Through the creation of a Parent Leadership Institute, the NAEAACLD is striving to reach an unprecedented number of African American families by selecting proven advocacy leaders in strategic locations throughout the United States to serve as its primary members. The goal of the PLI is to not only bring together passionate parent advocates but to provide a united voice on public policy issues. Members of the PLI have demonstrated their commitment to making change and bettering the lives of children who have previously been misunderstood, mislabeled, and underrepresented in the fight for educational rights. Many PLI members are African American parents, grandparents, or other individuals with experience in special education. Most have children with learning disabilities but have extended their advocacy to serve other children in their communities.
PLI members are offered trainings from time to time to help keep them updated on the law that protects children with disabilities. Please visit Parent Trainings on this website for more information. If you would like to become a member of the Parent Leadership Institute, please complete the Join Our Mailing List form, which is accessed on the Contact Us page of this website. To find a parent leader in your state, click here.