Black-led programs for LA kids
55 programs across Los Angeles County that are Black-led or built specifically to serve Black young people — dance, martial arts, STEM, mentoring, tutoring, co-ops and cultural education. Every label here carries the evidence behind it.
Black-led charter vendors in LA County
Of the 184 programs in this directory, 2 are both Black-led and an approved homeschool charter vendor. Charter enrichment funds are the only channel in California that pays a small program directly — and almost no Black-led program in LA is on those lists. That's fixable, and here's how →
All Black-led programs in Los Angeles County
36 confirmed Black-led · 19 that explicitly centre Black young people.
Brotherhood Crusade - Youth Programs (BioFuture STEM; Mentor & Me; Jr. Executive Leadership; Brother to Brother)
South LA, Los Angeles · Mentoring · youth and young adults (ages not stated)
57-year-old grassroots org. Youth programs include BioFuture STEM, Mentor & Me, Brother to Brother, GYRD, Jr. Executive Leadership Program, Teaching Gardens, Boys and Men of Color, South LA Youth Council, Golf Mentoring, BLOOM, Soccer for Success, Books and Basketball Camp.
Free
Concerned Black Men of Los Angeles (CBMLA) - Welcome to Manhood / Welcome to Womanhood
Gardena · Mentoring · Manhood ages 11-19; Womanhood ages 11-15
Welcome to Manhood workshops ~2 hours once a month during the 9-month academic year. Also CBMLA CARES (middle school, school-based) and Emerging Leaders. Cost not stated; mailing address only.
Free
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority - Los Angeles Alumnae Chapter (Delta Academy; Delta GEMS; EMBODI)
Westchester, Los Angeles · Mentoring · girls 11-14 (Academy); girls 14-18 (GEMS); African American males (EMBODI)
Delta Academy (est. 1996) focuses on math, science, technology and leadership; EMBODI covers STEM, culture, self-efficacy, health. Program contacts: DeltaAcademy@ and EMBODI@DSTLAChapter.com. Youth program sessions e.g. Sat Oct 11, 2025 10am-12pm. Cost not stated on page (sorority youth programs typically no-fee).
Free
First AME Church of Los Angeles (FAME) - Children's Church & Youth Ministries
West Adams, Los Angeles · Faith-Based Programs · children and youth (all ages)
'Children's Church on the Plaza' at 9:00am Sunday; Sunday School 7:45am; 'ministries for every age, stage, and season of life.' Tutoring/STEM details not on homepage; famechurch.org redirects to famechurchla.org.
Free
Limbiko Tembo School of African American Culture
Crenshaw, Los Angeles · African-Centered Education · ages 3-13
Saturday school stressing African American history and culture, social responsibility, respect for human diversity, community service; life skills, art and performance art. 1degree listing: free, ages 3-13, eligibility Black/African American children. Official site returned 401 to automated fetch; confirm current schedule by phone.
Free
Pasadena Rosebud Academy
Pasadena · Independent Schools · TK-8
Public charter (not homeschool) included because Black-led. Facility destroyed in 2025 Eaton fire; 'Rosebud Rebuilds' GoFundMe; still enrolling per site (173 students). WASC accredited, founded 2007. Core principles: critical thinking, financial literacy, exposure, cultural awareness, service.
Free
The Creative House
Inglewood · Visual Arts · children and adults
'Accessible free art education, activities and events for children and adults'; open ~12-7pm per site snippet. Verify schedule on site.
Free
The Hidden Genius Project - Los Angeles (Intensive Immersion Program)
Inglewood · STEM & Coding · high school (Black male youth)
Oakland-HQ nonprofit with LA site in Inglewood; LA5 and LA6 cohorts referenced (2025). 15-month Intensive Immersion Program plus shorter Catalyst workshops. Mission: 'trains and mentors Black male youth in technology creation, entrepreneurship, and leadership skills.' Also newly opened a Long Beach site (per 2026 council post) - address not verified.
