The Leadership Training Institute & Mobile
Training Laboratory
Leadership Training Institute
Washington, D.C.
Prologue - The year was 1972,
the place was the huge 4 story red brick building located on the crest of a hill of the 20
plus acre grounds at the mouth of the city of Washington, DC. It has since been developed
into the growing model community of new homes titled "Fort Lincoln".
In 1972 it was the site of
Y.O.U.'s Leadership Training Institute, where attendees from Y.O.U. member organizations
from all across the USA came for 90 day Training Cycles.
They came from as far away
as Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and from the inner city ghettos of San Francisco's Mission
District and Chinatown, Watts in Los Angeles, Cabrini Green and the South Side of Chicago,
Desire Projects in New Orleans, New York's Harlem and Spanish Harlem, the Lower East Side,
Brooklyn, The Bronx and Long Island ~ they came from Philadelphia, Little Rock, New
Mexico, Detroit and Native American Reservations in Minnesota and South Dakota. They came
~ Asian, Chicano, Cuban, Puerto Rican, Native American Indian, Hawaiian, African-American
and White.
They came to Learn, they
came to Share, they came to Teach. They sometimes came as rivals and even enemies ~
Strangers to one another ~ they found that their commonalties outweighed their
differences. They found they could share in the same Visions for a Brighter Future. They
grew as Friends and by the end of the 90 day Training Cycle, they were as Extended Family
members ~ One to Another.
Leadership Training
Institute (L.T.I.) or "The Hill" as it affectionately came to be called by those
who filled the Staff and Student Dormitories for the 4 to 5 years of it's life-span, had a
life and energy all of it's own. It inherited that from all who graced its entrance, and
all who learned in its Classrooms and shared in its Workshops. It blossomed from the scope
of members coming from more than 250 organizations from all cultures, races, lifestyles,
and backgrounds. It glowed with radiance from those who came as Individuals and left with
the sense of power, purpose and ability that being part of a Special Group, brings.
They came ~ they learned,
they shared they grew and they left, each taking new Skills, Talents, Purpose and
Direction and a sense of Self-Realization, back with them, to their Home Neighborhoods and
Communities. Young Men and Women Both, helping to Steer and Shape the Future, all across
the breath and width of America.
Curriculum at the Leadership Training
Institute included ~
o Individual and
Group Dynamics
o Problem Solving
and Conflict Resolution
o Information
Gathering & Statistical Survey
o Technical and
Proposal Writing
o Reinforcement
Psychology and Behavior Modification
o Communication
Skills
o Public Speaking
and Interview Skills
o Video Tape Systems
Workshop
I
was there, a part of it all, an Experience of a Lifetime.
The Property and Building
had been the site of A Reform School, many years ago, and I can remember as a child,
riding by it in the car with my parents, and only imagining what went on behind the
fences, and how lucky I was that I was on the outside and not one of the Juvenile
Delinquents sent there to serve time. Back in those days, the Film, “Angels With
Dirty Faces”, with James Cagney, and Humphrey Bogart or “Boys Town” with
Mickey Rooney, were the images one had of A Reform School!
How could I have ever
dreamed, that as a young man, I would become a Counselor and Trainer, at this very place,
in the years to come? Fate or the Cosmos, must look down on us and Smile or Laugh …
Knowing what the Future May Hold for Each of Us, and Watching the Years Pass as We Go
about Our Lives ~ and Toward Reaching Our Destinies!
I was just finishing up my
last year of High School, and I had become an Assistant to Y.O.U.’s Executive
Director, Melvin Coley. My High School friends, Ted Smith and Rickey Heart, had introduced
me to Melvin, and He and I had formed an instant Bond, that would last for many years to
come and endure many Adventures.
Much like the Y.O.U.,
“Shadow System”, where an older person becomes A Mentor for a Youth, Melvin had
a unique and dynamic personality, that endeared him to Everyone He Met and Touched!
It’s somewhat Amazing to meet a person like this. Everywhere You Go and Everyone You
Meet with them, just seem to be Magically Embracing of Him! They Love Him, and are Always
Overjoyed to See Him, and Never Want Him to Leave! “Amazing to be in the Company of a
Person like that, and Witness the Magic They seem to Emit!”
