The pilot academy of the SJLI is called the Black Male Youth Academy (“BMYA”). BMYA works with approximately 20-25 African-American youths 4 days a week, over the academic school year

The academy curriculum covers the following units:

• Cultural Empowerment
• Identity Development 
• Life Skills Training
• Civic Engagement

BMYA course include:

• Understanding Manhood
• Aspiration Assessment/Development                                                    
• Colleges, Jobs and Training 
• Understanding History, Emancipation and Civil Rights
• Preparation and Practice Testing for the SAT, ACT, and CAHSEE/CST 
• Learning Yourself
• Researching Family
• Civic Engagement
• Youth Research Project.

BMYA has been running for 4-years and has shown measurable successes. BMYA collects and analyzes data to look for a measurable impact upon standardized test scores and grades. The academy is a constant research and development process. Random class periods are recorded and analyzed to review which teaching techniques work the best. This research allows us to constantly improve upon our program model and keeps us on the cutting edge of research in the field of education. Goals of this program include:

• Developing study habit skills and test-taking strategies.
• Financial planning (for college and adulthood).
• Life skills training including leadership development, building self-esteem, positive self-awareness and life-long self-sufficiency.
• Mentoring to overcome challenges and barriers to school and life success.
• Academic Enrichment and Life Skills Workshops.
• Helping students engage in their communities to create change.