The mission of the Tavis Smiley Foundation is to enlighten, encourage and empower youth by providing leadership skills that will promote the quality of life for themselves, their communities and our world.
Since its inception more than 5,000 youth ages 13 to 18 have participated in the foundations leadership training workshops and conferences. Many teens in the program have entered and completed college, organized health fairs and voter registration drivers, conducted teen town hall meetings, started businesses and interned with city mayors and presidential candidates.
ALUMNI IN ACTION UPDATE
Anthony A. Phillips, a native of Philadelphia, and a junior at Bates College has been selected by the Institute for Responsible Citizenship to participate in its summer leadership program in Washington, D.C. Anthony joined the Youth to Leaders program when he was 14 and is co-founder of Youth Action, a youth-led non-profit organization in Philadelphia. Read more about Anthony.
MEET A LEADER
Aubrey Fontenot, 17, of Cypress, Texas attended the Leadership Institute in 2006 and now this dynamic young leader is making his way in the business world. Read his story on his passion for wearable art. If you are an alum or a teen who is an outstanding leader, you can be featured in section too. Drop us a line and tell us how you're changing the world. Send to y2l@tavistalks.com. Put Meet a Leader in the subject line.
See highlights from the 2007 Leadership Institute.
Watch the entire highlights video from the 2007 Leadership Institute: View
NATIONAL YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL NEWS
Meet the 13 members of the National Youth Advisory Council who are ready to change to change the world! Click here.
Resource: Helpful links about available scholarships Click here for more information.
YOUTH OPPORTUNITY
Leadership Institute Registration Closed
Are you ready to make positive change in your community? If so, the Tavis Smiley Foundation wants you to apply for admission to the 2008 Leadership Institute scheduled for August 14-18 on the campus of UCLA in Los Angeles.
We're bringing the Institute home to sunny California this year, so pack your bags and get ready to head West!
Teens will have a chance to meet more than 200 fellow delegates from across the United States for five days of training on leadership, youth advocacy, volunteerism and civic engagement.
The sessions will include a Teen Town Hall moderated by Tavis Smiley, a community service project, a mock election, and special sessions led by Dr. Cornel West. Teens will have a chance to win prizes in the team project competition. Last year's conference included delegates representing 22 states. The Leadership Institute is an experience young leaders never forget!
The cost is $500 and includes housing, meals, and all conference workshops. We have no scholarships available.
The mission of the Tavis Smiley Foundation is to enlighten, encourage and empower youth by providing leadership skills that will promote the quality of life for themselves, their communities and our world.
Anthony A. Phillips, a native of Philadelphia, and a junior at Bates College has been selected by the Institute for Responsible Citizenship to participate in its summer leadership program in Washington, D.C. Anthony joined the Youth to Leaders program when he was 14 and is co-founder of Youth Action, a youth-led non-profit organization in Philadelphia. 
Aubrey Fontenot, 17, of Cypress, Texas attended the Leadership Institute in 2006 and now this dynamic young leader is making his way in the business world. 