Spades Academy
Spades Academy™ is Love, Peace & Spades’ curriculum-based, expert-coach-led educational program—and one of our most signature offerings.
Through Spades Academy™, we invite people of all ages to (re)learn, play, and connect through what we call #BlackFamilyHeirlooms—games such as Bid Whist, Tunk, Dominoes, and, of course, Spades. Designed as both a cultural classroom and a communal space, the program blends history, strategy, and storytelling to preserve the legacy of leisure and play traditions while building essential skills like communication, teamwork, socio-emotional regulation, and critical thinking.
Developed and led by Kevito Clark (CEO/Founder) and Dr. Xhercis Méndez (Love, Peace & Spades’ Director of Education/Founder of Listen Bridge Change), Spades Academy™ holds a monthly residency at Our House in South Los Angeles and is available as a school and institutional program for youth, adult, and intergenerational audiences.
For those outside of Los Angeles, The Strategic Play Lab — Cohort I is our inaugural virtual program, bringing the full Spades Academy™ experience online to players and learners anywhere.
Whether it's your first time at the table, or you're ready to compete—there’s a seat for you here with us.
→ Apply for Cohort I | → RSVP for Our Next Session | → Bring Spades Academy to Your School or Organization