A team from Oakwood's Bradford-Cleveland-Brooks Leadership Center (BCBLC) recently returned from Ghana's Valley View University, where they responded to a request to assist in the establishment of the first denominationally sponsored leadership center in Africa.

Drs. Harold Lee, Prudence Pollard and Keith Augustus Burton met with representatives from the University Administration and Union office and discussed how the leadership programs at Oakwood could inform the development of Valley View University's proposed Center for Entrepreneurship and Leadership Training (CELT).

Dr. Prudence Pollard's explanation of the Leadership Academy concept was enthusiastically embraced, and there was vibrant discussion after Dr. Lee's presentation on how a well-developed program could address the "leadership crisis" in the church. The discussions also included suggestions on how current global initiatives of Oakwood's Center for Adventist-Muslim Relations (CAMROU) could strengthen the entrepreneurship emphasis in CELT.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Valley View administration had committed to commence operations as early as Spring 2014 (after receiving the necessary approvals).

When fully implemented, CELT will incorporate undergraduate and graduate degree programs; ongoing professional development for university employees on all levels; and continuing education certifications for pastors, local church leaders and business people.