About Youth LEAD Georgia

Youth LEAD Georgia is designed to equip youth with the skills and knowledge necessary to be the future leaders of our state. Youth LEAD Georgia graduates will put their skills and knowledge into action and work together to tackle the challenges that impact Georgia’s future vitality.  

Through a partnership with Chick-fil-A, the Same House and the University of Georgia’s J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development, Youth LEAD Georgia aims to:

• Support youth in developing and improving leadership skills.
• Help youth explore opportunities and develop skills for success after high school.
• Enhance awareness and understanding of the challenges and opportunities of communities in Georgia.
• Build relationships across the state for young leaders to use as a future resource.
• Empower youth to become more involved in community issues.

Envisioned by Rodney Bullard, CEO of The Same House, and fellow Georgia business leader Fred Hicks, faculty at the UGA Fanning Institute have developed the programming and curriculum for Youth LEAD Georgia.

The program consists of four weekend retreats held in different communities across the state and a four-day summer bus tour. Each of the programs features different leadership skills building workshops complemented by experiential activities, in-depth dialogue on current issues and challenges facing Georgia, and opportunities to interact with prominent business and community leaders.

Each year, 30-40 high school students from all over Georgia will be selected through a nomination-application process to participate in Youth LEAD Georgia. Through a generous pledge from Chick-fil-A, there is no cost to the youth who are selected to participate in the program.

In addition to the four weekend programs and bus tour, Youth LEAD Georgia also hosts a summer Youth Leadership Summit, where youth from all of Georgia’s 159 counties will convene to identify and discuss the issues and opportunities facing Georgia’s youth. (Youth LEAD Georgia participants help with and serve as discussion leads during the summit.)

Youth LEAD Georgia also offers opportunities for participating youth to put their new knowledge and leadership skills into action. Thanks to a generous gift from Rodney Bullard, CEO of The Same House, Youth LEAD Georgia participants can apply to become Bullard Community Champions and tap financial resources to take on community service projects back in their local communities.

To learn more, contact us here.

Youth LEAD Georgia Partners