Our Story

grandfather alone in front of perry elem

I founded YDI — the Youth Democracy Institute — to ensure leadership development isn’t left to chance, but built into a lifelong journey.

This work is deeply personal. I’m a mother, and the granddaughter of Charles Eugene Beatty, Sr., Michigan’s first Black principal and a co-architect of the Perry Preschool Project, which paved the way for Head Start. His legacy showed me that early, high-quality investment in young minds changes lives — but one critical gap remains: civic leadership development. While school prepares students academically, too often there’s no clear path to help them step up as leaders, engage in civic action, and shape their communities.

At YDI, we meet that gap with purpose. Our leadership pipeline evolves with young people as they grow in voice and vision:

NextGen Leadership Camp (ages 10–13) builds confidence and civic awareness through enrichment and field experiences.

Emerging Leaders Academy (ages 14–18) trains high school students in advocacy, public speaking, and service.

YDI Policy Academy (ages 19–24) equips young adults to analyze policy, organize, and lead.

We don’t just talk about change. We create it. Leaders start here.