ABOUT
Young Influencers are about IDENTITY, LEADERSHIP, & LEGACY:
- We help students discover who they are, grow in their faith, and develop real leadership skills so they graduate confident and prepared for life.
- This is where youth figure out who they are and become a leader—not later, but now.
- We build a pipeline of spiritually grounded, leadership-ready young people.
- We produce transformed, confident leaders.
The YIF was founded in 2019 and became a 501(c)(3) Non-profit organization in 2025.
OUR MISSION
To build a generation of transformational leaders now and for generations to come by equipping youth with faith, character, and practical leadership skills, and cultivating a lifelong community where they grow into purpose-driven leaders who influence their world and give back as mentors, role models, and changemakers through a legacy of service.
“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice.”
Proverbs 29:2a
OUR CORE VALUES
Excellence – Doing our best work. Striving for high standards and continuous improvement.
Teamwork – Collaborating effectively with others.
Love and Compassion – Treating others with kindness, empathy, and God’s love.
Faithfulness – Staying committed to our Christian beliefs.
Integrity – Living a life of moral uprightness.
Perseverance – Persisting through challenges and setbacks.
Service to Others – Focus on the well-being of others through charitable work.
OUR VISION
- Develop leadership skills.
- Apply what we have learned.
- Volunteer to help our communities.
- Collaborate with others to learn from their experience while sharing our capabilities so that all benefit from the encounter.
- Effectively minister to youth and adults through annual outreach and other events.
- Develop youth to use their gifts and talents to influence their world
- Develop YI merchandise to help support the vision.
- Establish a social media presence.
- Create engaging online programs that are influenced by the 7 pillars of Society.
- Establish additional Young Influencer leadership groups in other states and countries.
- Recruit new members who support our mission and vision.
- Acquire a building.
THE PROBLEM
Statistics indicate that young people participating in faith-based leadership programs report higher levels of civic engagement and leadership as they transition into adulthood.
In contrast, data suggest that youth involved in non-faith-based programs generally experience lower success rates than those in faith-based initiatives.
Research conducted by Education Northwest highlights that faith-based programs provide youth with a sense of purpose and community, which enhances their ability to overcome challenges and make positive life choices.
Furthermore, findings from the Brookings Institute indicate that faith involvement in leadership programs is a significant predictor of youth escaping poverty, crime, and other social challenges, making faith-based initiatives particularly effective in urban and high-risk areas.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the metro Detroit area has approximately 165,000 youth, of whom 30% (about 50,000) live in poverty. The high school dropout rate in Detroit stands at 23%. When including homeless youth, those with mental health issues, and those involved in criminal activity, it is estimated that 20-25% of youth in the metro Detroit area are considered at-risk. These figures represent young people who are currently not engaged in any leadership programs, highlighting the need for expanded efforts in leadership training initiatives.
THE SOLUTION
We are dedicated to training youth to be leaders who get involved in business, education, entertainment, community, government, media, and technology.
Our “Youth in Action” program is designed to train and develop leadership skills in areas such as communication, decision-making, strategic thinking, and team building. We focus on who they will become by knowing their identity, understanding who they are, and building their confidence early through personality and motivation assessments.
The program equips young people with the essential skills to overcome systemic obstacles and improve their life trajectories. Through various activities, volunteer opportunities, and community partnerships, participants will gain practical experience and make a positive impact.
Our program is a full journey. We want our young influencers not just to graduate but to come back to lead the next generation. We keep our alumni engaged through Alumni mentorship, Continued leadership opportunities, Community impact, and a college network for the upcoming youth in the program.
The “Youth in Action” Program will provide guest speaker series, service-learning projects, peer-led training, community service and outreach opportunities, and project-based learning.
WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT
IDENTITY. LEADERSHIP. LEGACY.
We are a faith-based program that turns unsure youth between the ages of 7-17 into confident, purpose-driven leaders. They graduate with a clear understanding of their identity, their strengths, and areas of improvement. We have an active mentorship pipeline by utilizing our alumni.
We don’t just train youth to be leaders; we also provide them with opportunities to positively impact society by actively engaging them in their communities and creating channels for peer influence.