Free
Watts Labor Community Action Committee (WLCAC) - Youth & Enrichment Services
Watts, Los Angeles · Afterschool Programs · youth (ages not stated); YouthSource 16-21
Founded 1965. Homepage lists Youth, Family, Enrichment, Employment services ('free support'); specific youth program names/ages not detailed on homepage. Hosts South LA-Watts YouthSource Center (16-21 out-of-school youth).
Free
White Hall Arts Academy
Hyde Park, Los Angeles · Music · ages 4+ (free ensemble 9+; camp 9-17)
Private 30/60-min lessons (~$37 per 30 min per community post); Saturday Sessions ages 4+ $70 (9/12-10/31); FREE H.O.P.E. Ensemble ages 9+ Saturdays 2-3:30pm; FREE Music Creators Camp ages 9-17 (July); Soundworks 18-28. NBA Foundation and Lewis Prize grantee.
Under $50/mo
Black Women for Wellness - Sisters in Control Rites of Passage
South LA, Los Angeles · African-Centered Education · Black high school girls ages 14-19
8-12 week cohorts (spring/fall meet Tue/Thu/Sat) plus 6-week summer session for Black high school girls in South LA. Program coordinator email listed on page.
Free
Debbie Allen Dance Academy
Mid-City, Los Angeles · Dance & Ballet · ages 3-20
501(c)(3). Programs: Early Birds (3-7), Academy (8+), Red Birds (selected), Open Classes (9+), Sons of DADA boys scholarship (8-13), RISE Musical Theater (6-20). Pricing at debbieallendanceacademy.com/pricing. Housed at Rhimes Performing Arts Center.
Cost not listed
Teach to Reach LLC
West Adams, Los Angeles · Learning Center · ages 3+
Hands-on STEAM camps, labs, private/mobile labs and school partnerships; scholarship fund mentioned; open Mon-Wed 8-5:30 (camp hours vary). Homeschool-specific programming not confirmed.
Cost not listed
WeBreak Hip-Hop Dance Company
Long Beach · Dance & Ballet · TK-adult (WeeBreakers TK-K; Beginners 5-12)
Approved vendor list on site also includes Cabrillo Point, Mission Vista, EPIC, Pacific Coast Academy; charter parents must obtain a PO first. 14-week sessions; #1 Yelp hip hop kids class Long Beach. Serves Long Beach/LA County/OC.
Cost not listed
100 Black Men of Long Beach - GRITS Mentoring Program
Long Beach · Mentoring · young men ages 8-18
'Our Mentoring Program (GRITS) focuses on young men 8 to 18 years old ... held at California State University, Long Beach on every 3rd Saturday.' Contact details from Long Beach Gives profile.
Cost not listed
Artsy Kids Studio (Artsy Kidss)
West Adams, Los Angeles · Visual Arts · children and teens
Mission: art access for children in under-resourced communities. Free workshops plus paid studio/afterschool programs; address from Google listing. Pricing not posted.
Cost not listed
COLLAB Dance Studio and Creative Space
Carson · Dance & Ballet · unknown
750 sq ft second-floor studio hosting classes and events; kids class schedule not on site as of 2026-09-12; call to confirm youth offerings.
Cost not listed
Compton Junior Equestrians (Compton Cowboys youth program)
Compton · Sports & Athletics · ages 8-18
English Riding, Western Riding and Basic Equine programs; fall/winter/spring afterschool sessions and summer camps; sessions include homework support. Cost not posted.
Cost not listed
Gravity Dance Company
Long Beach · Dance & Ballet · preschool-teen
Dancers must take min. 4 classes/week incl. ballet (training-track studio). Tuition on site.; black_led basis is secondary (GBP self-label / social posts) - confirm with owner
Cost not listed
Lula Washington Dance Theatre (Dance School)
Crenshaw, Los Angeles · Dance & Ballet · ages 3+
Long-running Black-founded school and professional company (est. 1980). Site lists Fall classes/registration but tuition not published online; call for schedule. Ranked #1 on Yelp African Dance Class near Leimert Park.