Melvin was a Native
Washingtonian, former Parachute and Special Forces Military, and seemed to Know Everyone
in Washington, DC!! As Melvin’s “Shadow”, he took me to meet Congressmen,
National and Local Leaders, Business Men and Women, and Street People! Melvin had endless
Energy, and that is probably what accounted for him being a Mentor to 10 or 12 Youth,
instead of just one. Ted Smith and I became closest to Melvin, and often referred to Him
as “Our Older Brother”. Stranger still, Melvin and I, physically favored a great
deal, and so on occasion, People actually mistakenly thought that I was He. That was quite
funny!
Ted Smith and I, both
became Assistants to Melvin, in his position as Y.O.U. Executive Vice President. We
increasingly spent more time at the Y.O.U. National Office Headquarters, and became
fixtures that all of the Staff there adopted. Being in the Office, we also met many of the
National Leaders from Y.O.U. Member Organizations, when they would fly in to Washington,
DC, from all across the USA. It was not unusual to see them featured on one of the
Television News or Talk Shows like “Panorama” with Maury Povich, and then meet
them in person there in the Office after they left the Television Studio.
One such memorable meeting
for me, was the day I had seen the Founders of A.I.M. – The American Indian Movement
on Television, and then a short time later, in the Office front door, walked Russell Means
and Dennis Banks! Both “Larger then Life” and at the forefront of the Native
American Indian Rights Movement! A.I.M. was a Y.O.U. Member Organization, and Dennis and
Russell were in town on Organization Business.
Here, again, little could I
know that Destiny or Fate, had another meeting for me in store, with Dennis, some 20 years
to come in the future with The Walk For Justice! How Fate must Smile at these Destiny
Crossroads!
Above photos of Russell Means on Left and Dennis Banks,
right (and myself)
Y.O.U. had established The Leadership
Training Institute, to bring 2 Representatives from Each of its Member Organizations, to
Washington, DC, for 3 months of Training in Technical Skills that the Representatives
would take back home to benefit their Organizations. Can you begin to imagine the
Planning, Coordination and Oversight, such an endeavor would encompass? Let me tell You,
that it was a Noble, but huge Project!
Y.O.U. was able to bring the LTI into Reality, through
Program Funding and Grants. The Government gave us a Lease for the Building, because it
was a Youth and Education Program. This Grant Money, paid for everything else. Roundtrip
Airplane Tickets for all of the Student Representatives from all across the USA, Alaska,
Hawaii and Puerto Rico.
A Stiphen, for each and every Representative, (which is like an Allowance or Salary while
they are in the 3 month Training Cycle), Staff Salaries, Meal Tickets for everyone, to eat
3 meals a day at the Cafeteria, in a separate Building nearby, 2 Buses and a Station Wagon
for Program Transportation, all the Gasoline needed for them, and all related Program
Operational Expenses! Can You Imagine that?? All we ever had to do was Fill
the Gas Tank up, and then Sign for it!
The first Program Director
of LTI – The Leadership Training Institute, had been it’s dynamic Y.O.U.
Southern Regional Vice-President, Bobby Brown! No, it’s not the Bad Boy Bobby Brown,
that You are thinking of from the singing group New Edition, this Bobby Brown, was from
Little Rock, Arkansas. He and Melvin were close friends, and I had the chance to get to
know him well. Bobby had not only been the Director who oversaw bringing LTI from Dream to
Reality, but he had run the Institute for the first years
Overseeing the
day to day operations of the Instiute and all of the people that it involved, was a real
job! It was decided that Melvin would take over as the new LTI Program Director, and carry
on where Bobby Brown had left off. Having done such a Herculean Job, Bobby was ready for a
vacation and some time off to spend back in Arkansas, his Home Turf. The stress of running
the Program had also taken it's toll on Bobby, as it had turned his dark brown hair to
showing too much premature gray!
Melvin took over the reins
of The Leadership Training Institute, and took Ted and I along with him. The Experiences
to come, would have profound affects on my life, bring me in contact with people from All
Races and Walks of Life, and help to Shape my Love of Teaching!
The parcel of land that the
Institute sat on, was at the mouth of the City, and everyone driving in from New York or
Maryland would pass right by it, as they entered Washington, DC. Although there were
several Buildings on the land, most were out of view, as one drove by. The entrance to the
property was a long, long, winding road, leading up a steep hill to the crest where it
leveled off. The View from the top of the Hill was amazing, and it was one of the highest
points of land in the entire City.
