Mohamad French earned his CompTIA Security+ certification in April and his master's degree in computer science a month later. Now he’s standing in front of seven students, compressing months of study material into four days, building the slides as he goes, and wrapping up by 3 PM because, as he puts it, any longer feels like it's pushing human limits. Read more…

Seven young adults sat down to learn cybersecurity and change the trajectory of their careers. ILIA's CompTIA Security+ boot camp, launched on May 9 as part of Baltimore's Promise CareerBound Stackable Credentials program, is a four-day, two-weekend intensive built for IT-certified students ready to level up. Read more…

We've been taught that strength means holding it together. But what if the most courageous thing you can do is admit that you're not? For millions of people, especially in underserved communities, mental health becomes a luxury. This Mental Health Awareness Month, we're sitting with the feelings we've been trained to skip past. Read more...

ILIA Baltimore hosted another youth-led food drive, distributing essential grocery packages including chicken, eggs, canned goods, and bread to families facing food insecurity across the community. The two-hour event, held in honor of Global Youth Service Day and Youth Service Month and funded through the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation grant, was organized and run entirely by young volunteers who managed distribution stations, tracked inventory, and guided families through the process with care and intention. Read More…

Islamic Leadership Institute of America (ILIA) brought its fourth Safe Haven cybersecurity workshop to 1510 W. Lafayette Ave., arming Baltimore residents with the digital tools to protect themselves against a rising tide of online hate crimes and cyber threats. Read more…

Eight young people stood at the edge of the Chesapeake Bay in 2025 and chose not to look away. Armed with gloves and a future worth fighting for, ILIA youth stepped into the long and living story of one of America's most storied waterways! This Earth Day, their story is the answer to a question the world keeps asking: Who will save this planet? Read more…

On April 12, 2026, ILIA hosted a free clothes drive in Baltimore where families received gently used and new clothing, shoes, blankets, and more. If you missed it, this is only the beginning. Read more...

ILIA’s recent community event at BCYF's Summer of Opportunities Fair proved to be a strong success, creating meaningful connections with local families while showcasing its programs to a diverse audience. The experience highlighted the importance of being present in spaces where authentic conversations and trust-building naturally occur. Read more...

Mohamad French traveled to Hagerstown to deliver a cybersecurity workshop for community members at ISWMD, equipping attendees with essential knowledge to better protect themselves against growing digital threats. The session sparked strong engagement, with participants asking thoughtful questions and actively contributing to the discussion. Read More…

ILIA hosted a successful Safe Haven cybersecurity workshop on April 10 at Living Classrooms in Baltimore. As part of the state-funded Safe Haven initiative addressing rising hate crimes and online threats, the session highlighted practical strategies for cybersecurity awareness. Read more…

Discover how a student at Backbone Mountain Youth Center overcame literacy barriers to express his faith and leadership through art in ILIA's "I Can Lead" competition. Read more…

The Islamic Leadership Institute of America (ILIA) is closing the gap between traditional learning and real-world impact by integrating research into its curriculum design. From an experiential learning based framework to a full fledged Islamic Positive Youth Development Framework, ILIA’s Research Team develops structured models that connect authentic faith to daily life. This data-driven approach empowers educators with actionable strategies and provides students with a purposeful, cohesive, and modern learning journey. Read more…

NASA’s recent historic Artemis II mission, which launched astronauts around the Moon on April 2nd, is inspiring more than space exploration. It is inspiring the next generation. Almost a year ago, six Baltimore youth experienced a transformative ILIA visit to NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, getting a behind-the-scenes look at STEM in action. Read more…

ILIA Baltimore launched its first-ever Hygiene Drive in Baltimore, MD — providing essential products including toothpaste, mouthwash, feminine hygiene items, and razors to community members in need. Despite rainy weather and a modest turnout, the impact was clear in the gratitude of every family served. Read more...

ILIA has launched a new YouTube series hosted by Mohamad French, offering faith-informed strategies to stay safe online as cyber threats and Islamophobia rise. The series provides actionable tools to protect your data and respond to threats. Read more!

Shane Ford, ILIA’s Youth Project Manager, led a community food drive, ensuring families were supported and informed. Despite long wait times, he kept operations organized, engaged with attendees, and distributed available food early to ease the burden. Read more…

Khyri Sims, a Youth Coach of the I Can Lead Program talks about community service, especially in spaces that are often overlooked or under resourced.
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ILIA launched “Leading Oneself to Second Chances”, a statewide initiative bringing leadership development to incarcerated youth. By adapting its Positive Youth Development Framework (IPYD) into the Juvenile Active Learning Framework (JAL), ILIA created a model tailored to juvenile environments, empowering young people to reflect, learn, and grow despite challenging circumstances. Read more!

ILIA youth secured the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation Youth Grant, empowering them to expand monthly food drives and strengthen youth‑led hunger relief efforts in Baltimore. The grant supports logistics, volunteer training, and outreach, ensuring families receive consistent access to nutritious food. This milestone reflects ILIA’s commitment to building a generation of leaders dedicated to service, compassion, and community responsibility. Read more!

ILIA participated in multiple Career Open Houses across Baltimore in March 2026, connecting directly with job seekers and community members. These events provided opportunities to share ILIA’s workforce readiness programs, resulting in over 40 enrollments. By engaging diverse audiences, ILIA strengthened pathways to employment and expanded awareness of its youth empowerment initiatives. Read more!

The Islamic Leadership Institute of America (ILIA) collaborates with Makkah Learning Center, a technical partner, providing resources such as Muslim Connector Issue #3 and educational materials to encourage thoughtful dialogue about Ramadan, the Qur’an, and the foundations of faith. Read more!

ILIA expanded its service map to include Green Ridge and the Lower Eastern Shore, strengthening outreach and support for youth and families in these regions. By extending program access, ILIA ensures that more communities benefit from coaching, empowerment initiatives, and leadership development. This expansion reflects ILIA’s commitment to building inclusive networks of service across Maryland and beyond. Read more!

ILIA launched a Ramadan Guide tailored for juvenile residents, offering spiritual context, practical tips, and resources to help youth observe the blessed month meaningfully. The guide emphasizes reflection, worship, and community connection, ensuring that young participants can engage with Ramadan traditions in supportive environments. This initiative reflects ILIA’s commitment to empowering youth through faith, guidance, and leadership. Read more!

A sudden water heater malfunction caused flooding at ILIA’s Baltimore office, disrupting operations and damaging facilities. Staff and volunteers responded quickly to contain the impact and begin recovery efforts. The incident highlighted the importance of resilience and community support, as ILIA worked to restore its space and continue serving youth and families without interruption. Read more!

ILIA youth volunteers organized and delivered the Ramadan Food Drive, distributing essential supplies to families in need across Maryland. The initiative embodied the spirit of generosity and service during the blessed month, while empowering young leaders to take active roles in community support. Through teamwork and compassion, the food drive strengthened bonds of faith and solidarity. Read more!

Islamic Leadership Institute of America (ILIA) proudly announces the launch of @islamicleader.swva, dedicated to highlighting local projects, youth achievements, and community events across Southwest Virginia. This new platform strengthens connections with families, youth, and partners while expanding ILIA’s presence in the region. Read more!