MindSpring Emerging Leaders Development Initiative
Donation protected
Unleashing America's Greatest Power. Young People!
We are at a critical inflection point in history. The country is facing a moral crisis and seemingly a cultural war against principles that have carried us for hundreds of years. We have veered away from our moral center and our value system. Structural barriers and cultural biases prevent the sectors of politics, industry, civil society and academia from working together as they should and need to. In place of cooperation there is mutual indifference and, in some cases, even antipathy.
75% of Americans either distrust our leaders or believe that those in leadership positions are incompetent.
We need to re-think how we identify leaders…. both in name and in practice. Normalcy will only be restored when we have leaders who engage in high moral and ethical principles. We need new leaders. White leaders, black leaders, brown leaders and every shade in between. Women and LGBTQ leaders.
The challenge of integrating young people into key strategic leadership roles has more to do with the mistrust and greed of leaders who refuse to allow young people to lead and be part of decision-making processes. As a result of suppressing the enthusiasm and energy of young people who want to lead, a dysfunctional and destructive culture of leadership is prevailing. This toxic culture must be dispelled if we are serious about America’s leadership role in the world.
Let’s make OUR communities great again! Let’s support and encourage young people to develop their leadership skills, grow as leaders and advance effective leadership ideals to accomplish that goal.
"Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek." ----Barack Obama
And this is the inspiration behind the creation of MindSpring Emerging Leaders Development Initiative.
It’s a 5-year, non-degreed, tuition free, national leadership development program designed to cultivate the next generation of leaders. The main idea behind the initiative is that there needs to be a method; a disciplined process for developing elite leaders comparable to the process we use to develop our elite Olympic athletes.
MindSpring trains, develops, mentors, and tracks participants from the moment they enter into the program---all the way through completion of the program---in the same manner an Olympic coach trains and develops an elite Olympic athlete.
We build their confidence, character, and leadership skills; broaden and deepen their knowledge; encourage meaningful engagement around advocacy for social justice and good governance; and engage participation in the political processes and social-economics affairs that supports and strengthen the fabric of their communities, democracy and the democratic processes.
"The ones who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones that do." --- Anonymous
We are Changemakers. We are building the first and only NATIONAL NETWORK of YOUNG EMERGING LEADERS in every major city, in every state in this country. For young people. Led by young people. Where young people work collaboratively, discussing issues, resolve problems, and engage others in the process.
MindSpring is currently soliciting early phase funding to scale up and execute the work that supports our strategic priorities. Give a little.
Give a lot if you can. Give often and continue to give until we reach our goal.
Take the time to talk to your family, friends, classmates, church family, teachers, and anyone and everyone in your sphere—explain to them why this is so important and why you believe in it.
Thank you!
"Unleashing America's Greatest Power. Young People!"
MindSpring Emerging Leaders Development Initiative
Our Story
This past year, we saw young people take center stage through demonstrations on gun control, education equality, mental health, and climate change issues. They have shown both the courage and tenaciousness that should demand respect from our current leaders and from each of us. But far too often, any activity that engages young people are casually labeled as “youth leadership” and much too often treated as threats to stability rather than opportunities to harness their energy and enthusiasm. “Young people are our leaders of tomorrow” they’ve been told for years. But when does tomorrow get here?
It’s time to put their ideas into action, amplify their voices and ensure that their views inform and form our processes.
"The ones who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones that do." --- Anonymous
MindSpring Emerging Leaders Development Initiative is a 5-year, tuition-free, non-degreed, national leadership development program designed to cultivate a new generation of transformative leaders. The program is for young people and led by young people. Teaching them the skills---discipline, tenacity, empathy, respect, active listening and critical thinking skills----needed to succeed as transformative leaders.
Because we believe that it’s just easier to shape a child than it is to rebuild an adult---we begin the training and developing process at an early age. Training at an early age is also critical to their development.
MindSpring believes that there needs to be a deliberate method; a disciplined process for developing these young leaders. A method comparable to the processes used to develop our Olympic athletes and other elite athletes.
