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A version of this article was published in The People’s Practice Issue 06: What it Takes (and Costs) to Lead Toward Justice, which investigates themes of leadership within community development, and what it might look like to truly celebrate, support, and elevate anti-racist leadership, particularly leadership of color.

Leadership (noun): a powerful and transformative force, one that on a day-to-day basis we often overlook because society has conditioned us to believe that “leadership” is something to be voted upon, not something found within.

For me, leadership transcends color, race or origin. It is rooted in the desire to uplift others, create positive change and build a better future for one’s community. Over the past year and a half, I’ve had the privilege of redefining leadership in my own neighborhood – a place rich in history but where many feel overlooked and forgotten. Becoming a leader in a community that has often felt silenced required me to embrace these challenges and dedicate myself fully to the work. I push hard to ensure that every voice is heard, regardless of age, and empower those around me to believe in their ability to make a lasting difference.

As a resident of this community, I saw the need to nurture leadership qualities in our younger generation. This led me to create Five Senses Farming, Agriculture, and Culinary Arts in 2023, an initiative designed to help children discover the leaders within themselves by simply growing food and preparing meals for their families. Five Senses has provided children in the Douglass Community with hands-on learning experiences, fostering both independence and leadership skills. Through this initiative, participants engage all five senses as they explore the essentials of farming, gardening and culinary arts. This immersive approach encourages creativity, teamwork and responsibility, as the children are tasked with growing, harvesting and preparing their own food. Over the summer, we organized field trips to the Memphis Botanic Garden and Dixon Gallery and Gardens, where the youth experienced one-on-one guidance on garden layouts and plant care. These field trips deepened their understanding of agricultural practices and instilled a sense of ownership and pride in their work, enabling them to take leadership roles in both the garden and the kitchen. The program has been instrumental in teaching practical skills while also empowering youth to contribute to the community’s sustainable future.

I’ve witnessed how engaging in activities like farming and cooking can spark self-reliance, teamwork and creativity – essential qualities that transform youth into leaders. The program gave me a unique opportunity to study and experience the core values of youth leadership and to prove that even in a community where many have been conditioned to say “I can’t,” we can inspire our young people to confidently stand up and say, “I will.”

One of the most important qualities of leadership is empathy. Understanding the experiences, struggles and hopes of others is crucial, especially when guiding young people who face significant challenges. A leader who listens and genuinely cares can build trust and foster unity. In youth leadership, empathy is key to connecting with peers and inspiring them to be change agents in their communities. Children learn the Golden Rule of Life, to treat people how you want to be treated. They are serving meals for the homeless, sit down and learn the life stories others. They walk away with determination in their heart to help individuals and are eager to find a solution for ending homelessness.

Vision is another vital component. A leader must have a clear idea of what they want to achieve and how they plan to get there. For youth leaders, this vision could be focused on improving educational opportunities, addressing local needs, or creating spaces for growth. The ability to communicate this vision and inspire others to work toward it is what propels movements and builds collaborative energy.

Perseverance is also essential. Change does not happen overnight, and the journey is rarely easy. For young leaders, understanding the importance of perseverance teaches them that leadership means staying committed even when challenges arise. Through growing their own food, Five Senses students learn that success takes time and effort. Cooking skills reinforce perseverance. Some cakes will rise, and some will fall, but the key ingredient is to not give up no matter the result. By cultivating resilience and determination, they learn to push through setbacks and continue making a positive impact.

Leadership thrives on collaboration. By teaching youth the importance of teamwork, partnership and collective success, we help them understand that leadership is about bringing people together and leveraging strengths. When young leaders learn the power of collaboration, they not only achieve more but also develop a deep sense of ownership and commitment to long-term goals. Students have learned to work as a team to plant, maintain crops, prepare meals and organize events, like preparing and serving meals at one of our local women’s shelters.

Leadership doesn’t have a specific color, race, or origin – only a desired heart and mind to see others do well. Leadership is not defined by external factors but by an unwavering commitment to make a positive impact. For youth leaders, embracing this mindset early on shapes them into empathetic, visionary and resilient individuals who are ready to uplift their communities.

Effective youth leadership requires empathy, vision, perseverance and collaboration. It’s about stepping up to challenges and working tirelessly to create a better future for all. Leadership is not defined by race, color, or origin, but by the desire to see others succeed and the willingness to do what it takes to make that happen. At 5 Senses, we are preparing the next generation of leaders with these qualities for building stronger, more unified communities.

The People’s Practice is dedicated to anyone who cares about anti-racist community development work and wants to be part of the movement to move anti-racist practice forward in the sector. This work attempts to build an understanding of structural racism in community development and pathways to racially equitable outcomes that promote health equity. This work was produced with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of RWJF.

About ThirdSpace Action Lab: ThirdSpace Action Lab was created to disrupt the vicious cycle of disinvestment + displacement that negatively impacts the vitality of communities of color with low incomes. ThirdSpace is a grassroots solutions studio dedicated to prototyping creative, place-based solutions to complex socio-economic problems. The organization works as institutional + community organizers, turning multidisciplinary research into evidence-based strategies and activating “third places” to co-create more liberated spaces for people of color.

This post was originally published on Next City.