Youth Leadership Conference (YLC)
What is the YLC?
The SPSC's annual Youth Leadership Conference is aimed at empowering students to define what leadership means to them, and to envision ways to take their ideas forward, blending purpose with insight and action. By the end of the conference, participants will have developed a community among peers and Harvard students that can support them in becoming agents of change within their communities. YLC also acknowledges that not all students in the Greater Boston community, across lines of race, gender, socioeconomic status, ability, and other differences have the same opportunities to develop leadership skills or envision themselves as part of the Harvard or higher education communities. We are committed to ensuring that all students, regardless of their differences, have access to participate in YLC.
YLC 2023 had students representing over a dozen schools, and opportunities to:
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Hear MA Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell reflect on public leadership
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Participate in workshops facilitated by students of HKS and the Harvard Graduate School of Education
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Explore the Harvard University campus on a guided tour
YLC 2024 planning will begin with the 2023-2024 academic year, and tentatively take place during April 2024.
YLC will be held at Harvard Kennedy School (HKS), located in Harvard Square at
79 John F. Kennedy St, Cambridge, MA 02138
HKS is located just outside the Harvard MBTA stop, so it can be easily accessible by public transit via Redline and the following bus lines: 1, 66, 68, 69, 71, 73, 74, 75, 77, 78, 86, 96
Walking from Harvard Square Subway Station
The Kennedy School is a quick walk from Harvard Square Station. Take the Church Street exit and turn left on Church Street. Turn right on Brattle Street and left on Story Street.
Getting to YLC
Keynote Speaker: Andrea Joy Campbell, MA Attorney General
As Massachusetts' Attorney General, Andrea Joy Campbell serves as the "People's Lawyer," representing the interests of all the state's residents in impactful legal cases and advocating for policies that ensure their safety and well being. Since taking her post in January, AG Campbell has focused on holding the powerful accountable, creating economic prosperity and stability for families, and centering the mental health and well-being of young people. Prior to her role as AG, Campbell served as a Boston City Councillor, representing Boston's Dorchester, Mattapan, Jamaica Plain, and Roslindale neighborhoods.
Who participates?
Here is a glimpse of what the 2021 cohort looked like:
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76 total participants between 9th and 12th grade (around 50% juniors, 25% sophomores, and a handful for freshman and seniors).
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Students came from around 30 different local public high schools.
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Around half would be the first person in their family to attend college in the U.S.
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Around 30 percent were first-generation immigrants.
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Around 55 percent female, 45 percent male.
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37 percent Black/African American, 24 percent Latin/Hispanic, 14 percent White, 13 percent Asian, 5 percent Middle Eastern/North African, 3 percent Caribbean.
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More than 10 percent LGBTQ+ students
Our request to you:
Please save-the-date and begin to generate interest from high school students, with a focus on juniors and seniors. We will contact you in the future with specific details for prospective participants
Who we are
The YLC is a part of the Student Public Service Collaborative (SPSC) which is a graduate-student run organization sponsored by the Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) that seeks to actively engage in outreach within the local communities to encourage service to others through charity & volunteerism. The YLC specifically seeks to promote engagement with all youth throughout the area to help encourage informed life decisions and help them to see the many benefits and joys of a service to others.