About Us - Legacy Driven Foundation, Inc.

About our organization

Experienced, Passionate and Highly Motivated to Serve.

OUR MODEL

Our MISSION is improving the quality of life of young people through consistent Positive Youth Development in a safe and supportive environment, encouraging youth to become active, productive members of their families, schools and community-at-large.

Our VISION is to coach, expose, motivate & encourage all youth to realize their personal worth, realize & maximize their gifts & talents and more.

We work collaboratively with school counselors & teachers to identify students in need and to provide mentoring, life skills, job training, cultural exposure and general support. The mentees who have participated in our program have not only improved in the area of academic performance but also have an increased level of social skills, enhanced performance in athletic activities, and an increased sense of optimism for their future endeavors.

Student, Curriculum & Prospectus Materials (click to view):

Mentoring Groups:

Driven Young Men (DYM – pronounced “DIM”) – Male mentors focus on our general elements in addition to issues that face our minority boys that we offer growth opportunities for them to be awesome and impactful men in their lifetime.
Ladies of Legacy Driven (LOL) – To train, educate, encourage and empower our young girls to grow into adult women who will be impactful and legacy driven in their respective communities and reciprocate their morals and values to others.

Our Mentorship Model:

In-person Mentoring (individual & group) sessions in schools during lunchtime with students; Candidates are submitted by teachers, grade level assistant principals and/or by request of a parent; Student assessments are conducted mid-year or as needed, when a concern arises or requested by a teacher or parent. (up to 30 mins)
After-School sessions are held for boys and girls are held monthly in a classroom or gym of our students school. Youth from the program are exposed to health routines by a fitness trainer, guest speakers, and a sit-down meal together to discuss various topics. (1.5-2 hours)
Virtual Mentoring occurs monthly for all program students no matter the grade level. We desire to follow the child through Middle & High School as it’s a lifelong relationship, not for a season (30-45 mins).
Weekend Sessions – Special sessions held in community centers or library room settings will feature guest speakers and also a time for our students to share and discuss life with mentors for guidance and different POVs.
Mentorship Consultant –We welcome relationships and partnerships with schools and other organizations with a strong interest in building a Mentorship program. (time varies per school project)
Substitute Teaching – Our CEO visits various schools to meet principals and staff, have opportunities to meet youth and mentor in classroom settings in addition to chatting with school staff about the success and challenges. To serve the students, we must gain knowledge in the environment they’re in the most!

Mentoring Schedule – See our Events page for information.

Sample of Discussion Topics/Activities (subject to change):

Faith
Team Building
Behavioral Management
Conflict Resolution
SEL (social and emotional learning, managing your emotions)
Health, Fitness and Nutrition – How to live your best life from the inside out. I
Conflict Resolution
Confidence in Self (see Bowen Theory below titled “Self Differentiation” using the link below)

Bowen Family Systems Theories

In 2006 our Founder was exposed to Bowen Family Systems Theory Systems (from Dr. Murray Bowen, Georgetown University) through a personal journey that proved to be life changing. Bowen theories such as “Self Differentiation”, “Family Projection Process”, “Societal Projection Process” and “Triangles” are used while mentoring our youth in certain situations.

Learn more about the Bowen Family Systems by clicking HERE.

Click to register your child(ren) today!

The Benefits of Mentoring

Examples of Outcomes for our Youth:

Increased high school graduation rates & lower high school dropout rates
The US Department of Education reports that while 83% of high school students graduate, dropping out is still a big concern for minority students and those in underserved communities.
Healthier relationships and lifestyle choices
Higher college enrollment rates and higher educational aspirations
Enhanced faith, self-esteem and self-confidence
Improved behavior, both at home and at school
Stronger relationships with parents, teachers, and peers
Decreased likelihood of initiating drug and alcohol use

How quality mentoring relationships benefit youth?

Socio-Emotional, Cognitive, and Identity Development Benefits: During interactions with youth, mentors can challenge negative assumptions that young people hold of themselves and help them better regulate emotions, problem-solve, develop coping skills and envision a more positive present & future.
Resilience: Mentors can function as protective influences for youth, helping them to identify and use their strengths to overcome challenges.
Positive Youth Development: Mentoring provides a milieu for young people to acquire and practice assets associated with positive youth development, including caring, competence, confidence, connection, character, faith, contribution.
Prevention of Behaviors Linked to Delinquency: In research on outcomes, youth matched with mentors were less likely to initiate drug and alcohol use, less likely to hit someone, had better peer and parent relationships, and were less likely to skip school than a control group of youth still on a waiting list to receive mentoring services.
Envisioning Future Achievement in Education: In school-based mentoring programs, youth were more likely to envision a future attending college than the control group of youth on the mentoring program’s waiting list.

Our Founder

F. LaMonte Leath:

I was born and raised in, Burlington, North Carolina. I graduated from North Carolina Central University (HBCU – www.nccu.edu) located in Durham, NC earning a major in Business Administration and a minor in Computer Information Systems. I moved to the Atlanta, GA area in 1999. I have two children, my oldest daughter Jazmine matriculated through the Shiloh cluster and my daughter, Paige, currently attends Shiloh Middle School. I also have a granddaughter in Elementary School, Lana Marie. My family motivates me and I love being a father and grandfather.

Experience includes:

Youth Engagement – Began teaching teaching youth in my local church in 2002, and becoming the Youth Director overseeing the Youth Department in 2015. Managed a team of 12-15 teachers and volunteers while serving three different age groups: 4 to 9, 10 to 12 and 13 to 18.
Entrepreneurial Spirit – Began business ownership in 2009 and never looked back.
Gwinnett County Public School (GCPS) Approved Mentor – 2018
Gwinnett County Public School (GCPS) Vendor – 2023

Read a special reference letter from Mrs. Jennifer Clowers, principal of Partee ES (HQ) in Snellville, GA by clicking HERE.

For more personal and professional information about the founder, please click the resume link below.
F. LaMonte Leath – CEO/Founder (Resume)
e: lleath@legacydriven.org
o: 404-941-0209

A wealth of experience and wisdom

Some of our Mentors & Board Members

Board Member Information

Dr. Kelli McCain – Cluster Superintendent (GCPS – Brookwood & South Gwinnett Clusters, Ed. Advisor) – BIO
Cindy Brown Healthcare Education Advisor – BIO Coming Soon
Tomeika Bowden (Higher Education Advisor) – currently serves as President of N.C. Central University National Alumni Association (NCCUAA, 2020-2024) – www.nccualumni.org
Crystal Reynolds – Educator, Instructional Coach – BIO
Jimmie Simmons – Human/Social Services Director (Grady Hospital – Mental Health), Entrepreneur – BIO
Wayne Singleton (Industrial Engineer, Veteran) – BIO
Michael Galloway (Criminal Justice, Police and Public Administration Advisor – BIO Coming Soon.
Keenon Thomas – Entrepreneur, Adidas Retail Leader – BIO
Juan Harris – Network Engineer – BIO