Take Your Place in The Shift: Engage, Support, Participate (Vol. 1, No. 1)

By John “JR” Roberson

The Shift | Vol. 1, No. 1 – Building Youth Power

This Is LA’s Moment: Builders, Creators, Collaborators—Let’s Go!

LA is on the verge of something audacious—and this moment won’t wait. The city’s first-ever Economic Empowerment Policy Agenda is about to drop. As someone who loves building things (LEGO projects off the clock, cross-sector momentum at work), this is the kind of movement that gets creative minds fired up—because we’re not just imagining change, we’re assembling it, one bold idea at a time.

This isn’t your everyday invite. It’s a backstage pass to co-design equity’s next chapter—for LA, by LA. For the first time, BIPOC youth, community leaders, and trailblazers take the mic and share their master plan. The future isn’t being decided for us—it’s being built with us. If you’ve ever felt that thrill of turning a creative vision into something tangible (whether a model city or a coalition), you’ll know exactly why this matters.

A Movement, Not a Meeting

This fall, LeadersUp and the Los Angeles Economic Empowerment Alliance (LAEEA) are launching a culture-shifting marathon—not just a sprint. For too long, opportunity in LA has been determined in side rooms. That’s done. We’re bringing together youth, business innovators, educators, and community leaders to blueprint our future, spotlighting every young Angeleno, one zip code at a time.

Stats are real: By 2030, LA will add 400,000+ jobs. Who gets them? Too many are still shut out—twice the unemployment rate for BIPOC youth, and fewer than 6 in 10 community college students crossing the bridge to careers. The system needs a rebuild, not just a repair. This is our chance to do it.

Policy Roundtable Series: Powering Equity in LA (Sept 30 – Oct 9, Virtual)

Our recent Policy Roundtable Series brought together diverse stakeholders, including funders, employers, skill providers, and young leaders, to have candid conversations about centering youth voices in economic empowerment. Across the first two sessions, participants emphasized that meaningful change happens when young adults, especially those from BIPOC communities, are recognized as co-creators in the policy process, not just participants.

Discussions surfaced several recurring themes: the urgent need for holistic support systems linking education, employment, and community resources; the transformational power of mentorship and social capital for overcoming systemic barriers; and the importance of accessible pathways from education to career, especially through hands-on experiences like apprenticeships. Each roundtable spotlighted creative collaborations already in motion and revealed innovative ideas to close persistent gaps in information, navigation, and opportunity. Above all, these gatherings affirmed that authentic partnership—with youth voice at the center—will be the driver of our movement for equity and economic mobility in Los Angeles.

Looking ahead, the energy and insight from these sessions are fueling momentum for our LAEEA Launch Event, as our community continues to advance a bold agenda for systemic change.

Save the Date: November 4th LAEEA Launch Event

Mark your calendar! This is our album release moment, the big reveal where LA comes together to launch the youth-led Economic Empowerment Policy Agenda, celebrate emerging leaders, and issue action calls that flip the script on opportunity. Imagine saying, “I helped build that.” It’s better than the highlight reel—it’s the living, breathing movement.

A Note of Gratitude—With Room to Keep Dreaming

To every partner, funder, and leader: Your early support is the foundation for this leap forward. The only thing better than dreaming together? Building together. Thanks for bringing your spark—and your belief that a better LA is possible—not just in theory, but in every voice and every life lifted for real.

This isn’t a lineup of events. It’s the next chapter in LA’s story—where creators, connectors, and boundary-breakers like you and me set the pace.

Claim Your Seat | Save the Date: November 4th

With pride and anticipation (and a quick nod to my fellow builders and storytellers!),

Powering the Future: The Launch of LAEEA | November 4, 2025 | 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Register at bit.ly/laeealaunch

---

John “JR” Roberson is the Vice President of Stakeholder Engagement at LeadersUp, driving transformative partnerships and systemic workforce equity through cross-sector collaboration and policy influence.