Youth Leadership Birmingham (YLB) identifies and develops the next generation of engaged civic leaders through immersive experiences that bridge divides and tackle real community challenges.
Youth Leadership Birmingham
Mission
Grow into the leader you were born to be.
Youth Leadership Birmingham (YLB) is for high school sophomores and juniors who are dedicated to creating meaningful change in their community and the city we call home. Founded by visionary Leadership Birmingham alumni who recognized the need to cultivate young leaders, YLB creates transformative experiences by bringing together diverse student cohorts across Jefferson County for comprehensive leadership development – all at no cost to participants.
Since 1986, this flagship program of Leadership Birmingham – known as Youth Leadership Forum until 2025 – has equipped over 1,500 high school sophomores and juniors with the skills, connections, and deep understanding of local issues needed to drive positive change.
Current Class
The 2025-2026 class is comprised of 38 students from 20 schools across Jefferson County.
YLB Alumni
The first class of Youth Leadership Birmingham graduated in 1986. Today there are over 1,500 graduates of Youth Leadership Birmingham.
Melanie Anderson
Huffman High School
Helen Bishop
Vestavia Hills High School
Courtney Brewer
Huffman High School
Eli Brook
Indian Springs School
Adrian Chavez
JCIB High School
Summer Clark
Wenonah High School
Ashley Cox
Woodlawn High School
Ayani Dawkins
Ramsay High School
Denise Dixon
Carver High School
Adrea Frazier
Ramsay High School
Joshua Gable
McAdory High School
Lauren Glover
Indian Springs School
Madison Gonsoulin
JCIB High School
Madelyn Grant
Altamont School
Na'Miyah Griffin
Parker High School
Mia Hall
Alabama School of Fine Arts
Taj Johnson
Ramsay High School
Everett Kelly
Mountain Brook High School
Shanaya Lalani
Hoover High School
Isabella Lam
Hoover High School
Kahina Laouzai
JCIB High School
Andie Linton
Indian Springs School
Will Long
Mountain Brook High School
Keerthi Mallempati
Vestavia Hills High School
Marin McWilliams
Homewood High School
Elise Miles
Gardendale High School
Chauncey Nickerson
Alabama School of Fine Arts
Caitlin Pace
Mortimer Jordan High School
McLean Pitts
Altamont School
John Marshall Rathmell
Magic City Acceptance Academy
June Reeves
Homewood High School
Ethan Starks
Pleasant Grove High School
Arman Sultan
Altamont School
Zyion Williams
Mortimer Jordan High School
Ben Wilson
Fultondale High School
Zaria Winrow
Alabama School of Fine Arts
Harper Wolfe
Vestavia Hills High School
Azan Woods-Crenswhaw
Gardendale High School
Donate to YLB
Help empower the next generation of Birmingham leaders through Youth Leadership Birmingham. Your tax-deductible donation directly supports our mission of providing free, transformative leadership development to talented 10th and 11th grade students across our community. Whether through monetary gifts or in-kind contributions, your support ensures this vital program remains accessible to all.
Contact YLB Director Katherine Berdy at 205.252.4496 to learn more about making an impact.
