
opportunities and field trips.
Additionally, cardholders will have access to a 24-hour hotline they can
call if they need assistance with anything related to school, their home
life, extenuating circumstances, their mental health, their physical
health, life and so on.
Scholars will be able to play games that help build mental strength,
technology games and educational games. The games will be provided
by and be housed at the facility.
Lastly, a board will be dedicated to various listings such as job
descriptions and opportunities, internships and apprenticeships. A
career counselor will be on staff at Legacy Institute to assist students
with applying for and taking advantage of these opportunities.
Course Importance
Chess
The chess programming offered at Legacy Institute is a great educational opportunity that reinforces critical thinking and mathematical reasoning skills. Our research team discovered that 72% of former students looked forward to attending school on the days when chess was played. Additionally, they discovered that 70% of students believe their chess class taught them the value of working hard to accomplish their goals. 68% of students feel more confident in their ability to learn more challenging subjects after completing this course. Finally, 71% of students indicated that they are more likely to challenge themselves in the future. While learning to play the game, students also strengthen problem solving, decision making, creative thinking and planning skills. These are great skills that will benefit the students throughout their entire lives.
Credit
The Legacy Institute offers the credit/financial literacy course for students to build a strong financial foundation that they can build on as adults. The students learned the basics of earning, saving and budgeting money. They also learned about the importance of money and how credit impacts their buying power. The students have shown their knowledge and understanding of how to manage their money. They were taught the differences between needs and wants and introduced to the concept of financial independence. Throughout the course, participants learned about the benefits of being fiscally responsible and building great credit with timely payments and not overextending themselves.
Debate
Legacy Institute’s debate courses build student’s verbal and written communication skills. Great communication skills are beneficial to the students’ future academic, social and professional growth. Participants in this debate course will build their vocabulary, critical thinking and communication skills. These are some of the foundational skills of great leadership. Research on debate has shown that people who take debate are more likely to graduate and score higher on their ACT (Anderson and Muzuk, 2012). Specifically, 72% of students who took a debate course graduated from high school in comparison to 43% of students who did not (Anderson and Muzuk, 2012). Overall, debate courses are an essential component in the growth and development of our young future leaders.
History
Black history is world history and should be taught to all students. Our black history course concentrates on past and current contributions of African Americans in our society and throughout the world. Students learn about the positive and invaluable contributions to science, math, education, law, medicine and entertainment. Despite the racism and oppression that African American people have endured, they have managed to survive and thrive in this world. Our students learn how their ancestors persevered through harsh and inhumane treatment. They gain a new respect for the freedoms they have in their daily life activities. As people learn about the collective suffering, survival, tenacity and ingenuity of their ancestors, it helps to build bonds, love and empathy for one another. It also helps to build self-respect, self-esteem and build courage in our young people as well as adults to pursue any and all of their dreams. Dr. Carter G Woodson once said in The Mis-Education of the Negro, “History shows that it does not matter who is in power or what revolutionary forces take over the government, those who have not learned to do for themselves and have to depend solely on others never obtain any more rights or privileges in the end than they had in the beginning.” We share these important pieces of the African American experience to highlight our past but also to illuminate the limitless future possibilities for our youth.
Leadership
Our leadership courses teach the youth the importance of being a leader. They also learn about the qualities of a great leader: visionary, honest, perseverance, trust, integrity, willingness to listen, good communicator, accountable, decision maker, collaborative, ability to delegate and much more. They are introduced to community and world leaders. We share the benefits of and encourage our young students to participate in student council, diversity clubs, and church groups. The older students are given information about fraternity and sorority groups, civic engagement and other ways to become more active in their communities. Our course teaches and develops skills that will benefit students for a lifetime.
The Legacy Institute will consist of 24 academic programs and
interest areas:
• Banking
• Black History
• Career Exploration
• Chess
• Civics and Politics
• Coding
• Completing the Application
• Credit 101
• Debate
• Education
• Engineering
• Entrepreneurship
• Entry Level Job Preparation
• Food and Nutrition
• Health and wellness
• Journalistic and Creative Writing
• Leadership
• Music/Entertainment Management and Production
• Professional Development & College Preparation
• Real Estate
• Sex Education
• STEM
• Technology
• Trades, Specialties and Certification
• Brief descriptions for each course follow:
Banking: This course will provide students with a valuable overview of the
main concepts of our banks and financial system. Students will develop a
foundation in the economic, financial, technological, international, social and
ethical aspects of banking. Topics will include the role of money in the modern
economy, principal functions of financial institutions, services of banking,
comparison of business opportunities, mortgage transactions and theories that
influence international business. Additionally, students will learn the basics
such as the different types of bank accounts, personal finance, and checkbook
etiquette throughout this course.
