NYPD- SYPA 2026 Graduation
On August 14th, Aleisha was invited by the New York City Police Department (NYPD) as the keynote speaker for the 2026 graduating class of the Summer Youth Police Academy. The ceremony was held in Queens, NY.
The NYPD- SYPA is one of several innovative, effective programs that the Department provides for young people in New York City. The program gives young individuals between the ages of 10 and 15 the opportunity to train with police officers during the summer, leading to positive relationships between the Police Department and the city's youth. During her speech, Aleisha addressed the graduates, summarizing their recent achievements imparting sounds advice to take with them on their future journeys:
“Graduates, I want to leave you with three words: Dream. Learn. Represent.
Dream beyond what you think is possible. Learn from every person and every experience that comes your way. And when your opportunity comes—and it will—represent yourself, your family, your community, and this great city, well. I am standing here today as proof that a kid from New York City can take the lessons learned right here and use them to build a life beyond what I have imagined. So don't be afraid to dream big. New York is your classroom. Your voice is your power. And your future is yours to create. I am proud of you. New York is proud of you. And I cannot wait to see what you do next.”
Aleisha also used her time to address the graduates’ parents and loved one, as well as the members of the NYPD, who were responsible for fostering the success of this special day:
“To the parents and families here today, congrats to you, too! With your guidance, your children made a commitment and they followed through. Every morning you helped your children get here, with every conversation you had with them, and every time you supported them to keep going, helped make this day possible. And today, you get to watch them cross this finish line. Be proud and please always remember: your children are watching you. Your encouragement matters most. Continue reminding them that their circumstances do not define their possibilities.Keep uplifting them. Keep challenging them. And keep reminding them that their future is bigger than whatever situations they may face today. And to the NYPD officers and instructors: thank you for investing your time, energy, resources, patience, and knowledge into these young people. Programs like this help create understanding and positive relationships that can extend well beyond this summer.”
Aleisha was honored to be part of this special ceremony and witness the talents of New York’s upcoming youth!
