Y o u  A r e  I n v i t e d!

Dear Student,

Welcome!

I'm Denise, and I serve as chief executive of Rising Urban Leaders Enterprise (RULE).

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For your information, in December 2018, when my son was a sophomore in high school, I imagined ways of leading high schoolers to a platform that was supported by all the resources needed for teens to take charge of their future and fulfill their passions and dreams.

Let me begin by being honest.  During my high school years, I failed a third of my exams.  Plus, I struggled to complete complex homework assignments.  What I needed was help to grow academically, but no one in my inner circle of family and friends seemed able to explain basic study skills or learning techniques such as understanding, decoding, and memorizing.

This was indeed a dark time in my history.  By the end of my senior year, I had accumulated such poor grades and a low GPA that I suppressed my desire to go on to college.

Nevertheless, I courageously applied to Howard University and was accepted to study Journalism in the School of Communications.  What a celebration that acceptance was for me, and my family!  But when I arrived on campus, I was unprepared for the intensity of studying on a university level and my academic performance went from bad to worse.  So, I decided to withdraw from college.

Many years later, I returned to Howard.  This time, I dedicated my time and energy to an academic coach who prepared a customized plan of action for my growth.

Then, SUCCESS!  My study habits improved!  And getting A's became achievable!

As I reflect on my adversity in school, I feel grateful for the process I entrusted to lead me to a better path in life.

For this reason, I have designed this leadership program to encourage you to establish and implement an intentional strategy for achieving your goals so that you can be excellent at whatever you do, and stand out from the rest.  I am confident that your participation in this program will empower you to believe YOU CAN achieve your measurable goals as you journey through school and career.

RULE is a not-for-profit organization in New Jersey.  What this means is that helping you reach your goals is our mission.  We hope to help you get ahead through leadership training, mentorship guidance, and volunteer projects.

Do you want to become good at sharing in a group?

Every member of RULE belongs to a small group that serves as a support team.  When you're facing options, it makes sense to have someone in your corner to remind you of your vision.  Therefore, being in a support group is rewarding to your individual success in this program.  This group is a partnership between you and other students to help everyone keep on track with their plans.

What you do with your time away from the group will make a difference.  For this reason, we suggest that you volunteer an hour or more for community development projects.  Volunteering will help you improve your organizational skills and fulfill time-specific services to aid others who are in need.  This is also a way of giving back!

As you master setting goals and achieving results, RULE’s executive team will coordinate social events in which influential leaders and guest speakers will show up to recognize you as you showcase your skills and gain respect.

Moreover, we hope incentives, such as recognition, leadership roles, and opportunities to win gift cards, will inspire you to complete the core sessions: Orientation, Leadership Style, Support Team, Community Service, and Leadership Forum.

Now, this is my idea of a student leadership organization.  But it is your participation and success that will cause you to grow.

So, on your mark…

You are one step away from joining your support team.  Complete the online application and send it to us promptly.  I really believe it's your time to shine!

To your success,

Denise