Black History: Throughout this course, students will gain a sense of deeper
meaning and self-worth as they explore the past, present and future of their
heritage. Students will study the African diaspora, locations black people
descended from, places black people still reside internationally, and the racial
discrimination faced worldwide. They will research and present a notable
African American of their choice; find a book, a poem or a speech by an African
American to present to their peers and break down and discuss current racial
issues plaguing the community and brainstorm solutions. During the final week
of the class, students will present a final presentation to their peers with
content directly related to at least three of the topics discussed within the
eight-week course. Students will experience the history and culture of African
Americans through reading, discussion and activities. They will also analyze
significant people and locations that shaped African American history. In
addition, students will develop their ability to be able to understand,
communicate, brainstorm and implement solutions for current racial
oppression and discrimination.
Career Exploration: This course is designed to promote and strengthen
early awareness of the career development process. While topics are
personalized, competencies include assessing, identifying, and evaluating
personal values and personality strengths for career application. Students will
also conduct specific job research and solidify career plans using critical
thinking and logic. This course will also have special guests from different
careers, occupations and trades give weekly presentations on their specific
career, occupation or trade in order to inform students of their different
possibilities and answer any questions students may have. Additionally,
students will create a resume, apply to at least three colleges, jobs or schools
and participate in a mock interview throughout this course.
Chess: In the beginning of this course, program participants will start by
learning a brief history of chess, learning about the fundamentals of the game and
familiarizing themselves with the chess board. They will then learn about ranks,
files, diagonals and algebraic notation. Since the object of the game is to win the
opponent’s King, students will learn as much about the King’s qualities and
abilities as possible. Throughout this course, students will learn how the King
moves as well as the element of space; opposition and distant opposition. The
Queen is the most powerful piece in our army, so students will learn about the
various capabilities of the Queen in addition to learning about seemingly minor
pieces like the knight, the rook and the pawn. This course will cover the rules, the
basic strategy and the end game. Similar to our debating course, the top 10
students who perform the best throughout this course, will be selected for a
competitive traveling chess team.
Civics and Politics: This course will provide students with a practical
knowledge and understanding of the study of American government and the
direct connection and relevance to its citizens. Students will study the
purposes, principles, and practices of American government as established by
the Constitution. Students are expected to understand their rights and
responsibilities as citizens and how to exercise those rights and responsibilities
in local, state, and national government. Students will learn the structure and
processes of the government, various local governments and the branches of
government. Students will be quizzed on the branches, government
functionalities and other practices to ensure their understanding.
Coding: This course will introduce coding to many students for the first time.
It is designed to guide students through resources and activities that will help
them understand the world of computer coding at a beginner’s level. Learning
how to code is similar to learning a new language. The coder must learn a
language of code and this can be challenging for some, but it is simply a
process of inputting instructions into a computing device that results in an
action or output. When students successfully learn to code, they have a
natural feeling of satisfaction and pride. If their earlier attempts are flawed or
need revision, troubleshooting by trial and error engages critical thinking skills.
Coding offers students a challenging, exciting, fulfilling and productive look
into what makes digital sound and motion take place. We know not all
students are not going to become computer programmers, but this is a very
marketable skill in today’s workforce. An early introduction to coding could
prove to be very profitable when students enter the workforce.
Credit 101: This course will cover introductory topics on how to establish
credit, build credit and obtain and keep a good credit score. Students will learn
how their credit score influences interest rates on other purchases and why
fast money isn’t always good money (i.e. payday loans). It will also cover more
complex topics like understanding consumer and business credit, management
and analysis of consumer and business credit, international trade credit, and
collection management and control. Students will also learn about decision
making in granting credit and collection policies and procedures including
current laws affecting collections.
Debate: In this course students will learn argument and debate
fundamentals including types of arguments, constructing arguments,
defending positions, choosing evidence, documenting sources, studying logical
reasoning, recognizing fallacies of reasoning, cross-examining opponents,
delivering rebuttal speeches, writing debate ballots, and giving oral critiques.
