The Southside Community Collaborative Teen Leadership Academy (SCC TLA),
sprang from a community conversation on mental health. In 2013, there was tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut. Former President Barack Obama called for community conversation across the country, for adults and young people to come together and talk about their needs. Columbus, Ohio was one of those sites that hosted this community conversation. Many of our community youth gathered with adult leaders to talk about their concerns. We didn’t just talk about it, we did something about it, hence, The Southside Community Collaborative Teen Leadership Academy was born. From this community conversation our youth wanted to address four pressing needs that would strengthen the community and reduce the violence.