Build 2 Lead News

Investing in the Future of Build 2 Lead As our programs continue expanding, so does our need for mission-driven leaders. Join Our Team Build 2 Lead is currently hiring a: Restorative Practices Youth Training Specialist I This position will facilitate restorative practices training, healing-centered engagement, youth leadership development, and systems-change initiatives across South King County while supporting programs including Reaching for Greatness, Civic-Champions, and t

National Workforce & Career Readiness Experience This summer, Build 2 Lead launched one of our most ambitious workforce development experiences to date. Our inaugural Peaches & Possibilities National Exposure Experience provided young people with firsthand opportunities to explore higher education, healthcare careers, engineering, leadership, and professional pathways in Atlanta, Georgia. Throughout the week, participants visited: Morehouse College Morehouse School of Medicin

Closing the G.A.P. This year's Melanin & Medicine initiative demonstrated what happens when healthcare professionals, educators, community leaders, and young people come together to reduce barriers to health careers while advancing health equity. The newly released annual report showcases: Youth participation and engagement Career exposure opportunities Healthcare workforce partnerships Community wellness conversations Lessons learned Recommendations for future expansion Clos

Looking Back. Building Forward. Our newly released 2025 Annual Impact Report reflects another year of growth, innovation, and measurable community impact. The report highlights: Youth leadership development Workforce readiness initiatives Civic engagement Health equity programming Community partnerships Organizational growth Stories directly from youth and families Beyond celebrating accomplishments, the report reinforces our commitment to continuous improvement and measurabl

Investing in Generational Greatness This spring and summer, help Build 2 Lead reach it's fundraising goal! Real change requires community investment and long-term partnership. Our newest campaign invites you to join a growing network of individuals, families, and organizations who believe in building pathways to generational greatness. Your support helps fund: Youth Executive Committee leadership stipends National Healthcare Exposure Trip (Atlanta) Mentorship and intern

A Workforce Pipeline Powered by Data, Access, and Representation Melanin & Medicine 2K26 was held on April 2nd and served as a strategic intervention into healthcare workforce inequities —combining exposure, mentorship, and applied learning. Demographic Profiles Total Youth Registered: 241 youth participants Grade Distribution: Sophomores: 68 Juniors: 62 Seniors: 51 Freshmen: 35 Middle School: 25 Insight: Strong engagement during critical career decision years Race/Ethnicity

From Programs to Systems Change This quarter marks a powerful shift from program delivery to systems-level impact . Through our Youth Executive Committee (Y.E.C.) , we are elevating youth voice into leadership—empowering young people to design and lead community campaigns, policy conversations, and civic engagement efforts. Our P.O.W.E.R Initiative continues to transform how systems engage with community: Moving BIPOC communities from participants → decision-makers Building

A Digital Home for Pathways, Power, and Partnership Build 2 Lead’s new website is LIVE—designed to reflect the full ecosystem of our work and expand access for youth, families, partners, and funders. Key Areas to Explore: Pathways to Success Framework – Clear alignment across Civic Leadership, Workforce, and Health Equity Program Pipelines – From middle school → leadership → workforce pathways Data & Impact – Outcomes, KPIs, and youth success indicators Partnership Ecosyst

Build 2 Lead's mission is to EMPOWER , ENGAGE , and EDUCATE! We partner with BIPOC youth, their families, and their communities – to lift collective skills and social capital – to influence systemic change. As we continue to live out our mission, we are aware of our position. Through our work we have built real relationships with our communities, impacted students, and are on the verge of co-creating generational change through amazing community and institutional partners

It’s Almost Time—Our Programs launch January 12, 2026! Build 2 Lead is excited to announce that all of our programs will officially launch on Monday, January 12, 2026 across our partner schools and community sites throughout South King County! This launch marks 6 years of us living out our collective mission to empower youth, families, and communities to lead with purpose, heal with intention, and build systems that work for everyone. Upcoming events for families and partici

Youth Civic-Champions Town Hall & Internship Opportunities Build 2 Lead’s Youth Executive Committee (YEC) and Our Town Hall Partners Youth Representatives took center stage during our Youth Civic-Champions Town Hall , where young leaders facilitated dialogue with elected officials about equity, policy, and youth voice in local decision-making. Over 120 local community members and youth showed up and spoke truth to power. Special thank you to Council Member Girmay Zahilay fo

Our re-introduction of our Creating Generational Greatness event truly highlighted our youth’s excellence! It was truly EPIC! The energy was electric as youth and community partners gathered for our annual Creating Generational Greatness (CGG) Conference — a day of inspiration, connection, and empowerment.Held on Saturday, October 11th the theme and focus for this event was #elevateyourgreatness. At its core, Creating Generational Greatness is about: Removing Workforce Ba

In partnership with the Washington Bankers Association, Build 2 Lead will be holding 5 rounds of financial literacy basics workshops for youth. Students Learn: Learn to make smart financial goals and plan for generational wealth Learn to budget, build credit and protect their money Tap in to a community of peers and mentors Get connected to business and entrepreneurship opportunities through Build 2 Lead Here are some updates on the course so far: Currently we held two sessio

As we move into our 2nd organizational strategic plan we are looking for dedicated and committed professionals and community members who would like to join Build 2 Lead’s board. Our open board positions are: Board Co-Chair (Minimum 2-year commitment) Board Treasurer (Minimum 2-year commitment) Board Secretary/Admin (Minimum 1-year commitment) Board Voting Member-General Seat (Minimum 1-year commitment) If you are passionate about helping the community, want to provide your

Build 2 Lead in excited to announce the Civic Champions Youth Town Hall, where students will have the opportunity to discuss important...

Build 2 Lead 2025-26 Fall Strategic Planning Meeting On August 25, 2025 , Build 2 Lead brought together staff, partners, and community leaders for our annual Fall Strategic Planning Meeting at the Family Life Center in Federal Way. Guided by Executive Director Jimmy Brown , the day was filled with reflection, collaboration, and bold visioning for the year ahead. Key Highlights: Dream Team Circle : We kicked off with a grounding check-in and partner introductions that reminde

Young entrepreneurs & professionals - It's time to ELEVATE YOUR GREATNESS! JOIN BUILD 2 LEAD TO CREATE GENERATIONAL GREATNESS This event...

We are excited to announce our newest program, Entreleadership: Financial Foundations! In partnership with the Washington Bankers...

In partnership with ROOTS of Success, Closing the G.A.P. provides students ages 16-24 with access to over 100 hours of work development...

We are excited to announce "Reaching for Greatness" will be held again this fall at Evergreen Middle School and Jennie Reed Elementary....