About OYLA
The Omega Youth Leadership Academy is a comprehensive community based youth development program designed to effectively empower and educate males in 5th – 12th grades on how to face, navigate through, and overcome today’s social and personal challenges.
It offers a year-long curriculum that includes monthly seminars and workshops, in addition to providing culturally competent educational enrichment and personal growth activities including: service learning projects, local and national college tours and civic engagement programs.
OYLA Visionaries
Larry C. Ross Jr.
OYLA Visionary, Founder, & Leader
Larry C. Ross, M.Ed., a fifth generation educator, was born in Chicago, IL. He was raised in Central California (Hanford) and after graduating from high school relocated to Arizona in 1985 upon receiving an athletic scholarship.
Mr. Ross’ community interests are broad and varied. As a public-school educator for the many years, he served in the capacity as a middle and high school reading/journalism teacher and administrator for both public and charter school districts throughout the greater Phoenix metropolitan area.
He is the co-founder of Omega Youth Leadership Academy. A year-round mentoring program that provides bi-monthly workshops and annual national educational and cultural tours designed to empower middle and high school males of color with skill sets necessary to address potential social and community challenges that may impede their academic, professional and interpersonal success.
Bro. Ross is deceased, but OYLA lives on in his honor.....
Dr. William Smith, Jr.
Dr. William Smith Jr. is a native of Kalamazoo, Michigan, but has lived in the Phoenix, AZ, since 1981. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from Western Michigan University. He later received his Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Education Administration and Supervision from Arizona State University.
Dr. Smith has been a teacher, a principal, a Director of Special Education, and currently serves as a Director of School Safety and Security in the Alhambra School District. He has written several articles concerning the area of African American males in special education, one the latest being: “The Overrepresentation of Minority Students in Special Education.”
Dr. Smith has given numerous presentations in the area of Special education, mentorship, Minority males and education, and school suspensions. Recently he presented at the Forum for Innovative Leadership, in Memphis Tennessee, on the topic, “Unlocking the Gifts in Minority Males.” He has served with OYLA since its inception working closely with Brother Larry Ross and the OYLA team. He currently chairs parent workshops and provides information on a variety of areas as it pertains to adolescent males of color.
On a personal note, Dr. Smith has been married forty-one years to Petra (Chinn) Smith; they have two adult daughters, Amber and Atia, and one grandson John.
Dr. Carl. A. Blunt
Professionally, Dr. Carl A. Blunt enjoyed a career in Banking and Finance spanning over 35 years, retiring as a Senior Vice President of Bank of America with responsibilities that included all builder and consumer mortgage lending in the Southwest region of the United States.
After retiring, Carl established two entities, Consolidated Resource Partners, a "for profit" entity which provided multiple clients with home buyer seminars, sales training, management, and recruitment techniques, along with Arizona Veterans Supportive Services, a "non-profit" organization providing housing, meals, entrepreneurial and job training for homeless veterans in the Metro Phoenix area. Dr. Blunt also successfully raised community awareness of available scholarships for those aspiring to pursue Bachelors, Masters, and Doctoral degrees for the Concordia University Consortium. He is also the past Chairman of the Board of the Omega Youth Leadership Academy headquartered in Phoenix.
Carl is a published author and lecturer and has just launched his You Tube channel titled "Blunt & Upfront, The Color of History. Born and raised in San Francisco CA, Dr. Blunt earned his bachelor’s degree from San Jose State, a Master’s degree from San Francisco State and his Doctorate from Northern Arizona University. Carl currently resides in Arizona.
OYLA Culture
