My brother’s keeper: Transcendent leadership lessons found in an inner-city program for fatherless, adolescent boys

Providing leadership education for young men growing up without their father, through a structured curriculum and mentoring program, should enhance their development. To examine this, authors interviewed adult alumni who participated as adolescents in a cohort-based, six-month leadership program. Interviews outlined several key themes: once served by others the young men desired to serve their community, choosing the appropriate leadership educator matters, program mentors inspired positive life changes, and the learned leadership lessons transcended the setting and curriculum. This qualitative project examined the efficacy of a youth leadership development program by interviewing past participants. This research outlined how service to others can inspire more service and that leadership education has the potential to alter lives, and in this case, even save lives.