Students will analyze and test sources, evidence, and logic for validity. In order
to accomplish these goals, students will become familiar with using the library
collection, various databases, and Internet websites as research tools
throughout the course. Assigned readings, writings, and research will be
integrated into the course. With all debate formats, students will serve as
moderators. As part of the course requirement, students will participate in a
public forum debates within their class and on larger scales. The course work is
challenging, reasonable, and workable with the other courses a student takes.
The top 10 students with the highest grades, best debates and rebuttals will be
selected to create Legacy Institute’s Debate team and compete against other
debate teams locally and nationally.
Education: This course will introduce students to the historical, cultural,
and philosophical foundations of our American public education system.
Students will reflect upon and critique their own educational experiences as
well as articulate their own beliefs and values about teaching, learning, and
schooling. Students will also examine current and historical roles,
expectations, stereotypes, and characterizations that define teaching as a
profession. Additionally, students will learn about the achievement gap and
the school to prison pipeline and brainstorm solutions to combat these issues.
Engineering: Throughout this course students will be introduced to various
types of engineering and the different career paths they could potentially
pursue affiliated with engineering. Students will receive an introduction to
electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, civil engineering throughout
this course. The lecture portion presents the history, role, disciplines and
functions of engineering, engineering ethics, and life-long learning. In addition,
this course will cover a series of laboratory experiences that will expose
students to the Engineering Design Process (EDP) and the three major
disciplines of engineering—Civil, Electrical/Computer, and Mechanical.
Entrepreneurship: This course is designed to introduce students to the
concepts of creativity, business thinking and entrepreneurship. Students will
learn about the nature and scope of entrepreneurship. This course will also
help students understand the impact of entrepreneurship on market
economies. Students will examine and develop the personal traits and
behaviors fundamental to becoming a successful entrepreneur and they will be
exposed to the first steps of the entrepreneurial process including the
development of business plans. Throughout this course, students will learn
how to obtain an LLC and how to start a non-for-profit as well as develop an
understanding of economic concepts and the marketing functions.
Additionally, students will be challenged to create or design a business plan for
their own entrepreneurial endeavor.
Food and Nutrition: Students will examine evidenced-based relationships
between nutrition and the promotion of long-term health and wellbeing. The
purpose of this course is to offer both theoretical and practical knowledge and
skills in the areas of food preparation and healthy eating. Course topics include
the basics of nutrition, food safety, food science principles, consumer skills,
sanitation, food politics, research skills, lab-based food preparation techniques,
table setting and etiquette. Attention will be given to the selection and
preparation of food as well as personal health and well-being.
Health and wellness: Upon the successful completion of this course,
students will be able to understand how their body functions and the
importance of making wise decisions to protect their health and well-being.
The foundation of a healthy child, teenager and young adult is the knowledge
that their daily decisions affect their health. Students will learn about and have
informed discussions on topics such as drugs, alcohol, sexual relationships,
mental health, diet, and exercise based upon facts not hearsay from friends
and media. Students will always have the opportunity to ask questions during
open discussion on relevant topics.
Journalistic and Creative Writing: The Journalistic and Creative Writing
course is designed to teach students critical writing skills needed to be successful in school,
college and in any future career. This course will facilitate opportunities for students to
learn advice from expert writers, study model texts, learn AP Style writing, learn MLA style
writing and write in a multitude of genres. Student writing will include poetry, personal
narratives, press releases, web stories and creative fiction in genres of their choice.
Students will walk away from this course with multiple writing samples that can be used
for their professional portfolios.
Leadership: This course is designed to instill and develop the leadership
skills already within in each student. One of the most important roles of a
leader, regardless of where he or she sits in the organization, is making
decisions that guide an organization or unit toward success. Leaders make a
variety of strategic and tactical decisions for their group or organization,
including decisions about the strategy of the unit, who is on the team, how the
unit will function, what the goal is and how resources are deployed in pursuit
of a goal. Leading a unit is a complex endeavor that involves vision, passion,
and the ability to make decisions under pressure and uncertainty. Leaders
must possess the ability to motivate others to reach and exceed the
organization’s mission and vision. This course analyzes the relationship
between leadership and decision making, combining classical wisdom, recent
research, theory and practice to teach leadership and decision-making
skills. Throughout the course, the instructor will focus on leadership and
decision making in the business world, politics, the nonprofit world, and in
one’s personal life. We will use a mix of reading, discussion, case studies,
team exercises and reflective exercises to achieve a better understanding
of leadership and decision-making.
