Islamic Leadership Institute of America News

Youth Empowerment at Baltimore Youth Development Exhibition with Mayor Brandon Scott

ILIA Showcases Youth Empowerment at Baltimore Youth Development Exhibition with Mayor Brandon Scott

Baltimore, MD – Thul Hijjah 7th, 1446 ~ June 3rd, 2025 – Islamic Leadership Institute of America (ILIA) proudly took part in the Baltimore Youth Development Exhibition, hosted by the Baltimore Children & Youth Fund (BCYF) as part of its ongoing Learning Circles initiative. Held at a vibrant city venue and attended by over a hundred community members and civic leaders—including Mayor Brandon Scott—the exhibition spotlighted innovative, community-rooted efforts shaping the future of Baltimore's youth.

The event also marked the official launch of BCYF’s new Learning Platform, a bold step toward collaborative learning and long-term impact in the youth development ecosystem. ILIA was selected as a member of the Youth Development Strategy Circle, a distinguished cohort of organizations driving strategy, equity, and innovation in Baltimore’s youth-serving landscape.

Representing ILIA at the exhibition were:

Shane Ford, Program Manager for Baltimore Programs
Yomna Nassar, Director of Programs
Ayman Nassar, Chief Empowerment Officer

The ILIA team staffed a dynamic and interactive exhibit table where youth participants engaged in reflection and expression exercises, such as writing affirmations and practicing assertive communication. Statements like “I believe in you,” “Can you help me understand?” and “You can do this” were handwritten by attendees as part of an activity on youth voice and empowerment. Community members, educators, and leaders from other organizations explored ILIA’s impact areas in leadership development, career readiness, civic engagement, and youth wellness and stability.

Mayor Brandon Scott visited the showcase floor and connected with several organizational leaders, recognizing their critical role in building a safer, more equitable city through direct investment in its youth. The exhibit's theme, “Nothing About Us Without Us Is For Us”, echoed ILIA’s commitment to ensuring youth are not just served—but empowered as leaders and decision-makers in their own lives and communities.

“We believe that youth are not a problem to be fixed—they are partners in solving community challenges,” said Ayman Nassar. “That’s why we focus on leadership training, coaching, and real-world service opportunities that put youth at the center.”

For Schools and Youth Organizations: Partner with ILIA

ILIA extends its services to schools, after-school programs, youth-serving nonprofits, and community centers across Maryland and beyond. Through our consulting and capacity-building services, we help institutions:

Develop custom youth leadership and empowerment programs
Train staff and volunteers in best practices for youth engagement
Design strategic roadmaps for organizational development and impact measurement

Align their work with youth voice, trauma-informed practice, and equity-centered leadership

If you're a school leader or organization interested in strengthening your youth development strategy or launching a new initiative, ILIA’s consulting team is here to help. We offer one-time trainings, strategic planning sessions, and long-term advisory partnerships.

📩 Email us at ss@islamicleadership.org to start a conversation.

For Youth: Learn, Lead, and Give Back

ILIA also welcomes young people ages 12–24 to join our community as volunteers, interns, and youth fellows. Whether you're passionate about social change, mental health, entrepreneurship, public service, or creative leadership—we have a place for you to grow, be mentored, and make a difference.

Our youth programming includes:

Leadership and project management courses
Youth-run service learning projects
One-on-one coaching
Advocacy and civic engagement experiences
Paid internships and scholarship opportunities

💡 Visit www.islamicleadership.org to apply or learn more about upcoming youth programs.

A Collective Vision for Baltimore’s Youth

The Baltimore Youth Development Exhibition was more than an event—it was a call to action. It demonstrated what’s possible when youth, nonprofits, and local government come together to build, listen, and invest in long-term solutions. ILIA is grateful to the Baltimore Children & Youth Fund for creating space for meaningful exchange and action.

We remain committed to working alongside the city's schools, organizations, and families to ensure that every youth—not just in Baltimore, but across the region—has access to leadership tools, compassionate mentorship, and empowering opportunities that unlock their full potential.

Contact Us:

Interested in collaborating, enrolling, or volunteering?

📧 ss@islamicleadership.org

🌐 www.islamicleadership.org

📍Serving youth and institutions across America

About Islamic Leadership Institute of America

ILIA is America's first dedicated educational institute to Islamic leadership development and education. Since its inception in 2009, ILIA has engaged with 8000+ students through programs and classes. The organization is youth-led and its services are open to all individuals, regardless of faith through its dawah work. It also operates a scholarship program, Youth Crisis Line, youth dorm and a number of youth-led projects.

About Baltimore Children and Youth Fund (BCYF)

In the effort to create a dedicated fund to support programs for Baltimore’s young people, BCYF was launched in 2015 by then-City Council President Bernard “Jack” C. Young in response to the unrest in Baltimore following the death of Freddie Gray while in police custody, an event that sharply illuminated longstanding inequities in public funding in Black communities. BCYF builds partnerships that support the ecosystem focused on opportunities for Baltimore youth by providing support to leaders and organizations. To learn more visit https://bcyfund.org.

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