Participating in a structured training process has produced some of the greatest athletes to ever play any sport---so why haven’t we adopted this approach to train leaders? In our view, it is negligible not to do so. Process matters.
Each cohort class consist of 25 students that are selected through partnerships with independent public-school districts, private and charter schools. Candidates are also selected through verbal nominations and/or written letters of recommendation from parents, teachers, peers and other leaders.
Participants are included on the Management Team and Advisory Board and share in the decision-making processes at every level of the organization to illustrate and reinforce their value as an asset to the organization as well as to gain leadership experience. Great leaders are made by great groups and by organizations that create the social architecture of respect and dignity. Character matters. Character is destiny.
MindSpring’s management team bring deep and wide-ranging expertise to the organization. We blend visionary thinking with a history of industry specific expertise, drawn from decades of experiences and knowledge gained at the highest level of management in education, business, government, judiciary, and entrepreneurship.
Our Advisory Board/Mentors are composed of some of the most renowned and respected political leaders, judicial leaders, religious leaders, business and entrepreneurial thought leaders from around the country. All committed to sharing knowledge and insights from their varied backgrounds and experiences to help shape MindSpring's mission, strategy, curriculums and instruction and most importantly----the next generation of young, transformational leaders.
Play Big!
“There is no passion to be found playing small---in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.” – Nelson Mandela
MindSpring will launch in Houston, TX in the fall of 2019 and plans are to aggressively grow MindSpring’s footprint in 15 major cities across the US by 2023.
The need is obvious. The Time is now. Your donations will allow us to be able to do the much needed work we do.
MindSpring Emerging Leaders Development Initiative is a 501 (C) (3) Non-Profit Organization and all donations are tax deductible. 100% of your donations will go directly to build our network app platform, the build out of core technology infrastructure at each site location, and administrative and operational costs.
Your contribution will help us to Unleash America’s Greatest Power!® Young People!
Donations can also be made by mail. Make checks payable to:
MindSpring Emerging Leaders Development Initiative
Forward to:
MindSpring Emerging Leaders Development Initiative
P.O. Box 941813
Houston, TX 77094
Thank you for your support!
www.mindspringeldi.com
We are at a critical inflection point in history. The country is facing a moral crisis and seemingly a cultural war against principles that have carried us for hundreds of years. We have veered away from our moral center and our value system. Structural barriers and cultural biases prevent the sectors of politics, industry, civil society and academia from working together as they should and need to. In place of cooperation there is mutual indifference and, in some cases, even antipathy.
75% of Americans either distrust our leaders or believe that those in leadership positions are incompetent.
We need to re-think how we identify leaders…. both in name and in practice. Normalcy will only be restored when we have leaders who engage in high moral and ethical principles. We need new leaders. White leaders, black leaders, brown leaders and every shade in between. Women and LGBTQ leaders.
The challenge of integrating young people into key strategic leadership roles has more to do with the mistrust and greed of leaders who refuse to allow young people to lead and be part of decision-making processes. As a result of suppressing the enthusiasm and energy of young people who want to lead, a dysfunctional and destructive culture of leadership is prevailing. This toxic culture must be dispelled if we are serious about America’s leadership role in the world.
Let’s make OUR communities great again! Let’s support and encourage young people to develop their leadership skills, grow as leaders and advance effective leadership ideals to accomplish that goal.
"Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek." ----Barack Obama
And this is the inspiration behind the creation of MindSpring Emerging Leaders Development Initiative.
It’s a 5-year, non-degreed, tuition free, national leadership development program designed to cultivate the next generation of leaders. The main idea behind the initiative is that there needs to be a method; a disciplined process for developing elite leaders comparable to the process we use to develop our elite Olympic athletes.
MindSpring trains, develops, mentors, and tracks participants from the moment they enter into the program---all the way through completion of the program---in the same manner an Olympic coach trains and develops an elite Olympic athlete.
We build their confidence, character, and leadership skills; broaden and deepen their knowledge; encourage meaningful engagement around advocacy for social justice and good governance; and engage participation in the political processes and social-economics affairs that supports and strengthen the fabric of their communities, democracy and the democratic processes.
