LeadersUp Celebrates a Decade of Changing How America Works

LeadersUp traces its roots to a pivotal meeting between the current President and CEO, Jeffery Wallace, and the former CEO of Starbucks, Howard Schultz. With the backing of seed funding from Starbucks, the organization embarked on its mission of creating economic opportunities for BIPOC young adults. Today, LeadersUp proudly celebrates a decade of serving as a beacon of change, collaborating with over 200 companies, positively impacting the lives of more than 60,000 young people, and catalyzing nearly $1 billion in economic return, all while championing a more just and antiracist economy.

Reflecting on the journey, Jeffery Wallace, President and CEO of LeadersUp, remarked, “The past decade has shown us the incredible power of purpose and partnership. When we come together with a shared commitment to equity and opportunity, we can truly change the landscape of how America works.”

On May 31, LeadersUp hosted Equity Unleashed, at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, celebrating achievements and igniting excitement for the next decade. The event brought together influential leaders, employers, and community partners dedicated to nurturing the next generation of leaders for an inclusive workforce. LeadersUp honored Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas and Miguel Santana, President and CEO of California Community Foundation. The evening’s success was made possible in part by partners including Brotherhood Crusade, FOX Studios, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), Los Angeles Urban League, Mosaic Genius, Paramount Studios, Silicon Valley Community Foundation, California Community Foundation, (Brandy Chappel Hill) and Clark Construction.

Built on pillars of rigorous insight, informed experimentation, and radical imagination, LeadersUp operates as a catalyst for inclusive ecosystems, aiming to change how America works by prioritizing the voices of BIPOC young adults. As LeadersUp looks ahead to its next decade, the organization remains steadfast in its mission to change how America works by prioritizing the voices of BIPOC young adults.

“$1 billion dollars of impact is certainly significant, but it’s not the finish line,” says Jeffery Wallace, President and CEO of LeadersUp. “To truly transform our economy into one that works, we must shift practices and systems now, centering the voices and experiences of BIPOC young adults. Younger generations are the heartbeat of innovation, and by empowering them, we not only embrace progress but also cultivate a more inclusive economy for everyone.”

About LeadersUp: 

LeadersUp is a talent development accelerator and social enterprise that was founded to tackle high youth unemployment in America. Since 2013, the nonprofit has stood in the gap to bridge the divide between the untapped potential of at-risk young adults of color and the business challenge of finding and keeping the best talent. LeadersUp recognizes the barriers in place for diverse young adults who are the most adversely impacted by distress in the labor market, particularly during COVID-19. Through their advocacy and professional development tools, employers can transform their diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies into highly inclusive business practices. For more information about LeadersUp, visit www.leadersup.org and follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

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