Predict the future by creating it!
Our organization strives to build a society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and contribute meaningfully regardless of their background by identifying and developing the potential of disadvantaged youth, empowering them to become the leaders of tomorrow.
Core Values:
1. Empowerment – We believe in unlocking potential and providing opportunities for disadvantaged youth to become future leaders.
2. Equity & Justice – We strive to create a fair and inclusive society where everyone has an equal chance to succeed.
3. Compassion – We approach our mission with empathy, understanding, and a commitment to uplifting others.
4. Integrity – We uphold the highest ethical standards in our work, fostering trust and accountability.
5. Innovation – We embrace creative and forward-thinking solutions to address challenges and create lasting impact.
Our Belief:
We firmly believe that every individual is entitled to an equal opportunity to flourish and fully realize their innate potential, irrespective of their background or circumstances.
It is the moral and ethical duty of society, especially those who are privileged, to actively uplift and support the underprivileged.
We hold that education is the most powerful and dependable means of breaking the cycle of generational poverty. With the right support and resources, every student can rise to excel, thrive, and achieve academic success.
We are deeply concerned about the persistent issue of income inequality in America, which undermines the very fabric of our society and threatens the core values of freedom and democracy upon which our nation was founded.
Our Journey:
The Next Century Leadership Foundation (NCLF) was founded in 2016 in the Trinidad neighborhood of northeast Washington, D.C., to address violence, drug activity, and poverty through community outreach. Bordered by Ivy City, Carver-Langston, and Gallaudet University, Trinidad faced significant challenges—but we were committed to uplifting the neighborhood through education, mentorship, and essential services.
We offered GED classes, career counseling, after-school programs, and martial arts to equip youth with skills and constructive outlets. Community events, clean-up efforts, mobile showers, and meal services were also key parts of our grassroots approach—often delivered in unconventional spaces like buses and tents.
Our summer programs provided local children with enriching field trips and meals, helping them explore beyond their immediate surroundings.
Despite our efforts, the neighborhood’s transformation was driven more by commercial development and city beautification than by grassroots work, leading to gentrification and the displacement of longtime residents.
Recognizing this, we paused operations to reflect and regroup. During this hiatus, our team volunteered with other organizations locally and globally, gaining insight and experience that reshaped our mission.
In 2024, we reemerged as WTDC—sharper in focus and more committed than ever to developing the talents of underprivileged youth. With a decade of experience, we now serve communities across D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, working strategically to ensure lasting, meaningful impact in the face of growing economic inequality.
Address:
11605 Johns Hopkins Road
Clarksville, Maryland 21029
Contacts:
tel: 240.491.2566
email: info@mywtdc.org