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LBD

Leadership By Design

SummerUp

Summer Learning

SummerUp · Leadership

Leadership

Build Confidence. Build Influence. Build You.
by the Lifelong Leadership Institute

About this Course

Leadership is not something you wait to grow into—it’s something you begin practising now. This two-day summer workshop is designed for Black high school students who know that success is about more than grades. It’s about confidence, communication, values, and the ability to lead with purpose. Leadership is a journey, and this workshop is an early milestone that helps you build the mindset and skills to shape your future with intention.

Throughout the program, you’ll explore the essential soft skills that define responsible and effective leaders—skills like decision making, problem solving, accountability, creativity, and relationship-building. You’ll examine how values guide leadership choices, how identity and self-confidence shape your voice, and how social responsibility strengthens your impact on your school and community. You won’t just learn about leadership—you’ll practise it.

Through case studies, debates, team challenges, and a final pitch activity, you’ll work with peers to design a leadership initiative for your school and present your ideas with clarity and confidence. If you’re ready to grow, ready to lead, and ready to invest in your future, this workshop is your runway. Step up and discover how to build confidence, build influence, and build you.

Learning Outcomes & Takeaways

By the end of the workshop, students will be able to:

  • Identify and apply essential leadership soft skills, including communication, decision making, problem solving, and accountability.
  • Explain how personal values shape leadership choices, behaviours, and approaches to social responsibility.
  • Demonstrate increased self-confidence and awareness of identity as foundations for authentic leadership.
  • Analyze power dynamics and practise power literacy to navigate school, community, and team environments effectively.
  • Build strong, healthy relationships by practising collaboration, active listening, and community-minded leadership.
  • Engage in structured debate and inquiry, using curiosity to explore issues and articulate informed viewpoints.
  • Design and pitch a leadership initiative, working in teams to create a compelling case for a new student club or project at their school.

Your SummerUp Days: Day-by-Day

Subject to change.

Day 1 (Monday, August 24, 2026)

Morning

  • Exploration of essential leadership skills: How values shape leadership choices & practice.
  • Spotlight on Social Responsibility.

Afternoon

  • Identity and Self Confidence: Power Literacy, Accountability & Decision Making.
  • Reflection

Day 2 (Tuesday, August 25, 2026)

Morning

  • Relationships and Community (Research exercise and team discussions)
  • The Curiosity Debates – Researching and debating important issues of the day.

Afternoon

  • A Framework for Leadership Practise at School and in the Community: Teams will build a case for a specific leadership initiative and pitch their ideas
  • Reflection

Technical Requirements & General Information

  1. The Lifelong Leadership Institute (LLI) presents this course as part of our commitment to expanding access to transformative learning experiences for Black youth—experiences that have too often been limited by historical inequities. We aim to nurture the talents, ambitions, and leadership potential that Black youth possess while ensuring they have full access to the skills and opportunities that drive future success. This workshop enables students to explore and practise important leadership skills.
  2. Because this is a fast-paced, two-day learning experience, only students who can commit to attending and fully participating should apply.
  3. The course emphasizes interactive, hands-on, and experiential learning. Students are expected to participate actively in discussions, collaborate with peers, and complete in-class assignments.
  4. Students must have access to a suitable laptop computer with presentation software installed (e.g. Microsoft PowerPoint, Canva) for the duration of the workshop. Tablets and smartphones are not sufficient for the technical activities planned.
  5. Parent’s Role: Parents or legal guardians are responsible for ensuring students arrive and depart the venue safely and on time, and for providing lunch.
Course Instructor

To be announced

Course Snapshot

Status: Applications closed
Dates
Monday, August 24, 2026 (9:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.)
Tuesday, August 25, 2026 (9:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.)
Daily Schedule
9:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Attendance will be taken around 9:20 a.m. each day.
Mode
In-person
Venue
Toronto location. (TBA)
Duration
2 days
Instructional Leader
Leadership by Design Team
Fee
No charge.
Lunch
A forty-minute lunch break is scheduled. Lunch is not provided by the LBD program. Students are welcome to bring a packed lunch.
Equipment
A reliable laptop is required.
Certificate
No.
Who Should Apply
  • We invite applications from Leadership by Design (LBD) students, who will be in Grade 12 (C24) or Grade 11 (C25) in September 2026. LBD C23 may also participate.
  • Other Black students who are not in the Leadership by Design program may apply if they will be enrolled in any of Grades 10, 11 or 12 in September 2026. They should have the required academic qualifications.
Important

In the 2026-27 academic year, the Leadership by Design program will make this workshop mandatory for all C25 and C26 students.

This course is a prerequisite for the subsequent leadership course titled Leadership – Relationships Matter, which is scheduled for August 26–27.

Apply only if you can commit to attending all scheduled days of this in-person workshop.

Go to Application Form
We admit eligible applicants on a rolling, space-available basis. Act to submit your application as soon as possible.