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STEP UP TO LEADERSHIP  

Step Up to Leadership provides hands-on leadership training, social development workshops, and community service projects for youth and young adults across North Carolina. Join cohort programs in Mecklenburg and Cabarrus county.

3-Pillar

SUTL

Our pillars address the critical stages of development that shape outcomes for youth and families, leadership and identity, workforce readiness and financial stability, and family and community support, creating pathways for sustainable growth and generational impact.

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Family &
Community
Empowerment

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Youth &
Emerging
Leaders

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Workforce
& Economic
Mobility

Working With the Best Partners

SUTL

MISSION

Our Youth & Emerging Leaders pillar is designed to guide youth toward personal greatness. Through mentorship, exposure, and skill-building experiences, we help them discover who they are, what they’re capable of, and where they’re going. We don’t just prepare them for school, we prepare them for life, leadership, and legacy.

SUTL

OVERVIEW

Hightlight

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We are proud to partner with Scott Clark Toyota through their Scott Clark Accelerator for Leadership Education (SCALE) program. SCALE is a digital marketing internship for 11th and 12th grade students designed to create a team-based learning environment through hands-on activities and real-world business experience. Interns work directly with Scott Clark Toyota’s marketing professionals, gaining exposure to branding, strategy, and professional development. Through this partnership, SCALE interns helped design and reimagine the Step Up To Leadership van, giving it a fresh, visible look that reflects who we are and the communities we serve. We are grateful to Scott Clark Toyota and the amazing young people involved for investing in youth, leadership, and community impact. 🔗 Learn more: https://www.scottclarkscale.com/

WHO WE

SERVE

Our work supports young people navigating critical life stages, from middle and high school to college and early adulthood, many of whom are first-generation college-bound students, emerging leaders, and young men in need of consistent mentorship and positive exposure. We intentionally create space for young men who need structure, encouragement, and vision, as well as HBCU and local college students looking for community, accountability, and ongoing leadership support. At every level, we meet young people where they are and help them move forward with confidence, purpose, and clarity.

WHAT WE

OFFER

Through our flagship programs, we deliver intentional leadership experiences designed to build confidence, clarity, discipline, and direction in the lives of young people. Participants gain meaningful college and career exposure through campus visits, job-site tours, professional mentorship, and real-world insights that expand their perspective and elevate their vision for the future. Our Leadership Development Camps and Speaker Series provide high-impact workshops and immersive experiences that strengthen communication, self-confidence, emotional awareness, and leadership presence. These sessions are designed to challenge thinking, sharpen decision-making, and equip participants with tools they can apply immediately. We also offer first-generation college support, surrounding students with mentorship, resources, and a strong community that helps them not only access higher education, but thrive within it. For college students, our campus-based leadership programs bring coaching and development directly to HBCUs and local campuses through cohort-based models and peer-led engagement. In addition, our identity and purpose discovery experiences, including journaling, guided reflection, and group dialogue, empower young people to define who they are beyond their environment and circumstances, positioning them to step fully into their potential.

#STL

UP COMING EVENTS

#STL

PASS EVENTS

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Youth & Emerging Leaders 

 

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