Music/Entertainment Management and Production:
The music industry, like music itself, is constantly changing and adapting. It’s a
50-billion-dollar international industry that creates timeless songs and worldwide
superstars. But unlike many other industries, passion plays a big role in those
who are successful in the industry. Since it’s an industry based on an art form,
opinion determines who will and won’t be successful. There are superstars
with limited talent cashing in, while incredibly talented people struggle to
make a living. There are no fast-hard rules set in stone to obtain success in this
industry. This course will walk students through the ins and outs of the aspects
that make up this exciting business. This course will give each student a better
understanding of how the industry works, where opportunities exist and how
to take advantage of those opportunities successfully. Valuable insight and
knowledge will be gained by those looking to be successful recording artists,
those looking to have a career inside the music industry, or anyone simply
looking to get a better understanding of how the industry really works.
Students will enter this course with a variety of interests; they might aspire to
be a successful singer, hit songwriter, music producer, an artist’s manager, or
just to learn more about the business in general and how revenue is
generated. This course will also discuss music supervision and a career that
walks the line between music and film/television.
Professional Development & College Preparation: This course
is designed to introduce students to those vital skills needed to be successful
in college and/or in the workforce. This course will teach students proper
email etiquette, proper professional and business casual attire, good
interviewing skills and provide a time and opportunity for assistance with
college and trade school applications. Students will also develop a proficiency
in networking and job search techniques for their relevant fields of interest.
Real Estate: This course will examine the fundamentals of real estate, finance
and development from a legal and managerial perspective and serve as a
foundation course for those with an interest in real estate. The course will also
provide an introduction into real estate for other students. It attempts to develop
skills like using legal concepts in a real estate transactional setting. The course will
be of interest to students contemplating careers in accounting, real estate
development, real estate finance, city planning, or banking. The main topics
covered throughout this course will include but is not limited to land acquisition,
finance, choice of entity, tax aspects, management (leasing, environmental),
disposition of real property, sale of mortgaged property, foreclosures,
wraparound mortgages, sale-leasebacks and recent legal developments.
Participation in class discussions will be mandatory to ensure the students’
understanding.
Sex Education: In this course, students will learn facts about sex education
and be provided a safe space to ask appropriate questions instead of acting off of
hearsay from friends or media. This course will explore the topic of sexuality and
sex education, touching on topics including but not limited to, sexual
development, sexual and reproductive health, interpersonal relationships,
affection, intimacy, and gender roles. Physical, mental-emotional, and social
aspects of sexuality will be addressed including sexual communication,
relationships, safer sex practices and decision making. This course will also teach
scholars about consent in relation to sexual experiences. Parental consent is
required before taking this class and it will only be offered in the Gold and
Platinum levels.
STEM: This course is teacher designed, industry aligned and will use the
best-in-class robotic technology. Legacy Institute’s STEM course drives
problem-solving, collaboration and critical-thinking skills to ensure student
success in school and in the workforce. This course is geared toward students
in grades 6-12. The curriculum is split into modules containing five lessons
each, focusing on core STEM subjects such as science, technology, engineering,
mathematics and even robotics that can be directly applied to a future career.
Technology: This course will focus on key concepts, models, and methods that
will enable students to effectively manage the development and utilization of
technologies. The goal is to develop an awareness of the range, scope, and
complexity of the phenomena, issues, and problems related to economics,
management of technology and technological innovations. The course will mainly
focus on the micro issues but it will extend the discussion to cover macro issues of
technology management by studying how industries and firms are transformed by
new technologies, how new industries are formed, and what factors affect the
technology’s performance. In other words, a systems perspective will be used to
develop insights into the conditions under which structural arrangements and
systems are likely to facilitate technological development. In short, students will
develop a better understanding of the complex issues surrounding the managerial
tasks with respect to technology.
Trades, Specialties and Certification: This course will expose students
to alternative options they can pursue after they graduate high school. Each week
students will learn about different trades, specialties and certification, what
they’ll need to pursue those opportunities and how to apply. Students will also
have the option of being matched with a potential mentor in the trade or
specialty of their choosing and afforded an internship or shadowing opportunity.
Ages/Institute Structure
Legacy Institute will accept and serve ages 5 through 21, with different course complexity and difficulty based on age.
