Written by C.J. Stewart
Co-Founder & Chief Visionary Officer, L.E.A.D. Center For Youth
Core Value of the Month: TEAMWORK
Teamwork is individuals doing their best—individually and collectively—to fulfill a mission.
At L.E.A.D.—Launch, Expose, Advise, Direct—our mission is to use sports-based youth development to teach Black youth how to overcome the three curveballs that threaten their success: crime, poverty, and racism.
We do that by building strong teams—and strong teammates.
Teamwork isn’t just about cooperation. It’s about clarity, commitment, and the pursuit of a shared mission with excellence. At L.E.A.D., teamwork is a virtue—something we embody, not just something we say. You won’t find our values printed on the walls—we are the walls.
WHO I AM AND WHY I DREAM BIG
I am C.J. Stewart, Co-Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of L.E.A.D. My role is to live 6 to 10 years in the future to ensure that what we do today creates meaningful outcomes tomorrow. That’s what vision is about—seeing what others can’t see yet and preparing for it.
Our vision is that L.E.A.D. Ambassadors will lead their city of Atlanta to lead the world.
Looking ahead, 2032 will be a defining moment:
- On March 8, 2032, L.E.A.D. will turn 25 years old
- We will have grown from $2 million to $10 million in annual revenue
- 25% of our funding will come from current Ambassadors and alumni
That kind of future requires a different kind of present. It requires us to program our youth to be not only Major League players, but—non-negotiably—Major League citizens:
Gainfully employed. Civically engaged. Radical philanthropists.
OUR CORE VALUES IN ACTION
At L.E.A.D., we cycle through six core values twice each year—anchoring our decisions, behaviors, and culture:
- Excellence (August, February)
- Humility (September, March)
- Integrity (October, April)
- Loyalty (November, May)
- Stewardship (December, June)
- Teamwork (January, July)
These values, when lived out consistently, make us virtuous—and only virtuous people can serve with us.
Values can be taught, but they must also be caught. If you don’t catch them, you can’t contribute to this mission.
MEET OUR TEAM
- Kelli Stewart — Co-Founder & CEO
- Bre McClendon — Director of Programs & Strategic Partnerships
- Mackenzi Stewart — Director of Tennis
- Tyler Williams — Program Coordinator
- Jakari Wade — Program Coordinator, Intern
- Glenn Brown — Program Coordinator
- Royshun Pruitt — Program Coordinator
Each of us as leaders has responded to the four questions below in 50 words or less—offering insight into how teamwork drives our shared mission and reveals our individual strengths.
What We Believe, What We Bring
- What does teamwork mean to you?
- C.J.: Teamwork is honoring the mission by being your best self daily—and making space for others to do the same.
- Kelli: Each person bringing to bear their strengths and weaknesses to accomplish a shared goal.
- Bre:Teamwork is about people bringing their best, helping each other through challenges, and staying accountable so the whole group can reach a common goal.
- Mackenzi: Teamwork means being reliable and accountable. When I think of my ideal team— whether it’s a sports team, a job, etc— I think of people that I can always count on to come through for me. Still, inevitably, mistakes and mishaps happen. When those occur, I expect my teammates to hold themselves accountable for the faults and make up for it with a promise that they will see through.
- Tyler: Teamwork to me means working and sharing ideas with other people to obtain a goal.
- Jakari: Being open to different perspectives and coming to as one to get the task done.
- Glenn: When a group of people come together to complete a task.
- Royshun: Everyone coming together, and doing their part to ensure success.
2. What brings you the most joy about being part of L.E.A.D.?
- C.J.: Watching our Ambassadors become who they were born to be—with clarity, courage, and character.
- Kelli: The impact we’re able to have in the lives of youth long term
- Bre: As an Atlanta Public School alum, it means a lot to me to give back by mentoring and leading our youth through baseball and tennis. I truly enjoy connecting with APS families and being a positive influence in their lives.
- Mackenzi: I enjoy seeing the direct impact we make on the youth we serve. With many jobs, you don’t get to see the direct impact your work makes on your company’s consumers and beneficiaries. It’s fulfilling to see players grow and develop within our program over the years, and it’s reassurance that my hard work means something.
- Tyler: The fact that I’m being taught to develop players
- Jakari: Being able to have an impact in player’s lives and be a part of their growth.
- Glenn: I love my coworkers. They make it exciting when coming to work. Good or bad day.
- Royshun: An enjoyable experience with a dedicated organization. Very serious about what they do and they care about what’s best for the players as well.
- What do you dream about for our mission and your role in it?
- C.J.: By 2032, we will be nationally respected and locally loved, fueled by Ambassadors funding and leading this movement.
- Kelli: I dream about owning our facilities and I want to be an incubator and educator, bringing others to what we’ve built.
- Bre: My dream is for L.E.A.D. to become the national model for Sports-Based Youth Development. Pioneering a proven approach that makes a lasting impact on youth. By helping to structure our programming now, I hope to lay the foundation for a blueprint others can adopt and build upon.
- Mackenzi: I dream about L.E.A.D. having more of a national and global impact in the sport-based youth development space. The work we do is unparalleled, and I look forward to sharing it with a wider audience.
- Tyler: I dream of a LEAD baseball complex . My help would come in using another former ambassador (who works at an electrical light company). Collaborating on his company setting Lights around the parking lot and around the fields
- Jakari: To be the best of the best!
- Glenn: I dream about inspiring the younger generation for the better. I hope the boys can look to me and know I wouldn’t lead them in the wrong direction.
- Royshun: That we will meet the goals we have set in the end and I hope to say that I was a big part of the journey and contributed in an impactful way.
- What’s your superpower—your greatest strength—as it relates to our vision?
- C.J.: My superpower is prophetic vision—challenging the status quo and imagining what’s possible 10 years ahead.
- Kelli: Creating and maintaining empowering relationships
- Bre: My superpower is combining organization, intentionality, and authenticity. I focus not just on getting things done, but on doing them with purpose and sincerity.
- Mackenzi: I believe my superpower is my authenticity. I refuse to be anything but my unapologetic self, regardless of who is around or where I am. I believe this will take L.E.A.D. far, particularly the Lady Ambassadors Tennis Program.
- Tyler: leading youth, teaching baseball , reading
- Jakari: Being able to create a bond with the players to keep them around.
- Glenn: My greatest strength is my heart. It’s important to be genuine in the work that we do.
- Royshun: Relentless, all ways will strive for that goal no matter the situation. If we are knocked down and something doesn’t go our way, get back up. Find another solution and stay on track. Keep the eye on the goal and drive harder.
WHY THIS MATTERS
The world needs to understand how we build character, develop leaders, and transform lives through teamwork. This blog series will show the depth of our commitment to each other—and the youth we serve.
We don’t just run programs.
We launch people.
And for us, “program” is an acronym:
Purposeful Repetition Orchestrated for Growth, Resilience, Achievement, and Major League players and citizens.
