OBJECTIVE This 3-year study examines a theoretically designed community-based program aimed to reduce the risk of first-time involvement by minority youth with the juvenile justice system. METHODS A quasi-experimental design with a nonrandomized sample of 146 African American youth test an expressive art curriculum with an after school control group. Outcome measures include protective factors, behavioral self-control, self-esteem, and resilience. RESULTS Ninety males and 56 females participated over the 3 years. All four of the outcomes were statistically significant or the LEAD group over the control group. Youth evaluate the LEAD program higher. CONCLUSIONS LEAD can be viewed as a promising prevention program. Plans for replication, with larger samples and a longitudinal design are needed to examine the effects of the development of African American youth along with other variables that relate to later acquisition of offending behaviors. J Am Psychiatr Nurses Assoc, 2009; 14(6), 429-441.