Today we’d like to introduce you to Cornell Wade
Hi Cornell , we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I am the executive director of the royalty institute of Leadership an Innovation. I have been a coach and educator since my sophomore year of college. I truly believe that education is the key to progress for the Black community and the liberation of our young men. I came back to my local school district upon graduation from college. I became the youngest High School head football coach in the state in February of 2015. We sent 40 young men to college over a 3 year time frame, before I moved to private school. Private school education opened my eyes to the possibility of education and spurred the creation of a school for black boys to become leaders. We opened in 2019, working with over 20 boys before COVID forced the closing of our school after just one year. 7 of those young men are currently in college. We expanded our offerings to include community outreach, mentoring services and summer camp programming while completing the steps needed to reopen the Royalty Institute for leadership and innovation. We have identified a building in our community to house the program and are actively raising funds to acquire this space. In short, creating this space for Black boys and girls is my lifes work
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The process of creating this program has been everything but a smooth road. Alot of unknown, alot of false promises and assistance that I choose not to focus on. I love what I do, the opportunity to create this is far greater than any obstacle or challenge that has arisen, but there have been plenty
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
The Royalty Institute is a school for Black boys, Grades 9-12 Preparing the Leaders of Tomorrow through Leadership Development and Innovative Skills Training in a christian, equitable environment. And a community outreach organization committed to serving the needs in our community. What sets us apart from others is the community approach to the development of tomorrows leaders in our community. I am most proud that our brand is grassroots and for the community. We offer all of our programs at low or no cost so that they are accessible to our community. I would like the readers to know that the Black community, specifically black boys have been under attack by every system in the united states for over a century, and if we do not collectively work together to combat these forces, we will not have a community very longer. We do not know it all, and welcome all to be a part of this return to Royalty
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
With the current political climate there is truly no telling where mainstream education will land. This is why it is imperative to create these places of growth and development for black children. The education industry does not prioritize or champion black children and if we do not reclaim this power our communities will continue to struggle
Pricing:
- https://www.royaltyinstitute.org/royalty-education-fund-2022 Please donate to the Royalty Education Fund to support our programming and the building of a campus for Black children in Prince Georges county Maryland –
Contact Info:
- Website: https://royaltyinstitute.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/royalty_institute/
- Other: https://www.royaltyinstitute.org/royalty-education-fund-2022