Our Leadership Training
Institute Program Building was at the end of the road at the top of the crest. Surrounded
by tall trees and green rolling hills, it was like stepping out of the City and into the
Country, without ever leaving! Tall Columns graced the frontage, and a huge
green metal door led inside. Upon entering, there were the Administrative and Staff
offices off to the right, and a huge Classroom beckoned to the left. Most Visitors were
given the Tour, and this Classroom was the very first stop.
Walking into the Classroom,
it’s open expanse made an immediate impression. The light shade of yellow that the
room was painted in, added to the open feeling. Sunlight poured in from the massive
windows lining each of the walls.
On all of the Walls, around
the entire Classroom were Signs and Posters made by the Students from each of the 90 day
Cycles or Modules. They reflected Their Thoughts, Ideas, Axioms and Quotations, chosen by
the Students themselves. Entering the Room, one could stand turn and Read the Signs as the
lettering was large.
“Up Is The Direction Of My People!”
“The First Rule of The Game, Is That ~ It is Not A Game!”
“Ladies: If Your Head Is between Your Legs ~ You Get F**cked
Twice!”
Hey! Remember I told You that these were Ex-Gang Members from the Streets! I hope
that didn’t shock You too badly, but Students were encouraged to Express Themselves
and Their Real Thoughts and Feelings … How else can You Really Know Them? And How can
You ever Reach Them and Teach Them, if You never Really Know Them??
Well, those were but a few
of the more memorable Student Signs. I had always wanted to Publish them as part of the
Leadership Training Institute Memoirs.
Back in the Entrance Hall,
a stairway led up to the second floor. Here were living quarters for 2 of the on-site
Staff, as well as more Classrooms. The Third floor was Dormitory floor for Men and the
Fourth floor was reserved for Women. Staff Counselors were always on hand to keep order
and make sure that the men and women “remembered” which floors their rooms were
on … (smile)
Melvin had decided that he
wanted me to come on-board with the Program in the capacity of Counselor / Trainer. That
meant that I to attend training classes. The Team that was selected and brought in to
provide the Training for the Instructors was ULSA. United
Leadership Systems Associates. They were a Team of Trainers
who had Expertise and Experience in a wide range of Disciplines.
One was Jim Jackson, who was a noted Psychologist and
Chemist and Member of the National Psychologists Association. Jim also was a Black Belt
Judoka, and gave some private Judo instruction to a small group of us, after hours in free
time. Jim provided the training in Reinforcement Psychology
and Behavior Modification.
Vern was another of the
Team. He was an older more reserved and distinguished looking gentleman. He liked to smoke
a pipe and had a quiet manner about him that gave little indication of his years of
service as a CIA Field Operative. A first impression of Vern led one to not be able to
help but notice that he was Missing An Ear. It is not something that one asks, to
be polite, but I was later to learn that Vern had lost it on a CIA Mission, when his
identity had been discovered by enemy forces, and that the price that they had extracted
for his Intelligence Gathering against them, had been to Cut Off One Ear! That made the
Spy Game, a little all too Real, from imagined Escapades of Agent 007 serving on His
Majesty’s Secret Service, to what surely could have been the loss of his life! Much
more so, having to go through life with that as a daily reminder stuck a deep empathetic
cord with me!
When it came to
Intelligence, or “Information Gathering”, Vern was an endless wealth of knowledge! In case You are wondering, just
“Why” our Leadership Program included it among it’s Skills … well the
answer is quite simple. Most Programs Need Funding and Support, and to do that, an Outline
of the Programs Goals and Projected Budget have to be Written in a Proposal format. As
many of the Community based Organizations were running Programs suited to the Needs of
Their Community, the Tools to Gather the Data needed to show this, and substantiate the
validity of the Program meeting those Community Needs, went a long way toward helping to
get Successful Funding.
After the Information
Gathering, Statistical Analysis,
and Technical Writing, for the
Proposal, Information Gathering also provided the Keys for the Organization to do the
Research to find the Funding Sources, as they do change from year to year. This helped
each Organization become more Self-Reliant, Independent and less dependant on our Grant
Specialist, Frank Smith, at the National Y.O.U. Office.
I hope to be able to pass
on to You, some of the Invaluable Insight and Knowledge that Vern taught me, in upcoming
Blogs. It was Vern who taught me about “Think Tanks” and the Research and Publishing of the “Information” that the RAND Corporation does each year, that helps
The Richest People and Corporations … become Richer! Believe it!
