Our Programs
Leadership without wellness leads to burnout. Voice without identity is fragile. Action without community is unsustainable. That’s why TRI’s approach begins with healing and wholeness.
Our Methodology
The Leadership Ladder
We move beyond simply addressing trauma to actively and intentionally nurture the strengths, resilience, and brilliance Black youth already carry.
Through a multi-year Leadership Ladder that integrates cultural identity, social-emotional wellness, mentorship, and collective leadership, youth move from self-discovery to active community leadership, taking on responsibility, strengthening their voice, and stepping into leadership in the spaces that shape their lives.
Level 3
Rooted & Rising Leadership Pipeline
Living Leadership in Community
Who is this for?
Fellowship alumni ready to apply their leadership in community spaces with mentorship and real-world responsibility.
Rooted & Rising is where leadership becomes lived experience. Fellowship alumni engage in mentorship with adult PILLARs and step into meaningful roles in community spaces.
Here, youth apply transferable life and leadership skills in real-world settings, expand their
networks, and contribute to initiatives that create tangible impact.
Youth leave able to:
Apply leadership skills in real-world settings
Strengthen transferable life and leadership skills
Build sustained mentorship relationships
Apply leadership skills in real-world settings
Contribute to initiatives that create visible community impact
Demonstrate initiative, accountability, and follow-through
Level 1
Summer Liberation Lab
Rooting Identity & Leadership
Who is this for?
Rising 6th–8th grade youth who are beginning to explore identity, community, and their own leadership voice.
The Summer Liberation Lab is an immersive learning space where youth explore identity, build community, and deepen the leadership instincts they already carry.
Through experiential learning, reflection, storytelling, and dialogue, young people strengthen self-awareness, confidence, and connection. Youth practice leadership in real time, learning to listen, collaborate, and contribute in ways that honor both individuality and collective power.
Youth leave able to:
Demonstrate increased confidence using their voice
Strengthen their sense of identity and belonging
Deepen their understanding of their community
Recognize themselves as emerging architects of change
Level 2
AL3 Leadership
Fellowship
Expanding Voice & Vision
Who is this for?
Middle school youth ready to deepen their voice, critical thinking, and leadership
through sustained engagement.
The AL3 Leadership Fellowship is an 8-month deep dive into leadership, systems awareness, and advocacy. Fellows explore the forces shaping their lives and strengthen their ability to influence change. Through guided discussions, real-world learning, collaborative projects and action, youth move from awareness to agency.
Youth leave able to:
Analyze systems and understand root causes of issues
Turn ideas into actionable initiatives
Lead collaboratively through shared decision-making
Design and contribute to advocacy or community-based projects
Level 3
Rooted & Rising Leaders Pipeline
Living Leadership in Community
Who is this for?
Fellowship alumni ready to apply their leadership in community spaces with
mentorship and real-world responsibility.
Rooted & Rising is where leadership becomes lived experience. Fellowship alumni engage in mentorship with adult PILLARs and step into meaningful roles in community spaces.
Here, youth apply transferable life and leadership skills in real-world settings, expand their
networks, and contribute to initiatives that create tangible impact.
Youth leave able to:
Apply leadership skills in real-world settings
Build sustained mentorship relationships
Strengthen transferable life and leadership skills
Demonstrate initiative, accountability, and follow-through
Contribute to initiatives that create visible community impact