Founded in 2007, the Youth Association for Academics, Athletics and Character Education (Y.A.A.A.C.E) is a Black-led community organization that seeks to engage children and youth from all communities – particularly those from marginalized and under-resourced communities through participation in year round comprehensive programming and activities (academics, athletics, recreation, technology and the arts). Y.A.A.A.C.E’s mandate is twofold: to build capacity in all children and youth thus enhancing their capacity to become twenty first century learners and global citizens.