Another member of the Team
was Ron. He was a Technical Writing and Communications Specialist. Getting A Proposal Funded successfully had a lot to do with the way it
was written. That was Ron’s area of expertise, along with teaching Interviewing
Skills, Public Speaking and Debate ~ all Tools that could prove invaluable to any
Organization! Ron was also somewhat of a Historian. When he learn of my interests, he
began to share with me, copies of Historic Documents from notable figures like Fredrick
Douglas, Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois. He even gave me copies of copies that he
had, of handwritten Documents by these famous people.
My Instructor Training was
intense, but I enjoyed all of the Worlds of New Knowledge that the ULSA Team was
imparting! Upon successful completion, I was Awarded a Certificate at the Graduation
Ceremony, which I immediately framed, and has hung on my wall of Achievements, these past
many years. I still use much of the Training that I received from the Team, and have never
stopped being impressed with the Insight it gives me, and the Capabilities it provides! It
often amazes others, who Wonder …
“Wherever Did You Learn That??”
Being the youngest
Counselor / Instructor at the Institute was no easy feat. The Student Attendees who were
Street Smart, and full of Bravado, wanted to put me To The Test, before accepting that I
was capable of Teaching Them Anything. They Did … (smile) … “Put Me To The
Test” … and, I Passed! In some ways, I think that they were even more impressed
that such a young guy could provide them with “New
Keys to Knowledge!”
My time at The Leadership
Training Institute is Memorable to this Day! I Shared a lot, and I, in turn, also Learned
a lot! The ULSA Team remained on during our initial cycle, to sit back and watch us Teach
The Students, and then Critique and add their Tips and Guidance for each of us, to help us
improve as Instructors.
I could go on and on, but
for the sake of space, and out of consideration to my Readers … YOU … I’ll
only touch on a few high points.
One day, shortly after I
had just been issued my Drivers License, Melvin pulled me aside and told me that we had a
VIP Guest arriving in town at the airport. The next thing I knew, Melvin was throwing me
the car keys to his new Black LTD Ford, with time and flight information, and with
instructions to pick our VIP up from the airport! Well, I had just got my drivers license,
and hadn’t had time to get much experience driving in traffic, so of course I felt
more then a little “shaky” about the assignment.
Here is where, A Mentor’s Confidence in You, really makes a Difference! Melvin had the confidence in me, and that, very important factor
Gave Me The Self-Confidence to do it! Now, the Downtown Traffic in Washington, DC can be a
nightmare! The National Airport, which is in Virginia, just across the 14th
Street Bridge, can be a daily area of car accidents. Put the two together, and You have a
new driver’s Worst Nightmare! But, with Melvin’s rock solid
confidence in me, I couldn’t let him down.
At the last minute before I
left, Melvin informed me that our VIP guest was going to take a Taxi from the Airport, and
that I should proceed to pick him up from the Downtown Y.O.U. National Office. “Whew!”
What a lucky break, I thought!
From a shaky start, my
self-confidence grew, as I became more comfortable the further I drove, and closer I got
to my destination. The one factor that kept me Glowing Inside, was that Melvin had
entrusted me, to drive a brand new expensive LTD Ford, knowing that I had little driving
experience! His Faith in Me, Pushed Me to
Strive and Achieve New Personal Heights, in
all of the many years to follow! I NEVER forgot that, and I ALWAYS used the very same
Formula to help Instill Self-Confidence in all of the many Students that I have since
taught … An Invaluable Lesson!
Oh, and I bet You may be wondering just who that VIP
Guest was that I had to pick up … right? Well it was one of The Rockefeller Brothers! The years have
passed, and I don’t think that it was David or Nelson Rockefeller, more probably
another of Rockefeller Brothers, but I honestly can’t remember to be sure. At the
time, I wasn’t aware of just how important and influential He was, but later learned
all about The Rockefeller Foundation, and one of America’s oldest and Richest
Families!
The LTI Staff was a close
knit group, and we all Supported one another, in whatever was needed towards the Goal of
Keeping the Institute running smoothly each day and night.
I wish that I had photos of
all the staff to share, but unfortunately, all of those were lost in a building fire many
years ago.
My hat’s off to my LTI
Colleagues and I fondly remember them all ~ Ted, Greer, “Big Sam” (a Lady),
Ronald “Clayborn”, Forrest aka “Trees”, Patricia, Andrea and Todd
Wright.
