AFJ’s Leadership Council: Amplifying Youth Impact and Professional Development

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At Avenues for Justice (AFJ), we understand that equipping our Participants with hard skills is only part of the equation. We help them develop the confidence, communication and leadership skills that allow them to thrive long after their court mandates are resolved. In response to providing services to a record number of Court-Involved and At-Risk Participants in 2024, AFJ has doubled down on our commitment to mentorship, personal development, and youth empowerment. This week, we would like to spotlight AFJ’s Leadership Council which kicked off on Monday, April 14th.

The Leadership Council is an intensive 10-week leadership development workshop offered through our HIRE Up program. It is led by AFJ Teen Empowerment Workshop facilitator, Dennis Ibude, and co-facilitated by AFJ’s Court Advocate, Messiah Ferguson, who has a background in Organizational Management and Leadership. This workshop is designed to nurture a core group of Participants who have consistently demonstrated growth, maturity, and a readiness to lead.  

The cohort consists of five Participants who were nominated by an AFJ Court Advocate. The selection process was based on engagement, with each Participant having completed six or more HIRE Up sessions. The Leadership Council goals include the development of the following skills:

• Leadership & Public Speaking: Mastering storytelling, confidence-building, and persuasive communication.
• Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving: Tackling real-world case studies and decision-making scenarios.
• Social-Emotional Intelligence for Leadership: Building emotional regulation, empathy, and self-awareness as a foundation for leadership.
• Program Evaluation & Strategic Thinking: Learning how to give constructive feedback and assess program effectiveness.
• Representation & Advocacy: Centering identity, voice, and advocacy, empowering them as changemakers.
• Persuasive Communication & Debate: Practicing structured dialogue and defending one’s viewpoints.
• College & Career Exposure: Participating in college visits, leadership panels, and career readiness workshops.

 During the first two sessions, Participants reflected on their leadership styles and actively shaped their goals for the cohort. Dennis shared how the council is not just about learning, it’s about “contributing to AFJ’s legacy.” Beyond the workshops, Participants will have opportunities to take on more visible roles within AFJ such as participating in panels, advising on programming activities, co-facilitating workshops at our community centers, and contributing to AFJ’s communications.

Here’s what some of the Leadership Council Participants had to say about their ambitions and visions:

“My dream is to be and create change in the real world. I want to own my own business.” ~AFJ Participant Jason

“I want to be a role model that leads with power and determination. I joined the Leadership Council to change lives and to help others with their health.” ~AFJ Participant Mahkai

“I want to be a leader who takes care of my community. The values that I want to lead with are respect and accountability. I joined the Leadership Council because it is a good opportunity to create a system to help my community.” ~AFJ Participant Dashawn

“I want to lead with honesty and be someone that people can trust with their life. I joined the Leadership Council to inspire others to voice their concerns.” ~AFJ Participant Max

“I want to make money and stay off the street. I plan on showing a good path for everyone. I joined the Leadership Council to learn about leadership and be a good role model.” ~AFJ Participant Antonio

As AFJ evolves, we’re excited to get feedback from our young people about how we can continue to strengthen our programs. We also look forward to seeing the ripple effects of this Leadership Council on their peers, our work, and the communities we serve.