Our mission is to train high-potential teens and young adults who have demonstrated a passion for and willingness to give back to and be active leaders, educators, and mentors within their communities.

Our vision is to create a generation of future professionals who are uniquely equipped to use their expertise and skills to reduce inequities and exponentially improve minority communities.

We are conducting a brief survey in an attempt to better understand mentoring relationships so that we can more effectively train potential mentors and mentees.

Our goal is to understand what makes these relationships work, what types of trainings are necessary for both mentors and mentees, what both parties should expect from each other, and what both parties should actively do to build a productive, reciprocal relationship.

Please take less than 10 minutes to answer 10 survey questions.

In 2008, the Charlotte A. Lewis Foundation, Inc. established the Charles James Bate, M.D. Chairman's Scholarship to honor, encourage, and financially assist exemplary students attending Meharry Medical College who are committed to providing healthcare services and education to their communities upon graduation, while honoring the legacy of Charles James Bate, M.D.

The Charles James Bate, M.D. Chairman's Scholarship recipients are each awarded $5,000. Email scholarships@calfoundation.org for a full application. The application is due July15, 2010.

The LTI is going to be a selective training program that teaches students to be leaders and mentors through interactive workshops, intergenerational mentoring, service on a non profit board, and more. Students will complete training sessions on the following topics:

1. Leadership styles and team-building 2. Professional self-awareness and brand-building 3. Sensitivity/cultural issues 4. Public speaking 5. Emotional intelligence 6. How to be a good mentor/How to be a good mentee

All students who graduate from LTI will serve on the Young Leaders Board (YLB). Among other things, the YLB will organize various community service projects in underserved communities. Each board member will serve at least two years on the YLB and serve as a mentor to a student currently participating in the LTI.

All essay scholarship applicants will be invited to apply for our Essay Pro Editing program, which includes Essay Pro College Admissions, a sub program especially for seniors applying to college.

All participants a) will benefit from a comprehensive writing workshop and b) may submit up to three essays to our editors, who will review essays for grammar, style, theme, maturity, originality, and overall effectiveness.

We awarded our second "Get Involved with Issues that Affect Your Community" Essay Contest Scholarship to Jasmine Holloman of Chesapeake, Virginia.

Jasmine addressed the following question: Many say "education is the ultimate equalizer." However, there are enormous disparities in educational achievement across class and race. Which aspects of education reform do you believe are necessary to equalize opportunities for success, and what coalitions do you propose be formed in order to help such reform take place?