LeadersUp is a talent development accelerator and social enterprise that was founded to tackle high youth unemployment in America.
Since 2013, we have stood in the gap to bridge the divide between the untapped potential of at-risk young adults of color and the business challenge of finding and keeping the best talent.
Our Impact
More than 58,000 Served
Over 95% Persons of Color Served
Based on history, we can assume that without intervention post-COVID-19, the unemployment and disconnection rates among young adults of color will rise significantly as the labor market is flooded with dislocated workers.
3:1 Interview to Hire Ratio
This performance measure evaluates the effectiveness and efficiency of the hiring process for candidates, recruiters, hiring managers, and the hiring company.
Nearly $1B in Economic Impact
This talent performance measure evaluates the effectiveness and efficiency of the job search process for candidates and talent development partners. Each young adult generates an average ROI of $15,500.
Why We Exist
In the United States, there are currently 5.5 million young adults ages 16 to 24 who are unemployed and not in school. This pool of untapped multicultural talent, known as Opportunity Youth, is on one side of a widening divide that hurts America’s economy and communities.
Our People
We reflect the people we serve and align with people and organizations committed to diversity, equity and inclusion.
President & CEO
Jeffery T.D. Wallace
A visionary leader and social engineer, unites stakeholders around shared goals to achieve transformative change.
Robert M. Harris, Chairman, LeadersUp Board of Directors
Chairman, Founder and Global Strategist PMI, Stanley and Aladdin
“We have reached a tipping point in America whereby the majority of its citizens are reticent to settle for small gestures toward racial equity and social and economic justice. To evolve to being anti-racist in our views and practices requires bold moves and leadership to bring companies and our country to a new and better place.”
Jobseekers
We offer free professional development and coaching services to Opportunity Youth and young adults (up to age 30), and rapidly connect them to quality, demand-driven jobs and career pathways in high-growth sectors.
Employers
We help employers evolve their recruitment and retention strategies so young adult job seekers of color can access competency-based career pathways.
We partner with community-based, state and local workforce and higher education stakeholders to grow their skills development capacity and connect young people to opportunities in high-growth industries.