LeDerick's Page

First Name:

LeDerick

Last Name:

Horne

Hometown:

Somerset

School/Organization Name:

Project Eye-To-Eye

City:

Somerset

State:

NJ

My Story:

LeDerick R. Horne spent most of his time in school believing he did not have much of a future. A severe learning disability (LD) combined with low self-esteem led him to doubt he would be able to go to college or pursue a meaningful career. But, in the challenging academic environment of New Jersey’s Middlesex County College, and with the support offered for his disability through Project Connections, a Learning Disabilities Resource Program at the College, LeDerick became an outstanding student, compiling a 3.75 grade point average. He transferred to New Jersey City University and graduated with honors from NJCU with a BA in Mathematics. Since graduation LeDerick has become the head of his own real estate investment company; he was appointed the Board Chair of Project Eye-To-Eye, a national nonprofit that provides mentoring programs for students with LD/ADHD; he has worked with a number of state initiatives to increase the leadership skills of youth with disabilities so they can govern the systems that provide them with services; and he is now recognized across the country as a speaker and advocate for people with disabilities.

LeDerick is also an accomplished spoken word poet and who uses his art to empower the people who attend his presentations and workshops. In 2005 Certified Organik Records released LeDerick Horne’s first CD, Rhyme Reason and Song. This CD features 13 of LeDerick’s poems set to music. In 2006 LeDerick produced, co-wrote, and performed in an original spoken word play loosely based on his experiences organizing community based open mics. The play, called New Street Poets, explores the affect of gentrification on urban culture and was accepted into the 2007 International Fringe Festival in NYC. During his short carrier as an advocate, LeDerick has facilitated workshops, delivered keynote presentations, and spoken to thousands of students, teachers, and service providers about his experiences.

More info about LeDerick can be found at www.horneonline.com/poet.

My Ideal School is a Place Where:

Everyone feels safe and is free to learn in the way that works best for them.

My Personal Motto:

Dig and be Dug in Return

Recommended Web sites:

www.horneonline.com/poet
www.projecteyetoeye.org