"The ones who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones that do." --- Anonymous
We are Changemakers. We are building the first and only NATIONAL NETWORK of YOUNG EMERGING LEADERS in every major city, in every state in this country. For young people. Led by young people. Where young people work collaboratively, discussing issues, resolve problems, and engage others in the process.
MindSpring is currently soliciting early phase funding to scale up and execute the work that supports our strategic priorities. Give a little.
Give a lot if you can. Give often and continue to give until we reach our goal.
Take the time to talk to your family, friends, classmates, church family, teachers, and anyone and everyone in your sphere—explain to them why this is so important and why you believe in it.
Thank you!
"Unleashing America's Greatest Power. Young People!"
MindSpring Emerging Leaders Development Initiative
Our Story
This past year, we saw young people take center stage through demonstrations on gun control, education equality, mental health, and climate change issues. They have shown both the courage and tenaciousness that should demand respect from our current leaders and from each of us. But far too often, any activity that engages young people are casually labeled as “youth leadership” and much too often treated as threats to stability rather than opportunities to harness their energy and enthusiasm. “Young people are our leaders of tomorrow” they’ve been told for years. But when does tomorrow get here?
It’s time to put their ideas into action, amplify their voices and ensure that their views inform and form our processes.
"The ones who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones that do." --- Anonymous
MindSpring Emerging Leaders Development Initiative is a 5-year, tuition-free, non-degreed, national leadership development program designed to cultivate a new generation of transformative leaders. The program is for young people and led by young people. Teaching them the skills---discipline, tenacity, empathy, respect, active listening and critical thinking skills----needed to succeed as transformative leaders.
Because we believe that it’s just easier to shape a child than it is to rebuild an adult---we begin the training and developing process at an early age. Training at an early age is also critical to their development.
MindSpring believes that there needs to be a deliberate method; a disciplined process for developing these young leaders. A method comparable to the processes used to develop our Olympic athletes and other elite athletes.
Participating in a structured training process has produced some of the greatest athletes to ever play any sport---so why haven’t we adopted this approach to train leaders? In our view, it is negligible not to do so. Process matters.
Each cohort class consist of 25 students that are selected through partnerships with independent public-school districts, private and charter schools. Candidates are also selected through verbal nominations and/or written letters of recommendation from parents, teachers, peers and other leaders.
Participants are included on the Management Team and Advisory Board and share in the decision-making processes at every level of the organization to illustrate and reinforce their value as an asset to the organization as well as to gain leadership experience. Great leaders are made by great groups and by organizations that create the social architecture of respect and dignity. Character matters. Character is destiny.
MindSpring’s management team bring deep and wide-ranging expertise to the organization. We blend visionary thinking with a history of industry specific expertise, drawn from decades of experiences and knowledge gained at the highest level of management in education, business, government, judiciary, and entrepreneurship.
Our Advisory Board/Mentors are composed of some of the most renowned and respected political leaders, judicial leaders, religious leaders, business and entrepreneurial thought leaders from around the country. All committed to sharing knowledge and insights from their varied backgrounds and experiences to help shape MindSpring's mission, strategy, curriculums and instruction and most importantly----the next generation of young, transformational leaders.
Play Big!
“There is no passion to be found playing small---in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.” – Nelson Mandela
MindSpring will launch in Houston, TX in the fall of 2019 and plans are to aggressively grow MindSpring’s footprint in 15 major cities across the US by 2023.
The need is obvious. The Time is now. Your donations will allow us to be able to do the much needed work we do.
MindSpring Emerging Leaders Development Initiative is a 501 (C) (3) Non-Profit Organization and all donations are tax deductible. 100% of your donations will go directly to build our network app platform, the build out of core technology infrastructure at each site location, and administrative and operational costs.
Your contribution will help us to Unleash America’s Greatest Power!® Young People!
Donations can also be made by mail. Make checks payable to:
MindSpring Emerging Leaders Development Initiative
Forward to:
MindSpring Emerging Leaders Development Initiative
P.O. Box 941813
Houston, TX 77094
Thank you for your support!
www.mindspringeldi.com
Organizer
Mindspringeldi Williams
Organizer
Houston, TX