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Youth Leadership Institute

Home > Youth Leadership Institute

Youth Leadership Institute

Home > Youth Leadership Institute

Youth Leadership Institute

YLI Convening

A convening of youth organizers, adult allies and educators whose shared vision of education equity.  YLI is focused on supporting youth and adult allies to develop deeper relations and learn to build power through youth-adult partnership. 

What is the Youth Leadership Institute (YLI)?

The Youth Leadership Institute (YLI) is an annual convening presented by the New England Youth Organizing Network (NEYON) that brings together youth, adult allies & educators who are fighting for equitable public education throughout New England communities. 

With the generous support of the Nellie Mae Education Foundation, YLI attendees come together annually to build understanding and support for youth organizing for education justice, develop relationships, share learning, and plan for youth organizing work in the upcoming school year.

When is YLI?

August 5-7th, 2024 at the Babson Executive Conference Center

What happens at YLI?

The Youth Leadership Institute is a space designed and implemented by the Youth Planning team in collaboration with the Center for Youth & Community Leadership in Education (CYCLE). The YLI planning team works to create a space that inspires, celebrates and reinforces the youth organizing that is happening throughout New England communities.
Stay tuned for more updates on YLI 2024! But in the meantime save the date for August 5th-7th, 2024 at the Babson Executive Conference Center!

Fill out the 2024 YLI Interest Form

This year for YLi we area askigng NEYON Organizations to fill out the YLI 2024 to confirm attendance to YLI this year. If you aren't a NEYON organization fill out the form and we will contact you when spots become available.

When is YLI being held?

YLI 2024 is being held at the Babson Executive Conference Center in Wellesley, MA on Monday August 5th through Wednesday, August 7th, 2024

Overnight stay for the conference will be at the Sheraton Boston Needham Hotel this year. Shuttles will be provided for groups that indicate a need for it on registration between the hotel and the conference center. 2 Youth from their organization will be assigned to a room together. Adult Allies will have individual rooms.

Who plans and implements the Youth Leadership Institute?

YLI is planned by a group of high school aged youth leaders who represent different organizations across NEYON and were selected to be part of the Youth Planning Team. The Youth Planning Team in collaboration with the CYCLE Youth Leadership team create the content and implement the conference together. The CYCLE Youth Leadership team also coordinates the New England Youth Organizing Network (NEYON).

Who will be able to attend YLI 2024?

Organizations that are a part of the New England Youth Organizing Network (NEYON).  When there are extra spots available for groups to attend and aren’t a part of the NEYON network invitations will be sent out by the CYCLE team. You must be a participant in a NEYON organization and cannot attend independently.

How many people from each organization can attend YLI 2024?

We’re inviting 2 adult allies and 6 youth to attend the conference. Please let us know via the YLI 2024 interest form if you would like to bring additional attendees.  We will contact you if we have extra spots available.

What are some of the COVID-19 Protocols?

YLI has no vaccination requirement this year but we strongly encourage attendees have full vaccination. We will have COVID-19 rapid tests onsite as well as masks. Masking is recommended but not required.  If you aren’t feeling well we ask that you stay home. 

How much is it to attend YLI?

Due to the generous support of the Nellie Mae Education Foundation, organizations from the NEYON network and invited youth organizations attend the conference for at no cost including all meals and overnight accommodations.  Transportation to and from the conference will be not be covered.

Will I be able to know who the presenters are for each session?

We’ll be releasing an agenda sometime in July 2024 with details around presenters via the Whova app.

Where can I access the event’s full agenda?

All YLI 2024 content will be shared via the Whova app including registration for the conference, full agenda, name of presenters and workshop detaIls.

How does online registration work?

 This year we are asking the organizations fill out our YLI 2024 Interest form to confirm attendance to the conference. The spots you indicate on the interest form will be held for you. Official registration via the Whova app will happen in July 2024. 

Do I have access to all of the sessions?

In a word, yes! You will be given the opportunity to select which sessions you’d like to attend. It is up to you to decide which sessions interest you in a given time block and to attend those sessions as desired.

What platforms will YLI be using this year?

YLI will be using Whova & The NEYON Website for a majority of our communications for the conference in addition to emails. Please make sure to download the Whova app on your mobile device to make sure you can access all of the conference content.  NEYON will also be launching a Slack space with a YLI channel included. Questions can be asked on the channel regardingYLI!

How can I access interpretation?

We will be asking for interpretation and other accommodation needs at the time of registration. This year YLI will be providing Spanish/English interpretation for attendees and some sessions may be facilitated in Spanish. If you require interpretation for any other languages please reach out to cycle_youth@rwu.edu

Will YLI capture videos and pictures?

We will be capturing videos and pictures at YLI 2024. We will require that all participants both youth and adults, sign a photo release form. If you are under the age of 18 you will need to have a parent sign on your behalf. You will also be able to post your own pictures and videos via the Whova app!