Cost not listed
Snoop Youth Football League (SYFL)
Baldwin Hills, Los Angeles · Sports & Athletics · youth 5-14 (chapter-based)
Multiple chapters across LA/IE; contact chapter president. Also see Snoop & Housh Flag Football League (K-8, snoopandhoushflagfootball.org).
Cost not listed
SoLA Robotics (South LA Robotics)
Gardena · STEM & Coding · ages 9+
Founded 2019; 'empowering underserved youth in South Los Angeles by providing access to hands-on robotics education.' Facebook lists 'Community Technology Clubs, Ages 9+' in partnership with City of Gardena Recreation. Site footer shows a placeholder address; Gardena mailing address from Idealist/ActivityHero. 2026 class enrollment 'opening soon.'
Cost not listed
The Knowledge Shop LA
Hyde Park, Los Angeles · Math · not stated
Runs 'Black Kids Love Math' annual summit (2026 edition 'Year of the Parents' Voices', from $200 registration), Family Math initiatives, Black Family University, student research (Stanford-funded). Founder not named on site. Direct tutoring offerings not confirmed on homepage.
Cost not listed
The Regal Academy
South LA, Los Angeles · Microschool · ages 18 months-6 years
New (2026) Montessori micro-school; founders have 15+ years combined Montessori experience (AMI/AMS/NAMC). Instagram search snippet also shows 4045 190th St Torrance; confirm whether second site or relocation. Tuition not posted; open-house RSVP.; black_led basis is secondary (GBP self-label / social posts) - confirm with owner
Cost not listed
Tutor's Treehouse
Torrance · Tutoring · not stated
Tutoring in math/science/English/social studies, afterschool program, weekend day camp 9am-6pm. 7+ years in business per Google.
Cost not listed
The Robey Theatre Company (training workshops / youth outreach)
Downtown LA, Los Angeles · Theater & Film · high school and young adult
Primarily adult/young-adult 'affordable 10-week' training (Advanced Scene Study, Playwright's Lab); youth pieces: Exploring The Arts for high school students and year-round/summer theatre-career internships (CA Arts Council grantee page). Wikipedia notes drama workshops for at-risk middle/high schoolers.
Under $50/mo
A New Wave Aquatics (mobile swim lessons)
Los Angeles · Swimming · all ages
Phone from Yelp listing snippet. Pricing not published.
Cost not listed
B.&B. Martial Arts and Fitness Programs (Harrison Hapkido)
South LA, Los Angeles · Martial Arts · all ages
Google lists 40+ years in business. Schedule/pricing not posted.
Cost not listed
CORE 4 Learning
Inglewood · Tutoring · not stated
Mission: 'equitable education and holistic development opportunities to black and brown children.' Tutoring + homeschooling instruction + consultation; in-person Inglewood; Mon-Thu 8-6; free consult call; discounts mentioned.
Cost not listed
Dancer 4 Life Dance Studio
Inglewood · Dance & Ballet · ages 2-adult
Mon-Thu 5-8pm; Sat 10am-3pm. New season began Sept 7. Pricing not posted.
Cost not listed
Jack and Jill of America - South Los Angeles Chapter
South LA, Los Angeles · African-Centered Education · children ages 2-19 of member mothers
Membership by invitation; chapter active 65+ years. Programs: leadership development, cultural exposure, community service, legislative advocacy, philanthropy. Membership dues apply (amount not listed).
Cost not listed
100 Black Men of Los Angeles - Young Black Scholars & See Your Future Mentoring
View Park-Windsor Hills, Los Angeles · Mentoring · grades 9-12
Since 1986; 21,000+ students served; ~1,000 students from 170+ high schools; '30+ workshops, programs, seminars, and conferences' per school year; annual Academic Kickoff and College Fair at West LA College each September. 1degree listing gives phone 310-497-2176.
Cost not listed
KAOS Network
Leimert Park, Los Angeles · Visual Arts · teens and adults (intergenerational)
Historic media-arts lab (home of Project Blowed, SankofaCity). Current youth workshop schedule not posted online; contact via site.
