"Celebrating Juneteenth with a purpose" was more than a theme for the 2005 UCLA African American Leadership school; it was a reality. "What I experienced within this group were the rewards of self-empowerment and the need for my participation in the union. That is what I will take back with me," said Elarryo Bolden, a participant in the school and leader at SEIU Local 99. Mr. Bolden was one of twenty-seven participants in the four-day leadership school, which focused on labor and social movement history, leadership development training, and how to turn strategy into action.

"I plan to survey my coworkers and target workers eighteen-thirty and get them more involved in the union," said Vivan Johnson, a member of SEIU Local 660. Coordinated by Labor Center Project Director Lola Smallwood Cuevas, the leadership school was held June 15-19 at the Downtown Labor Center. From firefighters, port workers, and city and county employees to home care providers, security officers, and electricians, the school brought emerging leaders together to recommit themselves to improving the lives of working people by learning from the best leaders in the country, including Rev. James Lawson Jr., Bill Lucy, Dr. Maulana Karenga, Anthony Thigpenn, AFSCME Local District Council President Alice Goff, Homecare Council Director Loretta Stevens, and many others.