Black
First steps: 5 – 7
Bronze
Elementary School: 8 – 10
Silver
Middle School: 11 – 13
Gold
High School: 14 – 17
Platinum
Legacy Scholars: 18 – 21
Each semester, we will admit 20 students per age group, 10 boys and 10 girls.
Once the slots are filled, prospective participants will be placed on a waiting list.
Legacy Institute will take place every Saturday and will be an eight-week course.
Participants will have to complete quizzes, assignments, homework and tests
during this program.
A graduation ceremony will take place during the ninth week of each semester.
Program participants will attend 5 fifty-five-minute courses per Saturday.
Students will attend their first three classes from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and then
take a thirty-minute lunch break before returning to their last two classes of the
day from 12:00 p.m. to 2 p.m. The last hour will serve as office hours and study
hall for students to work on Legacy Institute assignments with tutors and to meet
with their mentors.
Dress Code: Legacy Institute scholars are required to wear uniforms consisting
of khaki pants and a white, green, yellow, orange or pink shirt. If a scholar is
unable to afford the uniform, we will have financial assistance applications and
stipends to assist with the purchase.
Legacy Institute Levels
Legacy Institute Platinum Level
Ages 18-21
Legacy Institute’s Platinum group will focus on young adults who recently
graduated or are in their last year of high school. This platinum level will
assist young adults in discovering the next best step for them while
simultaneously learning how to better their communities. Platinum level
courses will consist of Entrepreneurship, Black History, Real Estate, Coding,
Credit 102, Technology, Engineering, Civics and Politics, Banking and Career
Exploration. These courses will allow our young adults to enter the real
world knowledgeable in academia and real-world subjects they’ll need in
order to obtain wealth and pass it down.
Legacy Institute Gold Level
Ages 14-17
Legacy Institute’s Gold level will consist of high school students who want to
learn more about the community, gain skills that will help after high school,
successfully gain admittance into college, successfully gain admittance into
trade schools and more. Gold level students will also learn how to create
resumes, successfully interview, apply for college, fill out a FAFSA, and apply
for trade school in addition to knowledge obtained through their course
work. Gold level courses will consist of Entrepreneurship, Black History,
Credit 101, Engineering, Civics and Politics, Professional Development and
College Preparation, STEM, Music and Entertainment Management and
Production, and Health and Career Exploration.
Legacy Institute Silver Level
Ages 11-13
Legacy Institute’s Silver level is for our middle school students preparing for
high school. Legacy Institute will assist in preparing them for high school.
Ideally, with Legacy Institute students should be able to take AP and honors
courses in high school if they so choose. Students will be tested on the first
day to see what they already know and tested on the last day to see what
they learned throughout the eight weeks. Silver level courses will consist of
health, coding, civics and politics, entrepreneurship, speech and debate,
computer sciences, African American studies, career exploration and music
and entertainment production and management.
Legacy Institute Bronze Level
Ages 8-10
Legacy Institute’s Bronze level is our elementary school level to build upon
the ideas introduced during Black level courses. During the Bronze level,
students will have class work and short quizzes to start locking the lessons
into their minds and being able to communicate what they are learning.
Bronze level courses will consist of Health and Wellness, Black History, Civics
and Politics, Education, Financial Literacy, Journalistic and Creative writing,
Music and Entertainment, Technology, Career Exploration and
Entrepreneurship.
Legacy Institute Black Level
Ages 5-7
Legacy Institute’s Black level is the youngest group in Legacy Institute.
Studies show that children learn fastest when they’re younger and when
they are exposed to various topics from a young age, it increases their
overall understanding and comprehension of those topics later in life. Black
level courses will introduce topics to children so they’re familiar with them
early on in a kid friendly and hands on fashion to make sure the students are
still engaged. This level will also teach them self-confidence and self-pride
about their heritage, who they are and where they come from. Black level
courses will consist of Black History 101, Black History 102, Creative Writing
and Reading Comprehension, Leadership, Computer Science, Health and
Wellness, STEM, Career Exploration, Music, Dance, and Arts and Technology.
