Member News

Harrisburg, PA (November 26, 2024) – On Wednesday, November 13th, Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of South-Central PA hosted over 200 youth at their 2nd Annual Youth Leadership Summit. Attending students represented 18 high schools from across the organization’s 7-county service region. 

Corey Dupree, Director of JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion) welcomed students saying, "In every one of you, I see a unique perspective, a bold idea, and an emerging leader ready to make a difference. This summit is your platform—a place to connect, learn, and create lasting impact in your communities." 

Dupree joined the BBBS of South-Central PA team in May, bringing experience in strategic development, event/project management, equitable sustainability practices, and fundraising strategies.

"My role as Director of JEDI is to ensure that every young person, regardless of background, has a voice and a space to be heard," says Dupree. "The commitment of our JEDI committee is to support initiatives like this summit, where we celebrate ideas and strengthen youth leadership."

Summit attendees represented four BBBS of South-Central PA programs:

• Beyond School Walls: A workforce development program that introduces high school students to professionals from area businesses, trades and higher education to inspire and prepare students for their future.
• High School Bigs: A school-based program that helps high school students develop leadership skills while they volunteer as mentors at nearby elementary and middle schools.
• Community-Based: The foundational Big Brothers Big Sisters one-to-one mentoring program that connects youth with caring adult mentors in the community.
• Bigs In Blue: A national initiative that introduces youth to active-duty law enforcement officers who serve as mentors, building friendships and opening lines of communication.

The summit gave students a unique opportunity to connect with their peers from other school districts and share personal experiences.

During breakout sessions, attendees engaged in open conversations with guest speakers about how to drive positive change, embrace their potential and build a more equitable world. The session presenters were Madonna Awotwi, African American Chamber of Commerce of Central PA; Lily Duarte-Evans, YWCA Carlisle & Cumberland County; Tiffiney Hall, PosiTiff; Dr. Marcellus C. Taylor, Partnership for Better Health; Angela Wiley, Members 1st Federal Credit Union; and Robert Wimer, PA Department of Corrections.

Keynote Speaker Dr. Khalid N. Mumin, the Pennsylvania Secretary of Education, urged students to stay true to their passions, reminding them that their voices matter and that they have the power to shape the future. Students asked Dr. Mumin questions about his journey into leadership roles, managing burnout and how high schoolers can be impactful in their communities and amongst their peers.

At lunchtime, students networked with area professionals and visited a resource fair with job and volunteer opportunities. With a focus on disruption and diversity, students were encouraged to initiate self-introductions and develop professional connections with the attending corporate representatives.

The culmination of the summit was the luncheon panels where students introduced speakers, shared pre-recorded opinions on each panel topic and joined the panelists on stage to ask thought-provoking questions. The first panel included Tara Davis of Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, Chris Franklin of Harlem Globetrotters and Blake Lynch of One+ Strategies. Student questions focused on leadership within politics and organizations. The second panel included Dr. Andrea Kolb of Pennon Education and Roxy Romeo of Power 99. Student questions focused on the topic of championing media as an educational platform.

"The summit is about amplifying the power of youth voice and leadership," says Dupree. "Youth voices bring fresh perspectives, challenge the status quo, and remind us of the world we’re building for future generations. When young people lead, they bring energy and vision, inspiring all of us to think bigger and do better." 

The 2nd Annual Youth Leadership Summit was made possible thanks to Presenting Sponsor The GIANT Company, Platinum Sponsor Unilever and Event Sponsor Capital Blue Cross.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of South-Central PA’s Beyond School Walls and High School Bigs programs are supported thanks to gifts made through the PA Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC). 

Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of South-Central PA (formerly Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region) creates and supports one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. For over 40 years, BBBS of South-Central PA has kept its promise by expertly crafting and maintaining compatible mentoring matches between Littles (youth) and Bigs (mature volunteers) in Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry & York counties. Our commitment includes using evidence-based best practices to achieve personalized outcomes and supporting matches throughout the relationship (one to ten years). Contributions in all forms are vital to fulfilling the agency’s mission. BBBS of South-Central PA is a 501(c)(3) charity, registered with the PA Bureau of Charities, and an affiliate of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. For more information, visit the BBBS of South-Central PA website at capbigs.org.