ANNAPOLIS — Through strong partnerships, a strong team and an enthusiastic group of future leaders, the Annapolis Arts, Sports and Leadership Academy (AASaLA) is returning to the Roger Pip Moyer recreation Center for a summer of basketball and leadership training for the entire family.
Led by regional non-profit, Men Aiming Higher, Inc. (MIH), the City of Annapolis’ Recreation Department and supported by a host of other city, state, business, nonprofit agencies and organizations, the AASALA will begin shaping the experiences for 180 boys and girls from ages 8 – 17 for the third year in a row.
A kick off event will be held on Saturday, June 17, 2017 at the Pip Moyer Recreation Center located at 273 Hilltop Lane in Annapolis from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
For decades the basketball courts and baseball diamonds at the City of Annapolis Truxton Park and recently, the Roger Pip Moyer center have served as places to bring the community together. Now people of all ages, ethnic and economic backgrounds from the cities of Annapolis and Baltimore, along with Anne Arundel, Prince George’s and Charles counties will be able to participate in the Third Annual Wiley H. Bates Leadership Academy and Summer Basketball League.
The program gives families a safe haven in an environment filled with constructive and fun opportunities for youth to interact with youth from around the city, county and state.
“Now more than ever, our young people must learn to implement the ‘Paul Robeson/Wiely H. Bates’ approach of becoming highly talented in multiple areas. We no longer live in a one or two-dimensional society. We live in a global society and must learn to compete in the classroom and on technology platforms from elementary school to retirement,” said Darius A. Stanton, Sr., Board Chair, AASaLA.
Launched last year, the leadership academy provides youth and their families with the tools to have a productive and eventful summer and includes the Wiley H. Bates Legacy Center Summer Basketball League and Arts program.
Board Chair, Stanton promised that the Academy would continue its activities throughout the school year— one such program is the monthly collaboration with the EMBODI (Empowering Males to Build Opportunities for Developing Independence), a program of the Annapolis Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., which served over 75 youth throughout the program year.
The Academy is being further enhanced with additional components, including: a Parenting University that will take place at half time. The whole family is encouraged to participate in the programs, designed to motivate families to create a positive impact in the community.
The program content was derived from results of a survey of the parents in the community to determine what they wanted to take away from the “PARENTS Half Time Show!”
Jeremy Newkirk, president and founder of Go Virtual Green will focus on leadership development through critical thinking and common core principles by using technology to explore math, science and reading comprehension.
All participating youth will receive nutritious food and snacks during the academy and all games will be posted once a week at: www.elifemdia.net.