Emerging Leaders Program

About the Program

The Emerging Leaders Program is the youth mentorship and leadership development initiative of Babel Institute. It is open to a select group of high school juniors and seniors from low-income communities who demonstrate academic promise and leadership potential but have limited access to the resources and networks that support college and career success.

Each Emerging Leader is paired with a dedicated mentor—a recent college graduate, young professional, or established leader—who provides one-on-one guidance throughout the academic year. Mentors support Emerging Leaders with academic development, leadership skills, and navigating the college and career pipeline.

    • Each Emerging Leader is matched with a mentor aligned to their academic interests and aspirations.

    • Mentors meet with Emerging Leaders regularly (monthly one-on-one sessions plus check-ins).

    • Together, Emerging Leaders and mentors set and track academic, career, and personal growth goals.

  • In addition to one-on-one mentorship, Emerging Leaders join monthly group sessions covering:

    • College admissions, scholarships, and financial aid navigation.

    • Career exploration across fields like STEM, business, arts, and public service.

    • Leadership development skills such as communication, networking, and teamwork.

  • Mentors guide Emerging Leaders through:

    • Writing personal statements, resumes, and scholarship essays.

    • Practicing interviews and building professional confidence.

    • Identifying leadership opportunities in school, community, and beyond.

    • Select Emerging Leaders, with mentor support, draft short opinion pieces or reflections for Verity, Babel’s global hub for youth voices.

    • Contributions can range from personal perspectives on leadership and education to community challenges they see in their own neighborhoods.

    • Publishing in Verity gives Emerging Leaders a real platform to share ideas globally, reinforcing Babel’s mission as a think tank that elevates diverse youth voices.

Program Structure

Capstone Project

Each Emerging Leader is offered the opportunity to participate in a Capstone Project as part of their mentorship experience.

With guidance from their mentor, each Emerging Leader identifies an issue in their community and develops a policy solution to address it. The project is submitted in the form of an essay.

A panel of reviewers evaluates all submissions, and the top three essays are awarded prizes:

First Place: $1,000

Second Place: $700

Third Place: $400

The top three winners also receive the opportunity to have their work edited and published in Verity.

Why Emerging Leaders Program?

Mentorship That Lasts: Each Emerging Leader has a dedicated mentor who invests personally in their growth.

Global Voice: Verity allows Emerging Leaders to step into the world of ideas and share their perspectives with readers worldwide.

College and Career Access: Emerging Leaders gain the tools to compete with peers from more privileged backgrounds.

Leadership Pipeline: The program nurtures Emerging Leaders who will be prepared not only for higher education but for active roles in civic and professional life.

Why We Do This:

Most private mentorship firms serve only families who can afford to pay thousands of dollars. Babel Institute is different. As a youth-focused nonprofit, we open the same doors of mentorship, leadership training, and professional exposure to students from low-income communities. And because we believe guidance and opportunity for youth should never carry a price tag, our program is free of charge—ensuring that potential, not wealth, determines the opportunities available to them.

Voluntary donations to support our work are welcome but never required.

Our Commitment

The Emerging Leaders Program represents Babel Institute’s belief that young people are essential partners in shaping the future. By investing in their education, leadership, and career development, Babel is preparing the next generation of thinkers, leaders, and change-makers.

Application Process & Admission

Applications for the Emerging Leaders Program open on November 1, 2025. For general inquiries, please contact us at info@babelinstitute.us