About Lideres

Mission

The National Council of La Raza (NCLR) Líderes Initiative is a national program created to advance opportunities for Latino Youth that will elevate their influence as leaders in the United States. Through a national network of high school and college students, as well as young professionals, Líderes identifies, supports and develops new leadership in the Latino community

Vision

Our goal is to raise up new leadership- corporate executives, public officials, activists, and organizers that will serve their communities and promote social justice at local and national levels.

About the Líderes Program

Nearly half of all Latinos in the United States are under the age of 25. Through the Líderes Initiative, NCLR is tapping into this vibrant source of leadership, proactively nurturing and developing the potential of a whole generation of Latinos.

NCLR Líderes supports hundreds of local and community-based programs, as well as campus-based student organizations that build skills of Latino youth and increase their leadership capacity. Moreover, the Líderes Network operates at a national level to link student groups and youth programs in 39 states. Currently, our network serves more than 600 groups by providing them with a wealth of information, resources, and networking opportunities.

Facilitating Resources and Building Coalitions

The Líderes Initiative provides students with information they need to organize, educate, and build up leadership in their communities. Via the Líderes website, all Líderes network members have access to a wealth of resources.

Líderes Congresos

To increase greater collaboration and networking, and to increase the collective impact of young Latinos, Líderes facilitates the convening of young leaders around the country.

At the regional level, Lideres brings together youth to discuss issues pertaining to the Latino community, connecting them to community leaders and resources. The Initiative partners with Network member organizations to access speakers, resources, and funds necessary to put on powerful events for young leaders. These events provide a forum for sharing ideas while at the same time educating, empowering, and energizing students.

Annual Lideres Summit

A core pillar of the Líderes Initiative provides an exciting and challenging leadership experience for young people. A component of the NCLR Annual Conference, the Summit brings together more than 450 students, activists, and young Latino leaders from across the country.

Líderes Summit activities build up young leaders, teaching youth how to work with one another in teams, and challenging them to think through tough issues affecting the Latino community. Moreover, the Summit provides a safe space for them to share their thoughts and opinions. Lastly, the Líderes Summit incorporates many NCLR Annual Conference events, allowing youth to partake in an invaluable networking experience.

The Líderes Network

The Líderes Network operates at a national level to support and strengthen programs and organizations serving Latino youth. Through our bi-monthly e-letter and official website, we link our groups to a wealth of valuable information. Feature articles highlight community issues, leadership and educational opportunities, civic engagement efforts, as well as the inspirational stories of bright young leaders in our communities.

Through both of these online tools, Líderes alerts young people plugged into the network about opportunities such as grants, scholarships, internships, fellowships, conferences, rallies, and networking events. Finally, students can search through our online database to connect with other Latino student programs and organizations.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I get on your mailing list?

   To join the NCLR Líderes mailing list/newsletter, please enter your email address in the box at the upper right of this page under the heading "Join Our Community."

2. How do I sign up my group?

   To register your group, click here and submit necessary information to process your request.

3. I have a new group; can you help us get started?

   The Líderes Initiative assists young Latino leaders with building their own organizations and institutions. We encourage you to search for and contact similar groups on our Groups page, and to contact us directly for individual assistance.

4. Do you have speakers that can come to our campus?

   NCLR staff often visit campuses to speak on a variety of issues. Additionally, we maintain a small list of "experts" on issues that may interest young Latino leaders. To discuss the invitation of a speaker to your campus or event, contact us.

5. How do I get my event/opportunity listed?

   To post an event, your group must be a registered member of the NCLR Líderes Network. Click here to register. If your group is already registered, you can login here.

6. Does NCLR provide internships?

   We offer internship opportunities throughout the year. Click here to download the application form. For more information about NCLR's areas of work, visit www.nclr.org.

7. Does NCLR offer scholarships?

   Unfortunately, NCLR does not offer scholarships, grants, or any other type of financial services to individual students. Instead, we try to make as much information about scholarships and other financial resources available through the opportunities section of this website. Please click here to visit our