Youth 2 Leaders | Our Programs | Tavis Smiley Foundation Leadership Institute

Youth 2 Leaders | Home

Tavis Smiley Foundation Leadership Institute

The 2009 Leadership Institute will take place Aug. 7-12 on the campus of UCLA in Los Angeles. The Tavis Smiley Foundation will select about 200-250 students based upon academic achievement, a letter of recommendation, leadership and community service and an essay. The application process will open in a few weeks and notice will be sent via email. If you are not on our email list, please contact us at Y2L@tavistalks.com

The purpose of the Institute is to train youth to meet the challenges in their communities. It enables young people who aspire to lead learn skills common to effective leaders. Leadership participants will learn to assess their strengths and weaknesses, review models of leadership, develop strategic plans, collect and analyze data, set goals, communicate effectively to build networks, examine legislation and public policy, and then apply these skills to create successful lives for themselves and/or impact community change.

Here are highlights from the
2007 Leadership Institute

About the Tavis Smiley Foundation Leadership Institute

LEAD. LOVE. SAVE. SERVE.

"You can't lead the people if you don't love the people. You can't save the people if you won't serve the people."

The Leadership Institute is the centerpiece of the Tavis Smiley Foundation’s Youth to Leaders program. Teens, ages 13-18, are invited to apply for admission to attend this annual conference.

Leadership Institute Philosophy and Motto

The motto of the Institute comes from our esteemed faculty member, Dr. Cornel West. It is: “You can’t lead the people if you don’t love the people. You can’t save the people if you won’t serve the people.” LEAD. LOVE. SAVE. SERVE.

This view of leadership and service is woven throughout the Institute program and sets the framework for the learning objectives. Through workshops, panel discussions and interactive activities, the participants learn to assess their strengths and weaknesses, review models of leadership, set goals, discuss and debate issues and create action plans to address issues important to youth.

The curriculum also includes career and college planning and a special series of workshops for adults on how to engage youth leadership and advocacy. At the culmination of the conference the students complete an on-site service project.

Our goal is to build leaders who will love themselves and others and be committed to saving and serving those in need.

Youth-Led, Adult-Supported Model

Leading experts conduct many of the workshops and sessions but a key component is the foundation’s National Youth Advisory Council. These teen alumni help design and run the Institute. These youth have received training in youth facilitation which enables them to serve as role models to their peers and increases their experiential learning.

MISSION

The mission of the Tavis Smiley Foundation is to enlighten, encourage and empower youth by providing leadership training that will promote and enhance the quality of life for themselves, their communities and our world.

INSTITUTE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The goals of the Leadership Institute are:

To develop a cadre of young leaders with critical-thinking skills who will share their knowledge and skills and make a positive impact on the world.
To help youth develop a sense of civic and personal responsibility and commitment.
To foster relationships among youth from different parts of the country, schools, church and community groups.
To increase student awareness about important issues facing our world.

The objectives are:

The Institute will provide leadership training to more than 200 students and 40 adults interested in youth engagement.
Each student attendee will be challenged to join with youth in their community or school to create a service project within six months of Institute. Outstanding individuals, teams and their projects will be featured on the foundation's website and receive special commendation from Tavis Smiley.

Youth 2 Leaders