Cost not listed
Mission2Math
Burbank · Math · grades 1-5 (coding club to middle school)
Second location 3136 Foothill Blvd, La Crescenta 91214. 'Affordable rates' not itemized. Homeschool-day programming not mentioned.
Cost not listed
Snoop & Housh Flag Football League
Los Angeles · Sports & Athletics · Pre-K/K-8
Open to Pre-K through 8th grade boys and girls of all skill levels; NFL Flag affiliated with LA Chargers.
Cost not listed
Jack and Jill of America - Los Angeles Chapter
Los Angeles · African-Centered Education · children ages 2-19 of member mothers
Chapter page returned 403 to fetcher; details from search listing and Instagram. A separate West Los Angeles Chapter also exists (jackandjillinc.org/chapter/westlosangeles/). Membership by invitation with dues.
Cost not listed
Excellence Academy of African American Studies (Excellence Academy West)
Westchester, Los Angeles · Independent Schools · K-12 (enrolling grades 4-11 per post)
Facebook page (only web presence found; excellenceacademywest.com did not resolve) advertises private K-12, 8:1 ratio, income-based tuition, West LA campus 'now enrolling'. Verify accreditation/affidavit status and current operation before publishing.
Sliding scale
Social Justice Learning Institute (SJLI) - Urban Scholars & Black Male Youth Academy
Inglewood · Mentoring · high school (grades not stated)
Urban Scholars has served 3,810 students; graduates attended 39 campuses. Black Male Youth Academy and 100 Seeds of Change (urban ag) listed in navigation; ages/cost not stated.
Free
Sole Folks Art Lab (Sole Folks CDC)
Leimert Park, Los Angeles · Visual Arts · ages 5-12 kids class; 16-25 entrepreneurship
'Leimert Park Art Studio Free For The Community'; 2025 flyer listed Saturday-morning kids class ages 5-12 at $180 for 6 weeks; free workshops, poetry/music events. Home of Leimert Park Night Market pop-ups. CDC office: 4317 Degnan Blvd 90008.
Under $50/mo
Urban Scholar Academy
Inglewood · Tutoring · K-12
Nonprofit since 2012; Instagram bio: 'serving Black and Brown students and families through tutoring, mentorship, filmmaking, seasonal camps, homeschooling.' 1:1 online + in-person tutoring Mon-Fri 3-7pm; free (donations/grants). 2024-25 tutoring students grew 1.44 grade levels in reading. Super Bowl LVI Legacy Champion award.
Free
URBAN TXT: Teens Exploring Technology
South LA, Los Angeles · STEM & Coding · grades 7-11
Claims 95% of participants attend 4-year universities and 75% major in CS; 1,500+ students/yr. Programs: Youth Development, Coding, Business Development, Design Thinking.
Free
100 Classes for Black Kids
Los Angeles · Online Programs · not stated
Hosted by HomeSchool Association of California (HSC). All classes free on Zoom; goal is to increase access so Black children can explore more subjects. Team leader Kimberly Gordon.
Free
Brotherhood Crusade / African American Unity Center – Youth Arts (Ethnic Theater)
South LA, Los Angeles · Theater & Film · ages 10-24
No fees; South Central LA residents; call or walk in. Spanish available.
Free
Empowered Minds CC
Long Beach · Homeschool Co-op · K-8
Three days/week project-based academic support (math, ELA, science); accepts charter funds and direct pay; after-care via YMCA partnership. 2026-27 year starts Sep 8; applications opened Jul 20; waitlist available.
Cost not listed
Private School Village
Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles · Mentoring · PreK-12
Mission: transform private school experience for Black and Brown families. LA/Pasadena programs: PreK-8 Social Pods, High School Leadership Program, Somos PSV, back-to-school picnics ($12.50), The Village Scholarship. Not a school; relevant to families choosing independent schools.
