22,000 individuals served
at the BLEC per year
100+
families served per month
About Us
Building Pathways to a Brighter Future for All
At the heart of our mission, we strive to improve the quality of life for community members of all ages and backgrounds. We provide a safe, inviting environment where youth, adults, and seniors can engage in physical and cultural activities that promote health and wellness. We are dedicated to preserving the historical significance of our Center, establishing it as a beacon of civic pride and a hub for community support.
healthy meals served to children and senior citizens per year
in farmers' market vouchers distributed to eligible senior citizens per year
+ youth and teens participate in community activities per year
+ senior citizens completed AARP Technology classes per year
Our Team
Meet Our Dedicated Staff
The Brookland-Lakeview Empowerment Center is led by a group of dedicated and like-minded leaders.
Dr. Cindye Richburg-Cotton
Executive Director
Rev. Mardell Whyte
Executive Assistant
BLEC offers a comprehensive mix of programs designed to meet the needs of our community. These include STEM/STEAM after-school programming for youth, recreational sports leagues, educational tutoring, senior wellness programs, and entrepreneurial training among others. Our programs are tailored to foster change and address various social challenges.
Each year, BLEC serves over 15,000 individuals from various backgrounds, focusing on residents of the local community, especially those who are low-to-moderate income earners. Our programs are designed to be accessible to everyone, addressing specific needs of both adults and youth.
BLEC relies on outside funding to operate and expand its programs. This includes grants, donations, and major gifts from various donors who support our mission of community empowerment and improvement.
Since our inception, BLEC has made significant strides in addressing key social issues such as underemployment, unemployment, food insecurity, and lack of educational opportunities. Our programs are specifically designed to aggressively and consciously tackle these challenges, bringing about positive change in our community.
Support for BLEC can come in many forms, including volunteering, making a donation, or participating in our programs. Every bit of help counts towards sustaining our mission and expanding our outreach. For more details, please contact our office.
Our youth services include STEM/STEAM programs, tutoring, sports leagues such as Pop Warner Football and AAU Basketball, and enrichment activities that focus on cultural exposure, physical fitness, and personal development.
For seniors, BLEC offers nutrition and cooking classes, aerobics, mental health promotion, and transportation services to help them remain active, engaged, and independent.
BLEC is situated in an economic development zone that offers special incentives for growth, making it strategically placed to serve the community effectively, especially targeting low-to-moderate income residents.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, BLEC has integrated health and wellness programs that include providing up-to-date health information, supporting mental health, and ensuring access to necessary services.