Programs • Roots Summer Leadership Academy
Roots Summer Leadership Academy
Strengthens Community. It's why we do what we do.
2025 Roots Summer Leadership Academy
Date: July 7 – July 25
Roots Summer Leadership Academy (RSLA) is a fun and rigorous 3-week enrichment summer camp for youth ages 8 – 16 in the Albuquerque area.
RSLA uses a cultural lens along with an arts-based community development framework to promote self-esteem and leadership within our youth, while also teaching 21st century skills needed to effectively navigate and compete in a global society.
What we do
According to Roots Conservatory Manager Mike Jackson, RSLA is not just about the curriculum. It’s about community, creativity, and student agency.
Every year, RSLA culminates in a celebratory performance called Harambee, where students showcase the work they’ve created with their instructors. “The dance routine, the students have input on that, and the actual script, the students have input on that,” says Jackson. “All the music used in the program is meant to tell the story of their three-week journey.” RSLA is now celebrating its 13th year of empowering youth to lead, learn, and succeed.
2023 Roots Summer Leadership Academy
2023’s Academy was a great success! Thank you to NMBLC staff, parents and caregivers, students, and our sponsors for all the work you put in this year.
Tayari means, “I am prepared. I am ready.” in Swahili. Our students were prepared and ready to engage, learn, and collaborate with one another.
See Our RSLA 2021 Recap
Our 2021 Roots Summer Leadership Academy students and families! Check out the highlights from RSLA 2021 in the video – the smiles on the children’s faces say it all.
Roots Summer Leadership Academy Showcase
At this exhibition, guests viewed our students’ art, STEM, and Social & Emotional Learning projects and had the chance to meet the talented young people behind each work of art.
Coming soon
For Isaiah Reading Empowerment
Please check back for coming soon events and activities to support this initiative.
Roots Explorer Program
Please check back soon for our Roots Explorer program for more information.