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 2024-2025 class is comprised of 43 students from 22 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.
Tyson Aguillard
Ramsay High School
Walter Anderson
Spring Valley School
Thomas Armstrong
Mountain Brook High School
Lexie Beard
Spain Park High School
Josie Butler
Indian Springs School
Michael Clemon Johnson
Hoover High School
Maurkia Craig
Center Point High School
Forrest Crawford
Indian Springs School
Mae Dapkus
Mountain Brook High School
Ousmane Diallo
Jackson Olin High School
Messiah Dunn
Midfield High School
Morgan Durant
Jefferson County IB School
Kieran Ford
John Carroll Catholic High School
Thomas Ford
Hoover High School
Maria George
Gardendale High School
Brayden Hamilton
Hoover High School
Cole Heninger
Vestavia Hills High School
Dinah Henkin
Alabama School of Fine Arts
Matthew Hess
Briarwood Christian School
Campbell Hughey
The Altamont School
Jack Hugunine
Vestavia Hills High School
Zahid Issa
The Altamont School
Annie Ledvina
Jefferson County Virtual Academy
Violet Levine
Indian Springs School
Lua Markert
Indian Springs School
Molly Mathew
The Altamont School
Myla Morrow
Spring Valley School
Leah Nash
Vestavia Hills High School
Emory Nichols
Mortimer Jordan High School
Sofia Nunez
JCIB
Jaxon Oden
Corner High School
Berkeley Owens
The Altamont School
Taylor Parvin
Mortimer Jordan High School
Janiyah Patrick
Midfield High School
Akshaya Peddi
Spain Park High School
Lael Ponder
Alabama School of Fine Arts
Cameron Rayford
McAdory High School
Namira Rubaiyath
Vestavia Hills High School
Tyler Steele
Hewitt Trussville High School
Kennadi Sullen
The Altamont School
Chloe Wagener
Hoover High School
Callen Willis
Vestavia Hills High School
Khari Yellock
Parker 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.
