Driven by the passion and motivation to open doors for other Young Women throughout our nation, this organization works on making dreams possibilities, making dreams achievable, and promoting assertive action by young women in their twenties to take control of their lives and learn of the endless opportunities at their reach.

The 2007-2008 Steering Committee convened one last time in NYC this past weekend. Check out our first convening.

Talk about strong, talented leaders who are and will continue to advance progressive values and issues in communities across the nation...Chris, Vicente, Kevin, Ben, Emily, kYm, Jess, Tobi, Erin, Alex and Zach are such innovative, bold and exciting leaders.

I recieved a nomination not too many hours ago and I decided to check out the site, perhaps join, read about the fellowships program and write  a blog entry.

So a little about who I am... 

I am currently in Prague, Czech Republic with the Global Institute for Leadership and Civic Developement (I'll plug that here: http://www.globalleaders.info/). The purpose of the program is to develop leadership skills and understand what it truly it means to be a global citizen  (not to mention we also get to experience the gorgeous city of Prague!) There's about 40 students and we are from all over the world. I've only been here a week and it's an experiene unlike any other.

As the national party conventions approach, it is interesting to see how the media pushes and pulls the last two remaining Presidential nominees.

I was at the gym earlier this afternoon, working out beside a gentleman twice the size. Though superficially it may have seemed we had nothing in common other than our shared commitment to physical fitness, the most amazing thing happened between sets: we rested. For those of you who regularly go to the gym, this might already be common sense. Even one of my closest friends who earned the title Mr. Junior World Bronze (fyi: Arnold Schwarzenegger is Mr. World) takes time to rest in between sets. Likewise, in my yoga class, there is great emphasis on pranayama, the art of breathing, as well as taking the child's pose, which you are recommended to take anytime during class to recenter yourself. Now what does all this talk about exercise, bodybuilding, even yoga, have to do with leadership?

In my leadership studies at Baylor University in central Texas, I've come to notice that handling dissent can show how leaders fare in the face of adversity. A good leader not only knows themselves - their strengths, weaknesses, and tendencies - but also they know how to speak to those that may not agree with them.

Part of my recent experiences with this has been in challenging majority communities to see, recognize, and embrace the needs of the marginalized. For some communities, they include people of color or a different sexual orientation. While it is easiest to lead with a room full of committed supporters, the best leaders can look into the crowd for those with less enthusiasm and vigor to bring them on board.

As you consider what leadership looks like on your campus, I would encourage you to look past the planning, mobilizing, activism and busyness for the internal cause that drives your constant doing. The relationships you chose to develop versus those you wouldn't mind losing are a testament to your character. I strongly believe that a healthy dealing of dissent serves as mark of leadership genius. Being able to challenge differing ideas is not easy, and it should never be. Leaders must challenge people to lose a part of themselves that is not congruent with what they say - to match action with ideology is not impossible for those willing to put in the work.

In all, I wish you the very best of luck to you, change agents!

    Our very own Andrew Gillum, a Tallahassee City Commissioner,  and the founder and national director of Young Elected Officials (YEO), a partner of YP4 and  program of People for the American Way Foundation, has been nominated by IMPACT to become their 2007 Emerging Leader of the Year!  Show your support by voting for Andrew!      

Earlier this summer, I attended the Monster Diversity Leadership Program in Chicago. It was definitely an interesting experience.  

Join a community of folks like Ruben Vogt, a Young People 4 fellow who founded CYnergy Fellowship, and won the Brower Youth Award in 2006.

The Brower Youth Awards are looking for outstanding youth leaders.  People representing varied backgrounds, communities, and visions for environmental & social justice.  Individuals ages 13-22 with the power and persistence to create lasting change.  

The Brower Youth Awards honors six young people annually for their outstanding work in their communities.  Each winner is awarded $3000 and brought to the San Francisco Bay Area for a week of media and public outreach, leadership support, bonding with the other award recipients, and a scenic camping trip.  And to culminate the week's activities, the six individuals will receive their awards at a 900-person awards ceremony, followed by a public reception.

Past winners have protected Native sacred sites from development, restored wetlands in their communities, supported youth leadership development, coordinated student networks pushing for a clean energy future, and more.  Their impact doesn't stop there.  They continue as environmental & social change agents, writers, visionaries, and speakers, supported by Earth Island Institute's New Leaders Initiative.  Join them.  Apply today for the 2007 Brower Youth Award.  http://www.broweryouthaward.org

The two viable Democratic Senate candidates in Maryland's primary next Tuesday are US Rep Ben Cardin (Baltimore) and former US Rep and NAACP President Kwesi Mfume. Polls showed them running neck and neck all summer but now Cardin is pulling ahead with recent ads. Normally I'd support someone like Mfume who has headed a key organization like NAACP because of the practical experience that lends. However, if I were in MD I'd support Cardin. He has been an effective liberal legislator for two decades in the House, and has a lot of bipartisan support and influence. As a champion of candidates of color for higher office, I want to support Mfume a lot but something tells me we should go the practical route here. I can't seem to find much about what Mfume accomplished while he served in the House (was elected and began his first term at the same time as Cardin in 1987 but left in 1996 to head the NAACP). I also worry that if Mfume wins the primary nod, he may end up narrowly defeated by the popular Lt. Gov and GOP nominee Michael Steele. Any Mfume supporters out there who can show me the light??? I mean, Paul can you tell me what Mfume did for the NAACP that translate to a promising Senate career? I am dying to be proven wrong on all this. Anyone agree with me but for different reasons. That is a key race that no one seems to be watching. If Mfume wins we will automatically be able the first time in American history two African-Americans will serve in the upper chamber simultaneously.