About SLM
Someone like you can become exactly who God created you to be.
Someone Like Me Leadership Academy is a highly intentional leadership and life development program created to help teenagers discover who God created them to be.
Who We Are
A one-year leadership experience in South Dallas
We equip students with the character, confidence, leadership skills, mentorship, and practical life tools they need to thrive, walking alongside them during one of the most influential seasons of their lives.
Our focus is spiritual growth, personal development, and practical preparation for adulthood, so that students become leaders who positively impact their families, schools, communities, and ultimately the world.
We believe every teenager possesses incredible God-given potential. Sometimes all they need is someone who believes in them, invests in them, challenges them, and walks beside them. That is exactly who we strive to be.
What the Name Means
Someone Like Me represents every young person who has ever wondered if they could become more.
- Someone raised in a single-parent household.
- Someone growing up in a rough neighborhood.
- Someone without positive role models.
- Someone who doesn't believe in themselves.
- Someone searching for identity.
- Someone looking for purpose.
- Someone who simply needs someone to believe in them.
Our message is simple: someone like you can become exactly who God created you to be.
Our goal is to fuel every student with everything they need to succeed in life: faith, mentorship, leadership, life skills, confidence, opportunities, and a community that believes in them.
What Makes Us Different
We invest deeply in a small number of students.
Only 15 students each year
Every student is hand-selected through an application and interview process because we believe meaningful transformation happens through intentional relationships and individualized investment.
A one-year commitment
Students accepted into the Academy commit to a full year. Parents commit to partnering with us by ensuring consistent attendance and participation throughout the year.
Annual reapplication
Students who wish to continue beyond one year submit a new application and must be accepted into the next Academy year.
Individualized attention
With one mentor for every two students, each young leader receives the attention, mentorship, and support they deserve.
Meet the Founders
Built by people who believe in every student.
Founder
Rochelle Clark
Rochelle Clark serves as a Children's Pastor at RIG Church DFW. With a background in youth development, ministry, leadership, and program development, Rochelle is passionate about creating environments where young people are seen, supported, and equipped to succeed. She holds a bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and a master's degree in Professional Development. SLM was born from her desire to fill a need she saw in the community, giving young people access to mentorship, life skills, meaningful opportunities, and people who will believe in them, even when they may not yet believe in themselves.
Co-Founder
Tarik Clark
Tarik Clark is the Co-Founder of Someone Like Me Leadership Academy and a ministry leader at RIG Church DFW. He has always had a heart for mentorship, particularly for young men who may be growing up without consistent guidance, positive role models, or access to opportunities. His passion comes from wanting to provide boys with the support, exposure, and experiences he wishes he had growing up. Through SLM, Tarik is committed to helping young people build confidence, develop strong character, discover their potential, and know that where they come from does not have to determine where they can go.
Academy begins Saturday October 3rd, 2026
Fifteen students. One unforgettable year.
Applications are reviewed personally, and every family is interviewed. If you believe your teenager is ready to be known, challenged, and deeply invested in, we would love to meet you.
Applications open now