The Beginning: From Vision to Movement
- Amaia Davis
- Nov 4
- 2 min read
Updated: Nov 6
“Be who you needed when you were younger.”
For Tiny Adams, that phrase has been the heartbeat of Leader Breeders since the very beginning. The program started with a simple idea — to give Baltimore’s youth the kind of guidance and support she once wished she had.
“When I think about the start of Leader Breeders, it came from my everyday interactions with young people,” she says. “I always wanted a space where kids could go, not just to stay busy, but to feel empowered and mentored.”
Those early days were filled with big dreams and even bigger determination. Tiny remembers applying for million-dollar grants and scouting commercial properties before the organization had the resources to make it real. “Every great entrepreneur is a little naive in the beginning,” she admits. “But that dream — to have our own youth development space — never left.”
Five years later, that dream still fuels the mission. Leader Breeders now works across Baltimore through recreation and after-school partnerships, offering mentorship, sports, and life-skills programs that continue to grow in reach and impact. “We still don’t have a permanent space yet,” Tiny says, “but the work proves our vision is needed and appreciated.”
The lessons along the way have been just as meaningful as the milestones. “At first, I had the vision but not the plan,” she says. “Now I understand how to build capacity, find funding, and execute strategy. The mission has always been the same — it’s just grown far beyond what I imagined.”
Tiny leads with both humility and heart. “I consider myself a servant leader,” she says. “It’s never about me. It’s about the kids, my team, and the mission. Leadership can be lonely, but it’s worth it when you see the impact.”
As Leader Breeders celebrates five years, Tiny keeps her eyes on the next chapter — one built on sustainability, growth, and that same unshakable dream of creating a permanent home for Baltimore’s youth. “We’ve come so far,” she says, “but this is just the beginning.”
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