Lead The Way has officially recognized and congratulated the students of Horizon Science Academy for a remarkable achievement that reflects both academic excellence and unwavering dedication. The organization praised the youth for their perseverance, highlighting their success as a powerful example of what determination and hard work can accomplish. In a statement shared on social media earlier this week, Lead The Way commended the students for reaching an important milestone

A powerful celebration of leadership, service, and legacy is set to take center stage at the 2026 JEWEL Awards, where Jackie Kemp will be honored for decades of impactful work in youth development and community empowerment. The event highlights distinguished changemakers whose contributions uplift communities and inspire future generations. This year’s recognition of Jackie Kemp underscores a remarkable career dedicated to building pathways for success across Ohio and beyond.

A new opportunity for youth seeking to jumpstart their career journeys is now open, but availability is limited and applicants must act quickly. The Ready 2 Earn (R2E) program has announced that only a small number of positions remain for its youth career pathways initiative, which is open to individuals ages 16 and older. Program coordinators have emphasized that all required documentation must be fully completed and submitted by 6:00 PM on June 9, 2026, in order to be consi

West High School seniors marked their graduation season with a meaningful full-circle tradition, returning to the schools that first helped shape their educational journeys. During the annual Scholar Walk, younger students lined the hallways, cheering and celebrating the soon-to-be graduates as they made their way through the buildings where their academic paths began. The event served as both a celebration and a source of inspiration, offering younger students a glimpse of w

New Albany, OH — May 25, 2026 — New Albany High School marked a major milestone as more than 500 seniors crossed the stage at Huntington Park during a memorable commencement ceremony celebrating the Class of 2026. Surrounded by family, friends, and faculty, graduates were recognized for their dedication, resilience, and achievements throughout their high school journey. The ceremony highlighted not only academic success but also the character and perseverance that defined thi

Earlier this month, Lead The Way hosted three summer work orientations on May 6, 13, and 14, successfully placing more than 200 youth into high-quality summer work experiences. Through the Ready 2 Earn and WEX programs, students secured positions in career pathways such as IT, STNA, Phlebotomy, Cosmetology, Engineering, Manufacturing, Logistics, Real Estate, Accounting, and more. Over the summer, participants will gain valuable hands-on work experience while also working towa

At Lead The Way, we are proud to celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of our students who continue to demonstrate excellence, leadership, and commitment to their futures. One of those remarkable students, Comfort Shado, has been named valedictorian of the graduating class—a testament to hard work, determination, and academic excellence. During a recent ceremony, Comfort delivered a powerful and memorable speech to peers, reflecting on the journey, growth, and potential o

At Lead the Way, we remain deeply committed to creating transformative experiences that expose students to opportunity, purpose, and possibility. Through a strategic partnership with The Student Stakeholder LLC , our students recently participated in a dynamic, multi-day Atlanta experience designed to blend career exposure, college readiness, and real-world engagement . This intentional experience went beyond travel—it was carefully structured to help students explore postsec

Lead The Way recently welcomed families for Coffee & Conversations, a meaningful family engagement event designed to strengthen communication, build trust, and reinforce partnership in support of student success. Held on March 28, 2026, the gathering created a warm and welcoming space for families to connect directly with Lead the Way staff. With our families in attendance, the event provided an opportunity for open dialogue about how the organization supports students and th

Lead The Way proudly celebrates a major milestone for youth participants from New Albany , who successfully graduated from the Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) of Central Ohio Pre‑Apprenticeship Program . For the past several years, IEC Central Ohio has partnered with Lead the Way to provide meaningful, hands‑on workforce development opportunities for youth across Franklin County. This ongoing collaboration reflects a shared commitment to preparing young people for h

On March 26, 2026 , Lead the Way hosted West High School Intake Day , a high‑energy event that highlighted student leadership, community pride, and access to opportunity. Held on campus, the event created an inviting space for students to learn more about Lead the Way while actively engaging with peers and staff. From the moment the intake began, West High School students showed up with enthusiasm and initiative . Students not only signed up for the Lead the Way program but

At Lead the Way, showing up is more than being present—it’s about consistency, care, and meeting students where they are. Every day, our coaches demonstrate what meaningful support looks like by walking alongside students through both practical needs and pivotal life decisions. Recently, this commitment has taken many forms. From providing students at with laptop bags filled with essential supplies to ensure they are equipped for learning, to welcoming students from West Hig

Lead the Way is proud to announce that we have been awarded $75,000 in summer youth funding as part of the City of Columbus ’s investment in community‑based programs serving young people across the city. The announcement was made this Monday at the Westgate Community Center , led by Mayor Ginther , where Lead the Way joined fellow community organizations, city leaders, and partners for the official funding reveal. In total, the City of Columbus committed $7.5 million to 105

This week, Lead the Way (LTW) was honored to be featured in a community‑focused conversation, led by LTW partner, Think Make Live Youth , centered on opportunity, growth, and youth empowerment. In the interview, Frederick Lee, LTW Director of Partnerships & Development, shared thoughtful insight on how organizations across Columbus can work together to expand access and create meaningful pathways for young people. During the conversation, Frederick highlighted the wide range

Lead the Way was proud to join A Jazzy Experience , the inspiring fundraising gala hosted by WrightChoice Mentoring to celebrate the power of mentorship, connection, and community impact. The soulful evening of live jazz, elegant celebration, and purpose-driven storytelling highlighted how mentorship transforms lives and creates opportunities for students. A Jazzy Experience brought together supporters—featuring live performances and recognition of outstanding mentors and m

The Culture Connections event, held on February 19th, 2026, at the Whitehall Community Park YMCA , brought together students, service professionals, and community partners for a powerful day of learning, networking, and inspiration. The event highlighted meaningful conversations about service-based careers while centering representation, leadership, and community impact. Keynote Speaker & Student Leadership The program opened with an inspiring keynote address from LaShanna Po

On Friday, February 20, 2026, Lead the Way staff participated in the BMI Federal Credit Union Financial Literacy Workshop, an in‑depth professional learning experience designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of budgeting and real‑life money management. Staff members immersed themselves in interactive workshops hosted at BMI Federal Credit Union’s headquarters. Throughout the workshop, LTW staff engaged in hands‑on activities covering essential financial topics su

Lead the Way Learning Academy was excited to participate in Thursday morning’s Career & Opportunity Fair, held at Independence High School , joining nearly 80 businesses, colleges, and community organizations in supporting student success. The event provided a powerful platform for Lead the Way to share the pathways, programs, and opportunities we offer—while connecting directly with students exploring their future career options. Throughout the fair, we engaged with more t

Lead The Way Learning Academy (LTW) was proud to support and participate in the South Ohio Science & Engineering Fair (CONSEF) at COSI 2026 , held on February 10, 2026 , at COSI (333 West Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio) This incredible event showcased 200+ student projects and highlighted the brilliance, creativity, and innovation of students across Central Ohio LTW was especially excited to cheer on students from our valued partner school, Horizon Science Academy , as

We’re proud to highlight our Director of Partnerships & Development, Frederick Lee , alongside our incredible community partners, Anthony King and Stephanie Mathew, who are all featured in Columbus Black’s Small Business Showcase Series ! Their commitment to empowering youth, uplifting local entrepreneurs, and strengthening pathways to opportunity is shaping real change in our community. 🙌🏾✨ 🎥 Check out their feature to see how collaboration, innovation, and student-cente