"From Vision to Impact"
YELA
Mission: Empowering youth and young adults through entrepreneurship, leadership, and real-world experience.
Vision: To cultivate a generation of confident, purpose-driven innovators who lead with heart and hustle.
How YELA Came To Be
The Young Entrepreneurship & Leadership Academy (YELA) was born from a legacy — a legacy of faith, resilience, and the unwavering belief in the potential of the next generation.
YELA was envisioned as a living extension of the values and impact created by Cheryl Ellis-Taylor, founder of Creative Nonprofit Business Consultants LLC (CB Consultants).
Cheryl’s journey, rooted in community service, education, and empowerment, planted the seeds for something greater — a platform that would raise
up young minds not just to dream, but to lead, build, and transform.
Recognizing the gaps in access, mentorship, and opportunity faced by youth and young adults, CB Consultants knew more was needed than just guidance — they needed a launchpad. And so, YELA was established. Supported by the CB Consultants team, YELA provides structured programs in entrepreneurship, leadership
development, and real-world readiness — wrapped in a culture of accountability, creativity, and community.
At its core, YELA is more than a program — it’s a movement. A hive where young visionaries learn to lead with purpose, speak with confidence, and act with impact. Through workshops, mentorships, and hands-on projects, students emerge not only with business ideas, but with the mindset and skill set to shape their futures.
Because we believe when you empower youth, you don’t just change their lives — you change the world they will one day lead.
Who We Serve
At YELA — the Young Entrepreneurship & Leadership Academy — we serve two powerful, purpose-driven cohorts:
Youth Entrepreneurship & Leadership Academy (YELA)
🔹 Youth: Ages 13–19
These formative teenage years are critical. It’s a time when identity is still being shaped and possibilities are just beginning to take form. YELA offers mentorship, leadership development, and hands-on entrepreneurship training to help teens explore their potential early and build confidence before stepping into adulthood.
Young Ambitious Minds Ignited
🔹 Young Adults: Ages 20+
This age group stands at a pivotal crossroad
— often navigating college, workforce entry, or uncertain career paths. For many, it’s a season filled with big decisions but little guidance. YELA creates a space where young adults can access real-world strategies, entrepreneurial tools, and purpose-driven mentorship to build their own paths to success.
Why These Ages Matter
We focus on these two groups because they represent critical windows of influence. Early exposure to leadership, vision, and
entrepreneurship has the power to alter life trajectories. Whether it’s guiding a 15-year-old who dreams of owning a business or
equipping a 24-year-old to lead in their community — YELA is committed to helping our participants rise, thrive, and lead with purpose.
Our Core Values
At YELA, our foundation is built on values that shape every experience, every lesson, and every future leader we support:
💪
🤝
💡
🧭
🕊️
Empowerment
We equip young minds with tools, knowledge, and confidence to take ownership of their futures.
Community
We believe in the power of collective support — building together, rising together.
Innovation
We encourage fresh ideas and creative thinking to solve real-world challenges.
Leadership
We cultivate purpose-driven leaders who lead with integrity, courage, and clarity.
Legacy
We honor the past by creating impact that will outlive us — empowering generations to come.
Program Director & Curriculum Developer
Cheryl Ellis-Taylor is the visionary behind the Youth Entrepreneurship & Leadership Academy and the founder of Creative Nonprofit Business Consultants, a firm committed to helping purpose-driven entrepreneurs and organizations build strong, sustainable foundations.
A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and woman of faith, Cheryl brings over 50 years of business experience across customer service, leadership development, and nonprofit consulting. She holds a Master’s degree in Leadership & Management and is certified in Nonprofit Management, equipping her with the tools to guide both youth and professionals alike.
At the heart of Cheryl’s work is legacy. Through her consulting firm and programs like YELA, she is committed to preparing the next generation to rise as empowered, community-minded leaders with real-world business knowledge and unwavering confidence.
LaTia Brooks is the powerhouse driving the planning and execution of YELA. As a seasoned business strategist, coach, and grant writer, she brings a unique blend of creativity, structure, and strategic thinking to every aspect of the program. Her expertise extends across program development, logistics, budget oversight, and community engagement.
LaTia leads the charge in designing YELA’s curriculum framework, managing timelines, and ensuring operational excellence across the board. Her role also includes onboarding guest speakers, aligning resources with program goals, and working closely with the broader CB Consultants team to create a seamless, impactful experience for every student.
With her unwavering dedication and visionary leadership, LaTia helps transform ideas into action—ensuring each cohort of YELA students is empowered, inspired, and equipped to lead.
Program Operations Manager & Strategic Lead
Youth Ambassador & Program Spokesperson
Nevaeh Griffin serves as the official youth voice and ambassador of YELA. As a driven teen leader with a passion for entrepreneurship, creativity, and empowerment, Nevaeh embodies the spirit of the Academy—leading by example and showing her peers what’s possible when purpose meets action.
Her role bridges the gap between the student experience and the leadership team. Nevaeh will represent YELA across social platforms, help shape student engagement strategies, and support outreach through peer-driven storytelling and authentic connection. Whether she's sharing behind-the-scenes moments or speaking to prospective students, she brings energy, relatability, and a strong voice to the Academy’s mission.
Nevaeh’s presence ensures that YELA remains student-centered, inspiring young leaders to dream bigger, speak louder, and show up boldly.
Join Our Vision
Become a MENTOR to our future entrepreneurs!
Contact Us
(909) 706-8795
contact@yela.academy
Open Hours
By Appointment Only
Location
Upland, CA
All Rights Reserved.