Youth Empowerment Program (YEP) is a cohort for teens in high school that focuses on learning leadership skills, public speaking, and community engagement. The program has tier one scholars (first years) and tier two scholars (second year); Tier one focuses on leadership vision with an emphasis on self-discovery, along with identifying community issues, tier two focuses on forming a community action plan based off of their chosen community issues, implementing that plan, along with continuing in their leadership vision. 

Through the cohort, scholars learn to identify issues affecting their communities, along with develop and implement plans for positive youth-led change. YEP culminates in the Youth Empowerment Summit (YES) hosted and planned by the YEP scholars.

The Youth Empowerment Summit (YES) is an opportunity for YEP Scholars to present their findings to parents, friends, leaders, elected officials and other community stakeholders. The 2024 Youth Empowerment Summit is an opportunity for community members to hear from the YEP Scholars on their progress with addressing issues that plague our region. You are invited to hear the Scholars discuss their thoughts and ideas on Education Reform, Gun Violence, Sexual Education, and Diversity in Education.

This event is free for all participants. Lunch will be provided, please be sure to provide any food preferences before the registration deadline. Be sure to include an accurate headcount (along with any food preferences) so that we can cater this event accurately.

For questions regarding this YEP and this Summit, please contact Dwayne T. James at jamesdt@missouri.edu or 314-400-7391.