Urban League of Broward County Youth Leaders Embark on Transformative Civic Engagement Journey to Washington, D.C.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Urban League of Broward County Youth Leaders Embark on Transformative Civic Engagement Journey to Washington, D.C.
BROWARD COUNTY, FL – June 5, 2026 – Ten youth leaders from the Urban League of Broward County’s Youth Leadership and Civic Engagement Program are preparing to embark on a life-changing journey to Washington, D.C., from June 4–6, 2026, where civic learning, leadership development, and firsthand exposure to the nation’s democratic institutions will come together in an unforgettable experience.
For many of these students, the trip marks more than a visit to the nation’s capital. It represents their first time traveling to Washington, D.C. and, for some, one of their first major travel experiences altogether. Through this immersive opportunity, students will step beyond textbooks and classrooms to experience leadership, history, and civic responsibility in real time.
The students are members of Broward County’s first-ever Youth Against Hate Task Force and also serve on the inaugural Youth Leadership and Civic Engagement Advisory Board, both established through the Urban League of Broward County’s Youth Leadership and Civic Engagement Program, formerly known as the Youth Hate Crime Education and Prevention Program.
The program is designed to educate and empower youth to prevent bias-related incidents, bullying, and violence within schools and communities while helping them understand how harmful attitudes and unchecked behaviors can escalate into hate crimes. Through workshops, leadership training, and community dialogue, participants learn how to recognize and respond to bias while promoting safer, more connected communities.
The students’ leadership roles extend beyond participation. The Youth Leadership and Civic Engagement Advisory Board serves as the program’s strategy and sustainability body, helping identify issues affecting youth, discussing community concerns, advising on solutions, and assisting with the planning of initiatives and events.
The Youth Against Hate Task Force serves as the program’s action and advocacy arm, carrying these efforts forward through peer leadership, awareness campaigns, community engagement, and advocacy within schools and neighborhoods.
Their upcoming journey to Washington represents the next chapter in that leadership development.
During the three-day civic engagement experience, students will visit the U.S. Capitol and the White House while engaging in educational discussions surrounding leadership, civil rights, public policy, and the role young people play in shaping communities and democracy.
A highlight of the experience will be face-to-face conversations with members of Congress, where students will discuss the importance of youth voice, civic responsibility, community safety, and strategies to confront hate and discrimination.
The experience is designed to connect local leadership with national impact, helping students understand how advocacy, policy, and public service intersect to create meaningful change.
“For many of these young leaders, this will be their first opportunity to see our nation’s capital and experience the institutions they have studied firsthand,” said Dr. Germaine Smith-Baugh, president and CEO for the Urban League of Broward. “This trip is about more than travel. It is about helping students recognize the power of their voices, their responsibility as leaders, and their ability to influence positive change in their schools and communities.”
The Urban League hopes the experience will inspire participants to continue serving as positive changemakers while reinforcing the values of unity, respect, civic engagement, and standing against hate in all forms.
As these students walk the halls of history and engage directly with leaders and institutions that shape the nation, they will return home not only with memories, but with renewed purpose, broader perspective, and an even deeper commitment to building stronger communities across Broward County.
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About the Urban League of Broward County
Urban League of Broward County is a mission-driven organization dedicated to advancing social and economic equity through comprehensive programs focused on education, entrepreneurship, workforce development, justice, housing, and health. Serving more than 14,000 individuals annually, the organization continues to build pathways to opportunity and lasting change across the communities it serves.
Media Contact:
Alica Brown
954-554-1332
abrown@ulbcfl.org