LEADS: About Us

Overview: LEADS at Spelman College

Established in 2003 as the vision of the ninth president of Spelman College, Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum, the Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement (LEADS) is the center of choice for transforming women leaders. Using a model based on the historic experiences of African American women, contemporary research and progressive thinking, LEADS prepares women to be authentic, ethical leaders in a changing world.

Additionally, LEADS promotes the financial empowerment and economic development of Black women, embraces the transformational power of the artist as a community leader, and encourages dialogue across difference.

To accomplish its goals, LEADS uses a vast mix of innovative program offerings to prepare Spelman women to lead on a global stage:

• Our Student Leadership Programs provide leadership training and mentoring opportunities with a diverse group of leaders from the public and private sector.
  
• Our Student Community Service Programs teach students the importance of giving back through volunteerism and overseas service trips that highlight economic issues outside the African American culture.
  
• Our Public Programs bring together dynamic women leaders from around the globe to share best leadership practices, discuss policy issues and serve as role models for emerging student leaders.
  
• Our Research Programs provide insight into the views and values of women of color.

LEADS provides Spelman students who have made a choice to change the world with the resources and information needed to become leading women who are leading change. In this way, LEADS builds on Spelman’s rich legacy of shaping the future — one leader at a time.

A Glimpse into the Future: The LEADS Vision

LEADS is a leadership development center that strives to transform Spelman students into leaders who will be catalysts for change in today’s global society. Through LEADS, students are afforded opportunities to discuss leadership issues with an exceptional cadre of women leaders including alumnae, corporate partners and community members.

At the same time, LEADS provides women leaders from diverse backgrounds with an environment to share leadership styles and create global alliances.

LEADS will become a resource for anyone concerned about the development of the next generation of Black female leaders and will position Spelman as a national repository of leadership information focused on Black women.

Meet the LEADS Team