Contacts

If you have questions about YLI registration or any logistics please contact Catalina Perez at cperez@rwu.edu or Vianna Mercedes at vmercedes@rwu.edu

YLI Planning Team 2024

Michellet Rojas-Brand
NEYON Communications Fellow
Michellet Rojas-Brand (they/he/she), preferably MJ, is a youth organizer for Providence Student Union in Education Reform in Providence, Rhode Island. Completing their alumni year at PSU, MJ is currently working on youth programs and engagement opportunities. They’re also an advocate for "Counselors Not Cops" and Ethnic Studies in Providence. As a Communication Fellow, MJ will be focusing on being a social media coordinator and content creator. MJ enjoys exploring and hanging out with her friends. They also enjoy music, eating, and trying new things.
Demi Egunjobi
Youth Planning Team Member
Oluwademilade "Demi" Favor Egunjobi (She/Her/Hers) is the Leadership Team Co-Director at Providence Student Union in Providence, RI. She is passionate about civic engagement, education policy, advocacy, and uplifting the voices of her community. This is Demi's second year on YPT, and she is excited to work with other youth organizers and watch the conference come together.
Blaise Vilakazi
Youth Planning Team Member
Hi, my name is Blaise Vilakazi. I am a senior at Casco Bay High School in Portland, ME and soon to be an undergrad at SMCC majoring in cybersecurity. What I love the most about Youth Engagement Partners at Portland Empowered is the fact that we get to connect with youth from different high schools and different lived experiences, and use these differences to make a change in our school district.
Rodas Kahasay
Youth Planning Team Member
Hello, my name is Rodas, and I am currently a sophomore in high school living in Portland, Maine. I work with MYAN and am a proud member of the YPT this year! I am part of MYAN's youth grant council, which was able to fund upcoming and small organizations to grow on topics that meant a lot to me and my group, including mental health, racial justice, climate change, and much more! Not only that, but I also work with a bunch of other organizations within my state to help create change around my community, especially regarding the topic of racial awareness. I first attended YLI last year and loved it; I can’t wait to be planning it this year! I love discussing difficult topics and spreading change within my community, making youth involved and taking action. Some other things about me are: I love music, Frank Ocean is my favorite artist, I love the color green, and I enjoy reading and hanging out with friends!
Yokairi Montero
Youth Planning Team Member
Hello everyone, my name is Yokairi Montero. I am 16 years old and I was born in the Dominican Republic. One of the things I like most is defending the rights of undocumented immigrants and I do so by being a leading member of the Danbury region of CT Students for Dream.
Ciara Martinez
Youth Planning Team Member
Hey! Hola! I'm Ciara, but you can call me Cam. I’m a Afro-Latina woman, a Junior at a high school in Worcester, Massachusetts. I'm excited to be a part of the YCU program and the newest member of YPT this year! After attending YLI last year, I'm thrilled to be involved in planning it this year. In my organization , we’re always eager to explore new topics. Whether it's fresh conversations or brainstorming creative strategies, we are always committed to spreading awareness and making a positive impact in any way we can. and i’m so glad it created the person i am today. A few things about me: I adore music, the color green and tan, reading, drawing, hanging out with friends, and of course, spending time with my beloved dog Noah. He's my pride and joy! I'm all about spreading joy, love, and advocating for important causes.
Janaai John
Youth Planning Team Member
Hey, it’s nice to meet you. My name is Janaai John. I am a Senior who attends both New Britain Highschool, and GHAA Half Day in CT. I am an entrepreneur who’s hosted workshops and events prior, and I love actively changing my community for the better. I also represent my organization, by the name of CT Students For A Dream! My favorite part about being a member of my group is that I advocate for undocumented immigrant rights, and learn life skills during the process. Thank you for reading my bio, I can’t wait to meet you 🫶🏽
Jojo Dasilveira
Youth Planning Team Member
Hi everyone! I'm Joseph, or you can call me Jojo. I'm a senior at E-cubed Academy taking college classes at the Community College of Rhode Island (Liston Campus) and apart of the Youth Planning Team! What I love about my organization Youth In Action is that I get to network with others and learn leadership skills by running and facilitating activities, and I have an amazing team of co-coordinators, supervisors, executive directors and board members who help and build their skills along the way and branch out our work to different investors/areas in the state of Rhode Island. We use our work to make a difference in our community emotionally, mentally and even physically!
Janeyah Madera
Youth Planning Team Member
Hey!! My names Janeyah I’m 16, and I’m a member of Pa’Lante Transformative Justice. I’m a youth organizer in my program and also get teachings about circle practice. I’m excited to be part of this years YPT’s because it’ll be a good opportunity to further develop my organizing skills and my ability to work collaboratively with others.
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