Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative

Overview

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Launched in 2015, the U.S. Department of State’s Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) empowers emerging business and social entrepreneurs from across Latin America, the Caribbean, Canada, and the United States, to realize the full economic potential of the region’s citizens. Combining an annual fellowship, an active online network, and continuing activities organized by U.S. Embassies and Consulates, YLAI fosters prosperity, inclusive development, and democratic values. Specifically, YLAI addresses the opportunity gap for young people, especially women, equipping them to transform their societies.

Since YLAI’s launch in 2015, 763 Fellows, including 369 women, from 36 countries, have been hosted by 729 U.S. companies and organizations, in 26 cities, across 23 states. The Presidential Precinct hosted 28 YLAI Fellows in three cohorts from 2016 – 2018.

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