41,000 ZIP Codes. One Nation.
We're building a nationwide network of transformative leaders, one from every ZIP code in America. Each returns home equipped to create lasting change.
One Leader from Every ZIP Code
Imagine the collective power of thousands of young leaders returning to transform their communities
41,000 ZIP codes. 41,000 leaders. One transformed nation.
Community Transformation
Each leader returns with the skills, network, and vision to address their community's unique challenges.
Nationwide Network
Leaders form lifelong bonds, creating a powerful support system that spans every corner of America.
Generational Impact
The ripple effect continues as each leader inspires others, creating lasting change for generations to come.
"Once you learn to read, you will be forever free."
Your Zip Code Shouldn't Define Your Destiny
For promising American students in underserved communities, Douglass Leadership Academy offers a world-class boarding school experience at elite East African institutions—at a cost covered by public education funds. We're not just changing schools; we're changing the trajectory of a lifetime.
Elite Institutions
Century-old 'Etons of East Africa'
Geographic Arbitrage
World-class education, smart economics
Global Citizenship
Build lifelong cross-cultural fluency
Fully Funded
Through ESAs and vouchers
Two Pathways, One Mission
We're building a self-sustaining ecosystem where American students gain transformative global experiences while directly funding education for thousands in East Africa.
The Leadership Immersion
A radical reimagining of the semester abroad. We partner with elite, century-old educational institutions in Uganda to provide an unparalleled immersion experience for promising American students.
Academic Rigor
Challenging curriculum, small classes, and a peer group of driven, high-achieving students.
Safety & Structure
Secure boarding school campus focused on learning and growth, free from home distractions.
Real-World Skills
Capstone projects in coding, media, and entrepreneurship that build portfolios Ivy League schools crave.
The Financial Engine
Per-pupil funding in many US districts ($15,000-$20,000/year) covers tuition, room, board, healthcare, and flights. Through ESAs and voucher programs, we redirect existing public funds to deliver vastly superior outcomes. Each US student generates a ~$1,200 surplus that funds our Uganda Café Partnership.
The Uganda Café Partnership
A scalable, tech-driven "Learn-to-Earn" platform that pays students directly for academic mastery. By partnering with local entrepreneurs and leveraging Uganda's mobile money network, we turn internet cafés into engines of learning and economic opportunity.
The Problem
For millions of families in rural Africa, the biggest barrier to education isn't a lack of schools—it's economics. When a child is in a classroom, they're not contributing to the family's daily survival.
The Solution
We pay students directly and instantly for learning. When a student masters a concept, a mobile money payment is sent to their family's wallet. School becomes a job.
The Economics
We're on a path to reduce costs from $150/year to $100/year per learner. With net revenue from each US student covering 8-12 Ugandan learners, we're building a self-perpetuating economic engine that scales to 100,000+ students within five years.
Our Approach
Phase One: Proof of Concept
- Launch partnerships with elite Ugandan boarding schools (King's College Budo)
- Pilot cohort of US students in immersion program
- Deploy Learn-to-Earn platform in 3-5 internet cafés
- Establish proof engine with rigorous data collection
Phase Two: Scale & Optimize
- Expand to 50+ US students in Uganda immersion
- Scale café network to 50+ locations serving 1,000+ learners
- Reduce unit economics to $100/year per learner
- Launch adaptive learning platform integrations
Phase Three: National Impact
- Scale to 100,000+ learners across Uganda and East Africa
- Establish multiple immersion partnerships across the region
- Launch community-owned café franchise model
- Achieve full financial sustainability through cross-subsidy