Upcoming Events

Click link to learn more...

Online Giving Day is September 18, 2025

We are excited to announce that we are participating for the first time in Long Beach Gives! This is a city-wide fundraising event for local non-profits. Love what we are doing for our youth teaching important life skills? Your donation will help us to continue EmpowerED: Life Skills for Success!

On September 19 (and early giving starting Sept. 12), your donation will support he following goals:

𝟏. Help us provide essential resources and needed supplies for our students. This includes a sewing kit, tool kit, first aid, building projects, cooking supplies, etc.

𝟐. Help us continue to provide professional training from industry experts.
𝟑. Help us to increase the number of students we serve annually.

We are so excited to kick off our fundraising campaign with you! Let's show our youth and keep Bixby Knolls growing and thriving.

CONNECTING COMMUNITY TO NEEDED RESOURCES

Our Mission

Elite Skills Development (ESD) empowers underserved Long Beach youth by building essential life skills that foster independence, and strengthen pathways to financial stability.

Our Vision

Our programs support life skills and financial stability and ignites transformative change, equipping people to unlock their full potential and strengthen their communities."

EmpowerED was created in 2024 and has served 265 youth, ages 11 to 19. Every participant has been trained in basic meal preparation, operating six hand tools, standard sewing stitches, disaster preparedness, beginning first aid and financial literacy. Through the completion of this training participants have acquired skills that will benefit them as they move into adulthood.

Elite Skills Development’s Empowered is a program for youth ages 12 to 19 in Long Beach. Youth that increases the life skills and financial acumen of participants. Youth are paired with industry professionals and provided hands-on learning opportunities to prepare youth for navigating real-world challenges.

Participants attend four, four-hour workshops covering life management skills that include laundry, grocery shopping on a budget, upgrading cooking skills, basic home repairs, first aid, emergency preparedness, and financial literacy. Personal development growth includes managing social media presence, making tough decisions and setting boundaries and knowing when to say “No”.

EmpowerED:
Life Management
Skills

Historic Black Cultural District
(HBCD)

The HBCD honors and maintains the heritage, traditions, and contributions of African Americans. It encompasses historically important locations like churches, schools, parks, libraries, and community centers, along with businesses and galleries that highlight Black art, music, literature, and cuisine.