Expressive Leaders

Meet Our Expressive Leaders

Young people who use their public speaking skills to disrupt inequities and help people in their schools and local communities.

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Expressive Leaders Cohort

Meet Our Mentors

Through the Expressive Leaders program, we enrich public speaking experiences by supporting youth leaders who want to use their voices to inspire positive community change. We pair them with a mentor, help them identify an issue, guide them through project management, and share their work through our events.

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Expressive Leaders Mentors

*Mentors Not Pictured: Murtaza Ali, Maddie Berger, Ariel Chen, June Hu, Cristy Kountz, Genesis Velis

“In Expressive Leaders, The Practice Space helped me find my voice. They helped us become true leaders to inspire the lives of others in my community."

- Belén Islas

The Program

Every November, we select 5-10 young people from around the SF Bay Area, ages 10-16. Once selected, we partner them with mentors. We meet on a monthly basis (either in person or online). During these monthly sessions, we drive conversations, collaboration, and provide project management support. Throughout the program, we help leaders tailor and polish their public speaking and leadership skills. The program culminates in a public event to share their work. Expressive Leaders supports youth leadership, civic engagement, and advocacy, where youth facilitate important community conversations.

This program is only eligible for students in the Bay Area, although sessions are held online during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Example Projects Include:

  • Podcasts on education budget issues and pandemic experiences
  • YouTube channels to promote multigenerational conversations, connect over a love of cooking, and advocate for young voices
  • Youth-created clubs to teach activism, public speaking, debate, and STEM for girls
  • Youth-led events to showcase diverse youth voices

Become An Expressive Leader

To apply, send us a 3-5 minute video answering the following questions: 

  • Who are you, where do you live, and why are you interested in becoming an Expressive Leader?
  • Where do you see inequity or injustice in the world? What problem do you want to solve?
  • What kind of project interests you and how do you think it will help your community?

DEADLINE FOR VIDEO SUBMISSIONS: CLOSED for 2021-2022

Expressive Leaders must commit to meeting once a month on select Sundays, checking in with their mentor twice a month, and enacting a community action project over the course of one year."

Become a Mentor

To be considered as a mentor, send us a 3-5 minute video answering the following questions:

  • Who are you, where do you live, and why are you interested in becoming a mentor?
  • What are some examples of your previous work with youth?
  • How would you describe your approach to working with youth, guiding them through a project, and encouraging them to lead?

DEADLINE FOR VIDEO SUBMISSIONS: CLOSED for 2021-2022

Mentors receive a small stipend in appreciation of their hard work. Mentors must commit to meeting once a month for 3-4 hours on select Sundays and checking in with their student twice a month.

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