Legacy Institute Black: 5-7-year-old curriculum
Eight-week courses offered for this age group:
• Black History 101
• Black History 102
• Creative Writing/ Reading Comprehension
• Leadership
• Computer Science
• Health and Wellness
• STEM
• Career Exploration
• Music, Dance, and Arts
• Technology
Legacy Institute Bronze: 8-10-year-old curriculum
Eight-week courses offered for this age group:
• Health and Wellness
• Black History
• Civics and Politics
• Education
• Financial Literacy
• Journalistic and Creative writing
• Music and Entertainment
• Technology
• Career Exploration
• Entrepreneurship
• Legacy Institute Silver: 11-13-year-old curriculum
Eight-week courses offered for this age group:
• Health and Wellness
• Coding
• Civics and politics
• Entrepreneurship
• Speech and Debate
• Computer Sciences
• African American Studies
• Career Exploration
• Music and Entertainment production and management
• Food and Nutrition
• Legacy Institute Gold: 14-17 years old Curriculum
Eight-week courses offered for this age group:
• Entrepreneurship
• Black History
• Credit 101
• Engineering
• Civics and Politics
• Professional Development and College Preparation
• STEM
• Music and Entertainment Management and Production
• Health and Wellness
• Career Exploration
Legacy Institute Platinum: 18-21 years old Curriculum
Eight-week courses offered for this age group:
• Entrepreneurship
• Black History
• Real Estate
• Coding
• Credit 102
• Technology
• Engineering
• Civics and Politics
• Banking
• Career Exploration
• Health and Wellness
• Sex Education
Incentives
By participating in Legacy Institute, program participants will have the opportunity to receive several incentives. They will walk away with a new sense of empowerment after being exposed to many life and career tips, lessons and skills. Participants will gain various knowledgeable mentors and skilled professionals in their respective fields to help them outline their career path. They will gain a greater sense of self as they learn about their own history. They will gain a better understanding of financial literacy as they learn about credit, banking and saving. Participants will learn about
several ‘real world’ topics as they matriculate through the institute. They will also have the opportunity to attend educational field trips. In addition to the knowledge program participants will acquire through the academic programs’ curriculum, students who complete the program in its entirety and maintain a 2.75 grade point average will receive a
college scholarship. Trade school scholarships will also be available. Grade school participants will also have the opportunity to obtain high school scholarships into select private schools. Program participants are also
eligible to receive academic gift cards, laptops, tablets, school bags and other school supplies.
Legacy Institute ensures its graduates are prepared for college and the workforce, meaning scholars will also benefit from free tutoring, free resume building, help finding paid internships and apprenticeships as well
as access to exclusive job opportunities. Lastly, by being a Legacy Institute scholar, even after you graduate and
become alumni, you will still be able to benefit from program resources and incentives.
Counseling Resources
Legacy Institute takes mental health and development very
seriously. It places a special emphasis on providing counseling
resources to scholars and their parents. In 2022, Legacy
Institute will have a counselor on staff who will be available
during Institute hours as well as extra help hours on Saturdays
from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Monday through Thursdays
from 3p.m. to 8 p.m.
In addition to a counselor, Legacy Institute will also offer events
and classes centered around mental health. Classes will focus
on topics including emotional responses, coping mechanisms
and therapeutic communication skills.
Participants and alumni will be eligible to receive free individual
counseling, group counseling and even counseling with their
parents.
There will also be a parenting specialist on staff to help assist
students who have children, are expecting, or who are playing
an integral role in raising their younger siblings. A parenting
class and a diaper bank are additional resources that will be
available to Legacy Institute scholars.
Legacy Institute’s National Initiative
Legacy Institute was created in 2021 in St. Louis, Missouri and the
institute’s home base is located in St. Louis, however branches of
Legacy Institute will be state-wide and country wide. Legacy Institute
will operate locally for the first year and then quickly expand. The
institute will have branches located in Kansas City, Chicago, Atlanta,
Memphis, Detroit, Philadelphia, Indianapolis, Dallas, Houston, and
Washington D.C.
One of the courses Legacy Institute will offer is a centered around
debate. The course will introduce students to debate and teach them
the skills they will need to be successful. During the second year of
Legacy Institute, we will develop a national debate competition. The
competition will be open to all cities and states with competing debate
teams. The winner of the debate competition will receive different
prizes and scholarships. The competition will also have media coverage
from various news and media outlets.
Another competitive course Legacy Institute will offer is its chess
course. The course will introduce students to chess and teach them the
skills and discipline needed to win the majority of their matches. Similar
to the debate team, Legacy Institute will also develop a national
traveling chess team.
Legacy Institute scholars would have to try out for both teams. If they
are not selected, they would still be able to participate in the courses,
they just would not be able to travel and compete with Legacy
Institute’s competition teams.
