Dennis E. Bland is president of the Center for Leadership Development, a non-profit Indianapolis organization dedicated to preparing African American youth for academic, college and career success.  Founded in 1977, CLD offers 11 curriculum-based youth development programs that nurture over 1,200 teens and parents per year.  CLD’s five core values are Character, Education, Leadership, Service and Career.

Prior to joining CLD, Mr. Bland practiced law for nine years specializing in medical malpractice litigation and insurance law.

Mr. Bland earned a bachelors degree in economics from DePauw University and a juris doctorate (JD) from the Indiana University School of Law, Indianapolis.

He was appointed by Indiana Gov. Frank O’Bannon to the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, and was reappointed in 2008 by Gov. Mitch Daniels.  Gov. Daniels appointed him to also serve on the Indiana Education Roundtable.

Mr. Bland received the President’s Medal of Distinction from Ball State University in 2008 in recognition of his dedication to empowering African-American youth for academic, college and career achievement.  He also has received the Distinguished Alumni Service award for Humanities from DePauw University; the Distinguished Alumni Service Award from Indiana University School of Law, Indianapolis; the Distinguished Alumni Award from Broad Ripple High School; and the Distinguished Community Service Award from the Black Nurses Association of Indianapolis.

Mr. Bland serves on many boards, including the Tobias Center on Leadership, Indiana InternNet, Indiana University Law-Indianapolis Alumni Association, and Indianapolis Arts Council.  A native of Indianapolis, Mr. Bland is a member of Christ Temple Apostolic Church where he serves as a deacon, trustee, and eighth grade Sunday school teacher.  He enjoys reading, exercising, traveling and photography.