At L.E.A.D. Center For Youth, every month we lean into a core value that shapes the way we live, serve, and lead. This month — September — our focus is humility.
Humility, as we define it, is simple yet powerful:
Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of others more.
That definition matters. Humility doesn’t mean shrinking or playing small. It means serving others, valuing others, and leading with others in mind — while still knowing your own worth.
Why Humility Matters
LEAD exists to advance equity and well-being through youth sports. Our vision is to become the global standard for overcoming barriers to success for underrepresented youth in sports.
The young people we primarily serve — Black youth in Atlanta Public Schools, grades 3–12, ages 8–18 — carry heavy loads both on and off the field. For them, humility is not just a nice quality. It’s a leadership trait that helps them build trust, strengthen teams, and keep learning even when life feels unfair.
When they practice humility, they discover a kind of strength that goes deeper than talent. It’s the strength of character.
How We Develop Humility
LEAD’s year-round programming follows a four-phase development cycle:
- Assessment (Aug–Oct): Identifying what youth can and can’t do. This requires humility to face the truth honestly.
- Engagement (Nov–Jan): Teaching and testing new strategies. Humility allows them to try, fail, and try again.
- Empowerment (Feb–Apr): Giving responsibility and authority. Humility keeps empowerment grounded in service, not ego.
- Application (May–Jul): Putting lessons into real action. Humility ensures success is shared, not hoarded.
September falls in the assessment phase, which makes humility especially important. Without humility, assessment can turn into excuses or pride. With humility, assessment becomes the starting point for growth.
HUMILITY: Eight Words, Seven Voices
Here’s something special: LEAD has seven staff members — and the word humility can be expressed through eight words. To bring this value to life, each of us is taking one word, with C.J. Stewart carrying two.
We’ll be sharing a short series of videos, where each staff member answers a question connected to their word:
- H – Honor: How do you honor others before yourself?
- U – Understand: Why is it important to understand before being understood?
- M – Model: What does it look like to model humility for young people?
- I – Inspire: How do you inspire others through acts of service?
- L – Listen: Why is listening with empathy so powerful?
- I – Invest: In what ways do you invest in the growth of others?
- T – Truth: Why is telling the truth with love an act of humility?
- Y – Yield: How do you yield credit and share success with others?
Who’s sharing each word?
- H – C.J. Stewart, Co-founder and Chief Visionary Officer
- U – JaKari Wade, Baseball/Tennis Program Coordinator and LEAD Ambassador Alum
- M – Glenn Brown, Baseball Program Coordinator
- I – Tyler Williams, Baseball Program Coordinator and LEAD Ambassador Alum
- L – Mackenzi Stewart, Director of Tennis
- I – Kelli Stewart, Co-founder and CEO
- T – C.J. Stewart, Co-founder and Chief Visionary Officer
- Y – Breana “Bre” McClendon, Director of Programs and Strategic Partnerships
Together, these eight reflections will show humility not just as a word, but as a daily practice.
Different, Not Just Better
LEAD doesn’t exist to be “better” than anyone else. We exist to be different — and difference creates a differential advantage.
Being better is about competition. Being different is about conviction. Our conviction is that we develop Major League Citizens as well as Major League Players. Humility is at the core of that difference.
This is why families choose LEAD. This is why donors and partners invest in us. Because humility is not a slogan here — it’s the way we move, teach, and serve.
Join Us in Practicing Humility
This month, we invite you to walk with us in humility. Watch our staff videos. Share them with others. Reflect on how humility shows up in your own life.
Because humility isn’t weakness. It’s the foundation of greatness.
LEAD Center For Youth: Advancing equity and well-being through youth sports.