Legacy Institute’s Extra Help
Legacy Institute’s extra help is the Youth Facility that will
operate in conjunction with the institute. Set to launch in 2022, it
will encompass additional hours that program participants, alumni and
their families can benefit from. Extra help hours will take place on
Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Monday through Thursday from
3 p.m. to 8 p.m. In order to access Legacy Institute’s Extra Help, program
participants will receive a membership card with their picture on it.
When program participants graduate, they will be granted a Legacy
Institute Alumni card which will allow additional benefits. The card is
to be renewed each year. With Legacy Institute cards, program
participants, alumni and families will be able to benefit from free
counseling, tutoring and mentorship. Legacy Institute will also send out
a quarterly newsletter to cardholders with updates regarding additional
opportunities and field trips.
Additionally, cardholders will have access to a 24-hour hotline they can
call if they need assistance with anything related to school, their home
life, extenuating circumstances, their mental health, their physical
health, life and so on.
Scholars will be able to play games that help build mental strength,
technology games and educational games. The games will be provided
by and be housed at the facility.
Lastly, a board will be dedicated to various listings such as job
descriptions and opportunities, internships and apprenticeships. A
career counselor will be on staff at Legacy Institute to assist students
with applying for and taking advantage of these opportunities.
Course Importance
Chess
The chess programming offered at Legacy Institute is a great educational opportunity that reinforces critical thinking and mathematical reasoning skills. Our research team discovered that 72% of former students looked forward to attending school on the days when chess was played. Additionally, they discovered that 70% of students believe their chess class taught them the value of working hard to accomplish their goals. 68% of students feel more confident in their ability to learn more challenging subjects after completing this course. Finally, 71% of students indicated that they are more likely to challenge themselves in the future. While learning to play the game, students also strengthen problem solving, decision making, creative thinking and planning skills. These are great skills that will benefit the students throughout their entire lives.
Credit
The Legacy Institute offers the credit/financial literacy course for students to build a strong financial foundation that they can build on as adults. The students learned the basics of earning, saving and budgeting money. They also learned about the importance of money and how credit impacts their buying power. The students have shown their knowledge and understanding of how to manage their money. They were taught the differences between needs and wants and introduced to the concept of financial independence. Throughout the course, participants learned about the benefits of being fiscally responsible and building great credit with timely payments and not overextending themselves.
Debate
Legacy Institute’s debate courses build student’s verbal and written communication skills. Great communication skills are beneficial to the students’ future academic, social and professional growth. Participants in this debate course will build their vocabulary, critical thinking and communication skills. These are some of the foundational skills of great leadership. Research on debate has shown that people who take debate are more likely to graduate and score higher on their ACT (Anderson and Muzuk, 2012). Specifically, 72% of students who took a debate course graduated from high school in comparison to 43% of students who did not (Anderson and Muzuk, 2012). Overall, debate courses are an essential component in the growth and development of our young future leaders.
History
Black history is world history and should be taught to all students. Our black history course concentrates on past and current contributions of African Americans in our society and throughout the world. Students learn about the positive and invaluable contributions to science, math, education, law, medicine and entertainment. Despite the racism and oppression that African American people have endured, they have managed to survive and thrive in this world. Our students learn how their ancestors persevered through harsh and inhumane treatment. They gain a new respect for the freedoms they have in their daily life activities. As people learn about the collective suffering, survival, tenacity and ingenuity of their ancestors, it helps to build bonds, love and empathy for one another. It also helps to build self-respect, self-esteem and build courage in our young people as well as adults to pursue any and all of their dreams. Dr. Carter G Woodson once said in The Mis-Education of the Negro, “History shows that it does not matter who is in power or what revolutionary forces take over the government, those who have not learned to do for themselves and have to depend solely on others never obtain any more rights or privileges in the end than they had in the beginning.” We share these important pieces of the African American experience to highlight our past but also to illuminate the limitless future possibilities for our youth.
Leadership
Our leadership courses teach the youth the importance of being a leader. They also learn about the qualities of a great leader: visionary, honest, perseverance, trust, integrity, willingness to listen, good communicator, accountable, decision maker, collaborative, ability to delegate and much more. They are introduced to community and world leaders. We share the benefits of and encourage our young students to participate in student council, diversity clubs, and church groups. The older students are given information about fraternity and sorority groups, civic engagement and other ways to become more active in their communities. Our course teaches and develops skills that will benefit students for a lifetime.
