CREATEPass The Mic
This grant will support Legacy Youth Leadership’s Communication, Marketing, & Public Speaking Student Leadership Program, empowering 1,500 underserved high school students in Los Angeles to build essential communication and leadership skills. Through workshops, mentorship, and real-world application, students will learn to speak confidently, create impactful campaigns, and use their voices to drive change. The program “passes the mic” to young people because change begins when they feel seen, heard, and capable.
What is the primary issue area that your application will impact?
Youth economic advancement
In which areas of Los Angeles will you be directly working?
County of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a countywide benefit)
In what stage of innovation is this project, program, or initiative?
Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)
What is your understanding of the issue that you are seeking to address?
Students in underserved Los Angeles communities are often denied access to communication, marketing, and public speaking instruction—skills that are vital for academic achievement, career advancement, and civic engagement. Without these tools, students are less likely to express themselves clearly, advocate for issues they care about, or seize leadership opportunities. This lack of access contributes to systemic inequities and opportunity gaps. At Legacy Youth Leadership, we believe change begins when young people feel seen, heard, and capable. That’s why our program “passes the mic” to youth, equipping them with the tools to speak up, take action, and lead movements that matter to them.
Describe the project, program, or initiative this grant will support to address the issue.
The Communication, Marketing & Public Speaking Student Leadership Program will serve 1,500 high school students across Los Angeles County, primarily in South, Central, and East LA. The initiative includes three hands-on phases:
Instruction Phase: Interactive workshops in public speaking, digital storytelling, campaign messaging, and media literacy.
Mentorship Phase: One-on-one coaching from professionals in marketing and media.
Application Phase: Students lead real campaigns, deliver presentations, and produce digital content addressing community issues.
This model is proven to increase student confidence, leadership, and civic engagement, and is designed to be both scalable and sustainable.
Describe how Los Angeles County will be different if your work is successful.
This program will help catalyze a new generation of youth leaders who use their voices to drive real change. We’ll see more student-led initiatives, improved civic participation, and stronger representation from historically underserved communities. These students will enter college and careers not only with communication skills, but with the confidence to lead, organize, and influence systems. Schools will become incubators of youth leadership, and LA County will be more inclusive, engaged, and prepared for the future.
Approximately how many people will be impacted by this project, program, or initiative?
Direct Impact: 1,500
Indirect Impact: 100,000