MACOMB – 'I believe the children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way.' – lyrics by Whitney Houston, 'Greatest Love of All.'
LeRon Williams, who is the associate director of the Multicultural Center at Western Illinois University, has parlayed his work with students and love of learning and empowerment, into a new program/business he has developed for young athletes, Fly.te Academy, which is debuting in Macomb this summer. Fly.te Academy is a regionally-developed youth empowerment program that Williams has been working on since 2012 to serve communities through a holistic model that integrates academic offerings, athletic training, and leadership development.
The six-week program will be held from June 23-Aug. 8 throughout Macomb.
Parents can register students directly at soarwithflyte.com/ flyte-forms/fly-teacademyonboardingform or by emailing fly.teathletics@gmail. com. Coaches, teachers and mentors can also refer students to the pilot program.
'While we're not national at this point, our long-term vision includes scaling to cities like Atlanta, Omaha, Dallas and Chicago,' the Fly. te Academy founder and CEO explained. 'We chose Macomb as the launch site for this program because of its small, yet vibrant, youth population. Many students here lack access to yearround academic enrichment, professional athletic training and structured leadership development. Fly.te Academy fills this gap by offering a transformative summer experience for student-athletes aged 12–18.'
According to Williams, programs like Fly.te are vital in helping youth develop resilience, accountability and leadership skills. Research shows that student-athletes involved in structured programs are more likely to graduate college and succeed professionally due to the discipline, mentorship and support systems embedded in their development, he added.
'Our mission is to empower the next generation of leaders through three core areas: academic excellence (via Holston Academy), elite athletic development (through Fly.te Performance) and leadership training through the i.L.E.A.D. program, which I developed during graduate school at WIU in collaboration with Professor Emeritus Tracy Davis,' Williams stated. 'Our aim is to help students discover, enhance athletic skills and build personal confidence and leadership.'
Fly.te Academy is led by Williams, with support from Holston Academy Director of Partnerships Ed Zeto, who serves as the program's academic coordinator.
He's working to add more certified athletic coaches and leadership development coaches to the program.
Williams, who has more than a decade of experience spanning collegiate athletics, youth development and community leadership, is committed to empowering students, especially those from underserved communities, through education, mentorship and performance training. He also spent nearly a decade as a collegiate track and field coach, specializing in sprints, jumps and hurdles. Throughout his career, Williams worked with elite athletes, including Olympians Kenny Bednarek and Shakima Wimbley, as well as professional sports organizations such as Orlando City Soccer Club and the Omaha Kings indoor/outdoor soccer team.
'My passion for equity and opportunity was ignited as an undergraduate at the University of Nebraska, where my senior thesis focused on the effects of redlining on access to quality education in marginalized neighborhoods. That research laid the foundation for my lifelong dedication to breaking systemic barriers and opening doors for young people who have historically been left behind,' Williams concluded. 'In 2022, following the passing of my father due to a massive heart attack, I made the life-changing decision to formalize his vision by turning Fly.te into an LLC. My father – my first coach and greatest inspiration – instilled in me the importance of compassion and empathy for all people, not just those who could return the favor, but especially those who could not help themselves. That legacy continues to guide mu approach to leadership and service.'
Fly.te Athletics partners with the Holston Academy in California, and receives financial backing by The Lucky68 Foundation. For more information, contact Williams at [email protected]; visit Soarwithflyte. com and follow the program on social media at facebook.com/FLYTEAthletics and on Instagram at @fly. te_athletics/ @flyte_academy.
