The view is so clear from up here as I fly into Orlando with Braves baseball on my mind. Number 22 in right field is a living testimony that dreams become real. What does tomorrow hold? I don’t know, but I rest assured that God is in control!

I want tomorrow to bring me more resources so that more African American males will graduate from APS high schools and enter college. More resources will allow me to provide more mentors that can show them the way. These young men are smart contrary to popular belief. They need mentorship on a consistent basis more than math tutors. They need to understand how to manage their own lives. They don’t want to fail but failure is the only option when no one will walk the walk with you.

I want next week to bring me more resources so that more African American males in Atlanta will compete in baseball rather than just playing baseball. What is the difference? To compete requires skill development which demands sacrifice, patience and commitment from both the player and the coach. To play only requires showing up. The rigors of baseball have prepared me to be a successful professional off the baseball field. It can do the same for many other young men in inner city Atlanta. Baseball and baseball only made academics relevant for me.

I want next month to bring me more resources so that more African American males in Atlanta can understand the true meaning of leadership through service and civic engagement. Leadership is an action word and not just an adjective. Leadership doesn’t have a starting age. Service begins now! There is no reason that young men in Atlanta shouldn’t have opportunities to be involved in service every month throughout the year. If we want them “straighten up”, we have to first meet them where they are and L.E.A.D. the way.

I want next year to bring me more resources so that more African American males in Atlanta can be exposed to the amazing opportunities that exist right here in our city. We have more Fortune 100 companies in Atlanta than any other city in America. We can do more than taking a bus load of students on a field trip. What is the follow up? We peak their interest but what happens when the flame dies out.

Only God knows the destination of L.E.A.D. He has placed me in a leadership position to lead and I humbly accept it. I’m at the top of this vision and it is my daily prayer for wisdom and courage to fulfill the mission of L.E.A.D. We Launch, Expose, Advise and Direct! We achieve excellence in Academics, Athletics, Service/Civic Engagement and Exposure!

God is in control!

L.E.A.D. is an acronym that stands for Launch, Expose, Advise, Direct. We successfully carry out our mission by advising parents, coaches and players about the college baseball recruiting process so that the families we serve can use baseball to access college.

Back in the day, baseball scouts would always find you if you were a good baseball player. It was also back in the day when you only had to pay $100 to play baseball. There was no need for families to budget for private baseball instruction because the industry didn’t exist. Today, the baseball industry is worth billions. To be competitive for a baseball scholarship you must invest in all or a combination of the following resources and services (professional skill instructor, speed/strength coach, nutritionist, mental performance coach, baseball equipment, travel expenses to showcases/tournaments, showcase/tournament fees, and an advisor to help you manage the process) just to name a few.

I have successfully worked in the baseball industry as a skill trainer and advisor for 12 years. To give a child the best chance to leverage baseball to receive a baseball scholarship, you have to invest a minimum of $8,000 annually into the student/athlete. If you start the process after 15, you are too late.

L.E.A.D. exists because my parents didn’t have $8,000 to invest in my dream of playing college and professional baseball. Today, 75% of inner city Atlanta students live at or below the poverty line. How can these young men possibly dream of playing a game that they love at the collegiate level when they don’t have the income to support the dream? How did I do it? I did it with the help of my parents, T.J. Wilson, Dave Whitfield and others within the Atlanta community.

My advice as the owner of Diamond Directors (www.DiamondDirectors.com) has helped placed Brandon Thomas at GA Tech, Chris Epps to Clemson University, Jason Heyward (Atlanta Braves) to UCLA, Dexter Fowler (Colorado Rockies) to Harvard and many more. How does L.E.A.D. continue to send so many inner city students to college on baseball scholarships? Sound advice from someone who has lived the life!

Exposure means to subject or allow to be subject to an action, influence, or condition. L.E.A.D. has had a positive influence in our lives. L.E.A.D. has exposed my son to things he has never been exposed to before and it is done without bias. He has been exposed to servant leadership within our community  as well professional baseball skill training. Exposure to the right things makes a young man excited when you mention L.E.A.D. and what they stand for. Exposure to the right things makes a young man excited to serve his community and feel good about giving back.  Exposure to the right things makes a young man excited to come to practice or a workout session.

L.E.A.D. teaches young men how to give back and make a difference even if their peers don’t think that it is cool.  L.E.A.D. is not exposing young men to things just for today but for the exposure to makes a difference in the future. The mission is to expose young men to a lifestyle where they feel like they are somebody and they can make a difference in the lives of others.  L.E.A.D.’s exposure is a great journey with lots of great memories and a legacy for others to follow!

Thanks L.E.A.D. for making a difference in my son’s life!!!! As a parent I am PROUD to be a part if this GREAT organization.

Katrina Johnson
Proud mother of D’Anthony, 2010-11 L.E.A.D. Ambassador In Training and 2011 Jean Childs Young Middle School Leader