Cost not listed
African Soul International (ASI Cultural Arts Center)
Leimert Park, Los Angeles · African Dance & Drum · youth and adult
8-class pass $12/class. Runs 'Black Dance Academy' fall program and Summer Camp 2026. States it is a Preferred Vendor for LAUSD and reached 200,000+ youth over 30 years. Street address not published; Yelp lists it near Leimert Park.
Under $50/mo
African American Homeschoolers of Southern CA
Los Angeles · Homeschool Co-op · all ages
Facebook page (URL spelled 'AfriacnAmerican' as published). Activity level unverified.
Free
Black Homeschoolers Alliance of Southern California
Los Angeles · Homeschool Co-op · all ages
Private Facebook group (~557 members per brief). Not fetchable by automated tool; description from Google snippet. Primary entry point for LA Black homeschool families; ask admins about park days and co-op activity.
Free
Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles (ICYOLA)
Ladera Heights, Los Angeles · Music · ages 10+ (approx. 125 members)
Programs: Orchestra Program, ICYOLA Academy, Drum Corps. Official orchestra of CSU Dominguez Hills. Ages/cost not on homepage.
Cost not listed
Marcus Garvey School
Hyde Park, Los Angeles · Independent Schools · K-8
CDE directory lists status Active, private elementary, K-8, open since 1980, last updated 2026-08-18. Historic Black independent school in Crenshaw district. Website offline; confirm enrollment status by phone before listing publicly. Facebook page exists (not fetchable).
Cost not listed
Unschooling While Black (SoCal listing)
Los Angeles · Homeschool Co-op · all ages
Facebook group; may be national in scope though listed on the SoCal homeschool resource page. Verify LA membership.
Free
The Village Nation
San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles · Mentoring · grades 6-12
501(c)(3) est. 2003; programs: TVN Scholars, Blk To College Symposium, Black Brown Love Assembly, Color Purple Seminar, UCLA UniCamp. Official LAUSD BENCH provider (school-contracted, not direct-enroll).
Cost not listed
Black Girls Code - Los Angeles Summer Camp (LA Chapter)
South LA, Los Angeles · STEM & Coding · ages 10-17 (camp); chapter serves Black girls 12-19
2026 LA camp Jul 27-31 at Baldwin Bethany CDC, SOLD OUT; game-development curriculum. LA chapter Instagram lists Black girls 12-19 with virtual events at 3pm PT. National org HQ Oakland.
Cost not listed
Pan African Film Festival - StudentFest
Crenshaw, Los Angeles · African-Centered Education · K-12 school groups
Brings Southern California school groups to 'curated screenings, interactive discussions, and exposure to filmmakers and artists' during the February festival; educators email PAFF to coordinate. Also runs a Children's Festival and ArtFest.
Cost not listed
Los Angeles Urban League - Youth Entrepreneurship (Biz Camp & Institute) and Project Ready
Crenshaw, Los Angeles · Entrepreneurship & Money · ages 13-18
'Two programs aimed at helping students ages 13-17 start and grow their business.' Also hosts county-wide Black HS Graduation celebration and Project Ready college/career program. Address not on fetched pages.
Cost not listed
Black-led programs by type
Black-led programs by LA neighborhood
How we verify Black-led programs
- How do you decide a program is Black-led?
- We record a stated, checkable basis — the owner says so, the organisation's mission says so, or credible press coverage says so — and we publish that basis next to the badge. We never infer it from a name, a photo, or a neighbourhood.
- Why do most listings have no Black-led label at all?
- Because nobody has recorded it. Of the programs in this directory, the majority have unknown ownership — that is a gap in our research, not a finding about the program. We are asking owners to tell us directly, and any program can claim its listing and say so.
- Are Black-led programs more expensive?
- No. Many of the Black-led programs in LA are free or run on a sliding scale, funded by grants and community support. The harder problem is the reverse: very few Black-led programs are set up as homeschool charter vendors, which is the one funding channel that pays a small program directly.
Run a Black-led program we've missed, or one we've marked unknown? Tell us and we'll list it free →