I got along well with all
of the Students and Attendees, but of course some stand out and become favorites ~ among
them was Rhassan Powell from upstate New York, David aka “The Chicano Godfather”
(Chicano = Mexican-American), from Mission Rebels in San Francisco, “Iceberg”
from North Carolina, Gaynelle Simms from Miami, Jimmy from Puerto Rico, and Jill and
Jennifer, who affectionately came to be nicknamed, “Pineapple” and “Papaya”
as they were both from Hawaii!
One more among the crew, who’s name escapes me right now … although I can still
see his face clearly. He was the younger brother, whose brother played with Jorge Santana!
He was living in New Mexico, and when he visited my house, I gave him my “Malo”
Album … which I later felt really stupid about, because his Brother played with the
Chicano Music Group – “Malo!” But, it was a heartfelt gesture that I had
done on the spur of the moment, after I had put it on to play, and he had incredibly told
me that his Brother was part of that very group!! Amazing, eh?
We would have other notable
VIPs, Guests, Supporters and Musicians lend their efforts to our Programs. From Sammy
Davis Junior to The Delfonics to Jazz Vocalist, Jean Carne. Meeting Congressmen, National
Leaders and influential “Movers and Shakers”, was just a part of the Y.O.U. ~
L.T.I. Story!
These are but a few of my
most Memorable Moments at L.T.I. As Time goes on, one tends to Cherish these types of
memories, and hold them even closer to the Heart!
As a Tribute to the Efforts
and Achievements of All Those Who Were A Part of “Making It Happen”, and in
Homage to Those Who are no longer with Us in Body, but Continue to Be With Us In Spirit ~
Mel “The Colonel” Coley, Theodore “Teddy” Smith, Eric, Absalomn,
Keith, Bobby, Warren “Gil” Gilmore, Willie Pedro Vasquez, Angel Diaz, Jimmy in
PR, Rhassan, the fantastic Team at ULSA, and All of My Brothers and Sisters ~
“You Are Truly Unsung Heroes and Heroines!”
** And You Are Not Forgotten!!
So, “What became of
The Leadership Training Institute, You ask?” Well, as with all things, unfortunately,
their Time Comes to Pass, but when “One Door Closes,
Another Always Opens!”
In 1972 or there about, the
government decided that such a choice piece of property should be developed into a modern
planned model community, and so it ended our lease and it was time to pack up Leadership
Training Institute for the move to another home.
This very event leads into
my Next Blog, and a Saga that Continues until this day, but allow me to momentarily pause
to add the final Chapter to the Y.O.U. Saga …
The Difference that The Leadership Training Institute,
made on the Lives of All who attended, and All Who Their Knowledge and Skills Touched, was
far too great a thing to let die … so, the Talented, Creative Y.O.U. National Staff,
came up with an Alternative Program!
If “Mohammed Can’t
Come to the Mountain, then We’ll Take The Mountain to Mohammed!”
The Genius folks at Y.O.U.
developed ~ The Mobile Training Laboratory!
Instead of having Representatives from Y.O.U. Member
Organizations, all across the USA coming to Washington, DC to attend the Leadership
Training Institute, We Took The Training Institute On The Road To all of the Cities across
the USA where our Y.O.U. Member Organizations were!!! Are You Impressed??
Our Program for The Mobile Training Laboratory, consisted of
the BIGGEST Luxury Mobile Home or RV (Recreational Vehicle) that the Ford Motor Company
made, driving our Y.O.U. ~ L.T.I. Staff of Instructors, all across the USA, visiting and
training, On-Site at our Y.O.U. Member Organizations!
That’s another Story,
and already I feel as if I have burdened Your Eyes, and Boggled Your Brain, and Imposed on
Your Endless Patience, with my Epic Tales of Y.O.U. So, I will in fact, save that Story
for another day.
My participation in the
Y.O.U. - Mobile Training Laboratory, driving the Big Mobile Home, The
Cities we Visited and Organizations we stayed with while Training, and the many Staff
Adventures, can wait for A Blog of Their Own! Don’t You Agree??
Next, to continue the Final
Chapter of The Leadership Training Institute, and Introduce You to The Legendary Native
American Indian Chief of the Sioux ~ Chief Sitting Bull!
Won’t You Join Me, in
my Next Blog Adventure … (Smile)
Next Post: LTI
– Sitting Bull – On the Pow Wow Highway
Previous Post: Y.O.U. - Youth
Organizations United
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