Who We Are
The African-American Leadership Institute (AALI) is a 501 ©3 nonprofit organization that focuses on leadership development. This service has been provided to adults and youth in the Greater Metropolitan Denver area since 1990. We have graduated 227 adults from the program and provided mentoring programs to more than 15,000 boys and girls, grades 4-12.

History
The African-American Leadership Institute (AALI) started as a vision from concerned citizens including Mr. Larry Borom (at the time he was President of the Urban League of Metropolitan Denver) Ms. Helen Perry, Mr. Bob Jackson and Mr. Walter Jones, Esq. It was not until 1990 that the program found a home, Metropolitan State College of Denver. The President, Dr. Tom Brewer and Dr. David Williams, Provost, agreed that this type of program would fit very well with the vision of the college. Dr. Ronald Knights was selected to serve as the Executive Director. Hence, a unique approach was utilized to address the special concerns of African Americans. The curriculum was developed to address the industrial, economic, social, educational and spiritual well-being of the African-American community. In the Spring of 1990 the AALI recruited its first class, which graduated in 1991.
Historically, class participants have been involved with AALI projects such as, Expanding The Visions (ETV), a conference for African-American boys; Sistah Pride conference for girls, the Wonderful Outdoor World (WOW); the Junior Leadership; and the Safe City Youth Diversion Leadership Program. Over the years additional programs were added: Spirits of Tomorrow, a program that introduced youth to a Historical Black College, Southern University; Jazz Garden, focusing on music and academic achievement; the Youth Empowerment and Success Institute, a learning program for youth that focused on personal growth and development, and most recently in 2010 alumni volunteered with youth at the Tubman Hilliard Global Academy in preparation for the Denver Metro Regional Science Fair.

The AALI Alumni consists of 227 graduates as of 2010. These individuals were sponsored by their employers in private business, government, nonprofit, law enforcement, the construction industry, media, colleges and universities, health care, k-12 education, state and local transportation, the arts, communication, local government, aerospace and engineering, insurance, and entrepreneurship. The AALI is honored to partner with these organization as we join together to exchange ideas for the purpose of networking for national, state and local community improvements.

Mission Statement
To develop leadership skills that empower individuals to become influential citizens who successfully author and implement solutions to the needs of business and community.

Vision
"Standing on the shoulders of the past; listening to the voice of the present; paving the way to the future."

Philosophy
To identify, motivate and train future community leaders. To Acquaint these individuals with problems and needs of the community while investigating alatemative approaches and solutions.