Ada Anderson and Sherry Ransom
Ujima had the honor of attending the Leadership Educational Arts Program (LEAP) dinner and silent auction on Friday, January 8, 2010. It was a wonderful, warm and welcoming evening despite the cold weather outside.
The Mistress of Ceremonies for the evening was Miss Black Texas USA, Zakiya Larry. She kept the evening light and moving. The room was elegantly decorated in light blue and white. Sherry Ransom, the Executive Director of LEAP, welcomed the guest and introduced the board. The program included music and dancing from participants of LEAP, dinner, keynote speaker and presentation of honored guest.
Ujima reported on this organization in our August 2009 issue. Mrs. Ada Anderson is the founder of LEAP. She was honored for having an idea and making it come true for all the students who participated in the program over the years. The program began in 1989 as an outreach of the Austin Lyric Opera allowing Austin’s youth the opportunity to experience “a world far beyond their environment.” Participants develop qualities of trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and good citizenship.
Ujima could not tell you about this exciting event without mentioning the dynamic guest speaker Mr. Jonathan Sprinkles. You would have to be in the audience to feel his energy but there were three key points he spoke about to be successful and reach your possibilities.
1). Quit complaining and get off your “but” in life. Stop complaining about what you create. Expand your horizons and move pass the “what if’s?” Look at all the possibilities. Stop saying, “I would do that, but…”
2). Keep your confidence. Sprinkles stated, “fear is the absence of clarity.” He asked what do you say about yourself? What is your truth? And finally what do you believe about yourself? “Losers are based on failures and winners are based on completion,” stated Sprinkles.
3). Choose a champion. We need to ask ourselves are we the best at what we do? What does your champion do that you don’t do and how can I do it better?
Everyone in the audience got the impact of the speaker and his words of encouragement to be the best you can be and don’t give up. This is what LEAP works to instill into the participants of the program. LEAP cultivates education, exposure, and opportunity that lead to possibility. Anderson had it right and her idea continues to grow and motivate children in our community.
Ransom made an announcement regarding a new scholarship fund. This is where you the community can assist. The M.J. and Ada Collins Anderson Scholarship Fund. The scholarship program is in the early stages of development and it will be coordinated through LEAP. We will keep you posted.
Ujima was very proud to be apart of this event and we wish LEAP continued success. If you would like to volunteer or donate to the program you can call 512-836-5584 or visit their website is www.leapaustin.org.
“Our children are a message we send for a time we will not see.” Author Unknown
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