Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Learning Center Location and Contact Info:

Global Leadership Academy

152 Pine Street,

Philadelphia, PA 19143

Phone: (215) 471-2978

Our History:

The U.S. Dream Academy first opened in south Philadelphia at the Tasker Street Baptist Church in 2002 with the support of Pastor James A. Lovett, II and the former Mayor of Philadelphia, Wilson Goode and founder of Amachi (pictured at left).  Through this partnership we opened in the church basement where young people would flock to everday afterschool for snacks, an opportunity to work on computers, tutoring and a mentor.

In 2005, Lavarr Zuber, became the Center Director and we quickly outgrew the space.  With the support of Tasker Street Baptist Church we moved into the G.W. Childs Elementary School where the majority of our students attended school.  Recognized as “Center of the Year” in 2008, the Philadelphia Learning Center became our model center demonstrating the power of the integration of skills, charcater and dreams with a strong staff, volunteer mentors and supportive school partnership. Lavarr later became our National Program Director and still provides leadership to our national program development.   During this time, Naaila Gray also became a part of the Philadelphia Learning Center team to build the mentor program and she created a strong network of partners that we still rely on to this day.  Naaila is now our National Mentor Director helping to grow our in person and virtual mentoring program.