Memphis Youth Leadership Program

The Memphis Youth Leadership Program (MYLP) is an eight week pilot designed to be an interactive life skills program that would engage youth, ages 14-17, through learning and applied experience in workforce readiness.  The MYLP is a partnership between The Memphis Challenge, Inc. and The Memphis Regional Chamber in conjunction with the City of Memphis summer Youth Employment Program and business stakeholders. The program has been structured to provide Memphis area youth with opportunities for positive connections with family, peers, and community through a myriad of instructional methods such as, coping skills training, role-playing exercises, creative expression, speaker presentations, and experiential learning. 

The program, launched on June 3, 2008, enrolled 54 students which were organized into three cohorts. MLG&W, Cummins Foundation, and Smith and Nephew funded the three cohorts with additional support from The Women's Foundation for A Greater Memphis, ACCREDO Health, and Kemmons Wilson Family Foundation. Each cohort was facilitated by student coaches, Jamien Sills, Denise Thomas, and Marlon Ridley. Through differentiated coaching, the MYLP coaches successfully presented weekly topics including:

• Career Exploration
• Conflict Resolution
• Time and Money Management
• Business Etiquette
• Self-Esteem and Personal mage
• Effective Communication and Public Speaking
• Community Service
• Personal Responsibility/Character Development