About OYLA

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.