Takeiya Smith: We Are Ready to Train the Young Leaders of West Virginia

Social change has always been something I wanted to get involved in, but I wasn’t sure how to go about it.

I knew it took strong leaders to create change. But I used to believe the skill of leading was unattainable to people like me.

I didn’t think of myself as the image of leadership. I thought I was too young to be taken seriously, and had convinced myself that people would be uncomfortable with a woman in a position of strength.

I imagined that our leaders were always people with a certain amount of wealth, and I have never had that either.

But, more than anything, I thought my race would stand in the way, and I was afraid I would be discounted or ignored.

There were many reasons I gave myself as to why I could never be an effective leader, and they were all untrue. There is no one mold of what a leader should be.

As time has gone on I have learned that people like me can totally become great leaders and I try to work on that every day.

The Our Children, Our Future Summer Institute is being organized by young people from all over the state.

We are customizing it by molding the training to the exact needs and wants of young people in our journey to become the next generation of great leaders.

There will be youth-lead caucuses, improvement activities, media training and much more during this two-day event. This summer institute will build upon the skills you already have to make you a stronger and more strategic leader.

Let go of all the reasons you think that leadership isn’t for you, and join us. I’m so excited to connect with my peers who are creating their own path to leadership.

We want to hear from you! Follow this link to learn more and get involved!