PORTER-BILLUPS LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

Kendra Scott is a loyal supporter of the PBLA and is continuing to find ways to support our important work. Shop for Good online April 21 and 22 with 20% of your purchases benefiting Porter-Billups Leadership Academy.

Shop in-store at Kendra Scott Cherry Creek and join us for an exclusive after-hours party for PBLA

Thursday, April 21 | 5:00 - 7:00 PM

Kendra Scott in Cherry Creek - 175 North Fillmore St., Denver

Light snacks and drinks will be provided. 

Hello PBLA Family, Donors and Supporters:

We are following the recommendation of the state and recommendations from the office of the Regis university president. We will have a decision soon on the status of the upcoming 2020 PBLA summer session for students. 

What's this item about? What makes it interesting? Write a catchy description to grab your audience's attention... At the Porter-Billups Leadership Academy Gala on Saturday, Phillip Lindsay served as the keynote speaker alongside another Denver native-turned-sports star, Chauncey Billups. Billups and Regis University Men's Head Basketball Coach Lonnie Porter serve as two of the Academy's leaders.

In a packed hall at the Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library, the portrait of Chauncey Billups, also known as “Mr. Big Shot", was unveiled Tuesday, December 4, 2018. Billups’ portrait hangs alongside those of other prominent African American leaders in Denver, including Webb. It’s an honor, Billups said, he never imagined he’d achieve.

This year more than 200 students attended the camp, including children from Kansas, Texas and New Mexico.

Longtime Regis University men’s basketball coach Lonnie Porter founded the Academy in 1996. Five-time NBA All-Star Chauncey Billups joined Porter and the Academy in 2006.

The goal is to help create leaders for the next generation.

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“I just want to let the younger kids that are sitting here know that your voice is powerful,” said graduate Alfonso LoBato. “With your voice you can lead your class, you can lead your family and you can lead your community. With your voice you can do remarkable things.”

Megan Coffey Parker didn’t know what to expect when she set foot on the Regis University campus back in 1997 to attend the Porter-Billups Leadership Academy, but she knew she was ready for anything—including a first-day class on ancient Egypt. “The classes were fun,” Parker recalls. “I learned so much.” The best part, though, was that “Coach (Lonnie Porter) was there from day one and instilled in me that I could be a leader and change the world. He sparked an excitement for learning.” He was also there when times were tough. “I was a swimmer in high school, but I have asthma, and there was a point when I was ready to throw in the towel. Coach sent me a hand-written note of encouragement that I carry with me to this day. And when my mom passed from cancer, Coach was the first to reach out.” Parker went on to graduate from Legacy High School and become the first in her family to attend college, receiving three degrees from Regis, including a master’s degree in education. Today she teaches fifth grade.

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By Joanne Davidson, Denver Life Magazine

June 1, 2018

It is with heavy hearts that we must inform you that we are cancelling our Summer PBLA Program for 2020 at Regis University due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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In addition, due to the unforeseeable trajectory of the health crisis, the July 2020 PBLA Annual Golf Tournament has also been cancelled.

Hello PBLA Family, Donors and Supporters:

First, we ALL hope this message finds you and your families well.

We have received a number of inquiries regarding the plans for the 2020 PBLA Summer Academy . Please know that we have not yet made a decision as to whether we will or will not hold the 2020 Summer PBLA Session.

As you are aware,  many unknown factors regarding the Coronavirus Pandemic and its impact are beyond our control. This reality will significantly impact our decision.

Our first priority is to make a decision that supports the safety and well-being of you and our children during this unprecedented nation-wide health and medical challenge.

We have committed to notifying you of our 2020 plan NO LATER than Wednesday, April 15th, 2020.

This decision will be compatible  with guidance from Federal, State, City directives and under the guidance of Regis University  as well.

Thank you in advance for your support and patience as we ALL work through this challenging time.

Be safe and stay healthy.

Sincerely,

Staci-Porter Bentley

Co-Founder/Director

Porter-Billups Leadership Academy

Save the date for the 2019 Porter-Billups Leadership Academy Gala taking place on January 26 at the Ritz Carleton. Our mission is to create leaders in service of others. We want to empower our future leaders to become alumni who positively impact and change their local and global communities.

You do not want to miss this exciting event featuring keynote speaker, Julius Winfield Erving II, known by his nickname Dr. J, a retired American professional basketball player and Basketball Hall of Famer. In addition, three of our top alumni from across the country will join the conversation to empower our future leaders. This annual fundraiser event highlights the best of what the Academy offers and features a live and silent auction.

Malachi Haynes is Boys & Girls Club local, city and state Youth of the Year in Colorado. He is heading to Texas June 10 to compete in a regional Youth of the Year contest.

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By Luke Graham

June 7, 2018

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More at http://www.coloradoboysandgirlsclubs.org/youth-of-the-year

Many touching words were spoken at the Porter-Billups Leadership Academy Gala, but the ones that resonated most came from founder Lonnie Porter himself.

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After emphasizing his belief that if given the opportunity, every kid will shine, Porter took a deep breath and added: “If I had just one wish to be granted it is that He would give me 74 more years to do just this.”

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By Joanne Davidson, The Denver Post, March 9, 2018