March 24, 2025
The YMCA of Rock River Valley aims to help boys and young men of color level up their leadership skills. After a successful first year, the Y is bringing back the Emerging Leaders Challenge for young men of color who are entering grades 9-12. The goal of the challenge is to create an environment to gain hands-on professional experience in executive leadership, marketing, finance, fund development and human resources.
The Emerging Leaders Challenge will take place June 16 to August 1. The deadline to apply is April 18. The challenge creates seasonal part-time positions for the participants, and the winning team will earn a project bonus. The leaders will shadow members of the YMCA executive leadership team and use the skills gained in weekly challenges. The summer will end with a final presentation at NIU Rockford to showcase what they learned, and the winning team will be named.
“The Y is committed to nurturing the potential of young men of color in our community,” said Brent Pentenburg, CEO, YMCA of Rock River Valley. “We were so impressed with the group of young men last year that we are eager to continue to offer this opportunity in 2025. By investing in the diverse gifts of these young men, we aim to create a more inclusive and dynamic leadership landscape for a brighter future.”
The 6-week leadership development challenge is part of the YMCA’s Boys and Young Men of Color (BYMOC) strategy, a national effort to build on, and invest in, pathways to success to help boys and young men of color reach their full potential. BYMOC programming focuses on education, college and career readiness, character development, belonging and community building, and health and well-being.
Young men of color entering grades 9-12, and who are at least 14 years of age, are encouraged to apply online at www.rockriverymca.org/employment. The Emerging Leaders Challenge is made possible with support from Nicor Gas and Healing IL.
