Mission: To help urban youth ages 8–15 step away from screens and step into real-life experiences that spark creativity, confidence, connection, and culture.
L.U.M.I (Leading Urban Minds Intentionally.
A youth movement rooted in New Orleans, designed to spark creativity, real-life connection, and community pride. L.U.M.I. brings young people together through local meetups, cultural experiences, and meaningful conversations that inspire leadership, self-expression, and a deep sense of belonging. It’s a space where youth grow, create, and connect with purpose.
💡 What
We Do- Together:
(L.u.m.i Sectors)
- L.U.M.I. Link Ups – In-person meetups, cultural outings, and community projects across the New Orleans area.
L.U.M.I. Labs – Dive into innovation, art, storytelling, and tech through hands-on creative experiences.
L.U.M.I. Circle – Safe spaces to heal, express, and talk about real-life topics and solutions that matter.
L.U.M.I. Roots – Learn about culture, legacy, and identity through engaging sessions.
We’re helping your child disconnect to reconnect—with culture, confidence, and community.
L.U.M.I. 🌟 What more can we say, besides.... We've found THE solution!
A youth movement for those who crave connection, creativity, and culture.
Rooted in the heart of New Orleans, L.U.M.I. (Leading Urban Minds Intentionally) is where young minds come together to grow, lead, and build community — and yes, have fun while doing it. This is the Big Easy, after all. At L.U.M.I., we believe joy is just as important as purpose.
Alongside powerful conversations and inspiring projects, our youth also gather for pop-up park meetups, community celebrations, creative workshops, teen socials, and laid-back hangouts that let them just be themselves. From second-line-style block parties to paint days in the park, every experience is designed to spark connection, self-expression, and unforgettable memories.
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Created by a mother, educator, and community advocate.
Lakischa Smith
I’ve been watching closely—observing our children, including my own, with their eyes glued to phones, missing out on real-life connections and moments that shape who we are. Some are socially withdrawn, some lonely, some seem content—but deep down, we know something’s missing. They’re losing out on memories, on confidence, on community.
That’s why I created this social club: for the parents who want more for their youth. For those who want their children to experience the joy of real friendships, laughter in the park, teamwork, creativity, and belonging. But I can’t do this alone.
This is a hands-on co-op, built on the idea that community shows up. We need parent volunteers every step of the way—because the heart of this club is care, and care is something we model together.
FAQ
L.U.M.I. (Leading Urban Minds Intentionally) is a New Orleans-based youth movement that blends real-world experiences, meaningful conversations, and strong community roots to help youth build friendships, grow socially, and have fun—off the screen and in real life.
We currently serve ages 8 to 15, separated by age groups.
Groups separated by 8-11 and 12-15
Both!
We host:
In-person meetups (parks, events, field trips)
Live virtual circles where youth talk about life, dreams, identity, and growth and real world events/ solutions.
We meet virtually 2x per month (per group, except the youngest group) and in-person at least once per month per group) Often more, just depends on what we have planned for that month.
Outdoor games and creative challenges
Cultural field trips around NOLA
Team-building and confidence workshops
Book club and journaling circles (coming soon)
Guest speakers and youth-led projects
- Dance parties and other planned events that the social club per groups suggests.
$25 per month: Your membership supports the cost of event supplies, materials, planning, and space when needed. It helps keep L.U.M.I. going strong while making sure your child has consistent access to a safe, enriching, and fun environment with peers—without the pressure of screens or isolation. Membership includes access to all of the L.U.M.I sectors (unless the event is ticketed)
This is less than $1 a day
Includes access to monthly events, real-life social engagement, creative workshops, and community-driven programming.
Some events may require a small ticket fee to help cover costs like space rentals or materials, but we’re committed to keeping it affordable. We aim to keep any additional charges under $20—and when possible, we’ll avoid extra fees altogether.
Yes, all L.U.M.I. meetups are supervised by trusted adults and parent volunteers.
We operate as a hands-on community co-op, which means parents play an active role—helping with supervision, snacks, setup, and more. This shared effort helps us keep the space safe, supported, and rooted in care.
No, drop-off is allowed with signed waivers and contact information. But, they are always welcome to stay if space permits or sign up to be a volunteer.
We’re not just a youth club—we’re a movement.
L.U.M.I focuses on:
Real-life social skill building
Cultural pride rooted in New Orleans
Friendship over followers
Healing, honesty, and fun
Easy! Just fill out our sign-up form and we’ll follow up with the welcome info.
