Our Work:
AYA Initiative is a 501(c)(3) federal tax-exempt organization that serves as an umbrella for NLTI and other initiatives. AYA, inspired by the African symbol for endurance, is committed to empowering individuals to reach their potential. With a leadership team rooted in extensive experience and networks, AYA works to address gender and racial inequities by preparing young adults to be global citizens and future leaders. We provide life and career skills training, promote post-secondary education, and encourage social justice service to strengthen communities. Our key goals include:
• To facilitate the matriculation of African American youth, especially first generation college students, from post-secondary education through preparation, support networks and resources, and leadership experiences.
• To build global citizen skills including strong communication, problem solving, and decision-making through social justice service and leadership development projects.
• To offer training and individual support that builds life and career skills that enable young
adults to effectively pursue a career path.
While there are regional efforts that work with similar age groups, we are focused on providing support to young adults who are unconnected and lack support systems, with an emphasis on reaching young people who would be first generation college students.
An Atlantic Journal article indicates, “[j]ust 11 percent of low-income students who are the first in their family to attend college will have a college degree within six years of enrolling in school. This stems from many issues. Students from low-income backgrounds often attend high schools without rigorous college-prep tracks, meaning their access to good information on higher education may be inadequate. Many of them are also significantly behind academically, which stymies them from applying or being accepted to certain schools. And to make matters worse, thousands of colleges across the country lack resources or programs earmarked for low income or first generation students. That means that, while many schools enroll these students, few are equipped to actually graduate them” (First-Generation College-Goers: Unprepared and Behind, Riggs 12/2014). It is this glaring need that our initiative is resolved to respond through proactive strategies that create long term support.
Grant Writing
We are available to work with you from concept development to researching potential grant sources to writing your grant proposal. We can also assist with logic models, project budgets, and outcome charts.
"Insight to Ink"
We help bring your writing goals to life with personalized support from experienced writing professionals. Whether you’re looking to refine your own work or need expert assistance in crafting your story, our services are designed to meet your unique needs.
Ghostwriting: Our skilled ghostwriters work behind the scenes to turn your ideas into a polished manuscript. From books to articles, we bring your vision to life, maintaining your voice and message every step of the way.
Writing Coach: If you prefer a more hands-on approach, our writing coaches guide you through the creative process. Offering expert feedback, accountability, and tailored strategies. We help you refine your skills, overcome writer's block, and finish your project with confidence.
Christian Education Training's
Growing spiritually is an exciting adventure. As individuals and congregations, we change, we are renewed, and we share in renewing God’s creation daily. Spiritual growth is a lifelong process, and training as well as development in spiritual disciplines are the means by which we continue that process. We provide tailored ministry trainings for both congregational leader's and for laity.
Community/Faith-based Training's
We offer educational, professional, and career development training tailored for community and faith-based organizations. Our trainings focus on addressing community needs while integrating faith values. Key aspects include collaborative partnerships, financial literacy, mental health awareness, and more, all designed to strengthen individuals and empower communities for lasting impact.
