A 10-week Emotional Intelligence & Confidence program designed for young scholars ages 7–10.
Through engaging lessons, activities, and practical tools, scholars learn to recognize their emotions, express themselves, build confidence, and strengthen the skills they need to lead themselves and interact with others.
We Play a Role
Emotional Intelligence, confidence and self-leadership are skills children develop through practice. The EIC Program gives young scholars a dedicated space to learn these skills, practice them, and begin applying them in everyday situations.
Children don't simply grow into these skills, they have to be given opportunities to develop them.
Where the Journey Begins
The Foundation for Leadership
Before young people can lead others, they first need opportunities to understand themselves. The Emotional Intelligence & Confidence Program is a 10-week experience for Scholars ages 7–10, designed to help them build emotional awareness, confidence, communication, self-control, and early leadership skills. Through intentional lessons, guided activities, discussion, practice, and reflection, Scholars learn skills they can begin applying beyond the Academy.
Each week, Scholars step into an intentional learning environment designed to help them grow in confidence, self-awareness, communication, and leadership. The experience goes beyond a lesson; Scholars are given opportunities to learn, think, practice, connect, and reflect.
Recognize and understand their emotions
Communicate their thoughts and feelings
Manage their responses when emotions get big
Practice thoughtful decision-making
Build confidence in expressing themselves
Begin developing self-leadership skills
Ages 7-10
10 weekly in-person Academy sessions
EIC Curriculum & Activities
Dapper Elite Academy Journal
Scholar Decree
Learning Tools & Materials
2 Virtual Scholar Meetups — approximately 15 minutes each
Week 10 Graduation & Scholar Recognition
Every element is designed to support learning, practice, reflection, and growth throughout the 10-week experience.
I created the Emotional Intelligence & Confidence Program because these are skills many of us were never taught, and they shape the opportunities and leadership that come later. I built it to give Scholars practical tools while they're young.
For 10 years, I've built family, music, and culture programs through Dapper Nation (Formally known as Dapper Street). Dapper Elite Academy is where that work meets youth leadership.
- Shawna Canada, Founder
The EIC Program is designed for Scholars ages 7–10 who are ready to build confidence, emotional intelligence, communication, self-awareness, and leadership skills.
The EIC Program begins February 20, 2027. Sessions are held on Saturdays from 10:00–11:30 AM.
The Academy will meet in Charlotte, North Carolina, near Nations Ford Road. Exact location details will be provided to enrolled families.
Tuition for the 10-week program is $249, or two payments of $124.50
Scholars should arrive neat, clean, and appropriately dressed for the Academy environment. Specific dress expectations will be provided to families before the program begins.
No. Scholars participate independently in the Academy environment. Parents will drop off and pick up their Scholars.
The tenth week concludes with a small graduation and Scholar recognition ceremony. Parents will be invited to attend and celebrate their Scholar's completion of the program.
Families may request a full refund through December 26, 2026. After December 26, tuition is non-refundable. Once the program begins on January 9, 2027, tuition will not be refunded or prorated for missed sessions or if a Scholar chooses not to continue.
If Dapper Elite Academy cancels the program before it begins, enrolled families will receive a full refund.
Regular attendance is encouraged because each session builds on the 10-week experience. Missed sessions are not made up or prorated. When appropriate, families may receive a brief activity or resource to help their Scholar stay connected to the lesson.
No. EIC is the Academy's foundational program for the January 2027 launch. Dapper Elite Academy is being developed as a broader leadership academy for young people, with additional areas of development to be introduced over time.
No. EIC is a leadership and personal development program focused on emotional intelligence, confidence, communication, self-control, decision-making, and self-leadership.
Give your Scholar a place to learn, grow, and begin their leadership journey. Enrollment for the January 2027 Dapper Elite Academy program is now open.
Ages 7–10
Begins February 20th, 2027
Saturdays | 10:00–11:30 AM
Charlotte, NC
$249 in full | Or 2 payments of $124.50
Space is limited to 25 Students / Registration ends January 20, 2027