AFSC’s Emerging Leaders for Liberation

As a youth leadership program, ELL unites young people who share a vested interest in social justice and grassroots organizing. Over the course of eight months, participants develop their leadership skills and deepen their commitments to social justice through in-person convenings, virtual meetings, and the completion of a community action project. 

“I valued getting to meet new people and learning from them. I feel like I gained a lot of knowledge about new topics and learned that there is so much opportunity the world has to offer. Everyone was welcoming and understanding, and I feel like I’ve learned more in this cohort than I ever have during any kind of program or organizing work I’ve done.” 

 - 2025 ELL cohort member  

Since 2021, ELL has trained over 90 young people from Quaker meetings, Quaker colleges, and AFSC programs around the country. The 2025 cohort consisted of 24 young people from California, Colorado, Indiana, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Washington.  

Every year, the ELL program kicks off with a convening in Philadelphia. This year, cohort members traveled to West Philadelphia and learned about the Black Bottom, a previously thriving black community that was disenfranchised and displaced by neighboring universities. The cohort learned about the Black Bottom through an art and community vision workshop: learning about the ways the neighborhood is tackling gentrification.

The convening in Philadelphia also presented an opportunity for cohort members to grow in community with one another. According to program director Julián Andaya, “This convening was a great opportunity for the cohort to engage with a history that is largely forgotten, and purposely covered up, in Philly. They were able to see how telling these stories is an important part of movement work.” 

Throughout the program, participants gained a deeper understanding of various areas of AFSC’s work. During monthly virtual calls, participants learned from AFSC staff about healing justice, climate justice, immigrant rights, U.S. Palestine activism, and storytelling and media. The cohort also learned about the historical involvement that Quaker communities have had with each of these issues. 

The final ELL convening brought cohort members to Denver, Colorado, where AFSC has been working to advance immigrant rights since 1995. In Denver, cohort members heard from AFSC staff about the work of the Denver immigrant rights program and engaged in workshops about the navigating imposter syndrome, the history of youth organizing, conflict transformation, and Quaker discernment practices. 

The cohort also visited The Green House Collaboration Center, an environmental justice organization that advocates for community members affected by pollution. Cohort members heard from Harmony Cummings, the center’s founder, speak about the center’s campaigns, initiatives, and recent victories. Through this visit, cohort members gained insight into the environmental issues impacting local communities in Denver and how people are responding. 

Central to the ELL program is the completion of a community action project. In Denver, cohort members presented on their completed projects, which addressed issues including immigrant rights, voting rights, harm reduction, prisons and policing, LGBTQ rights, and community wellness. Highlights include: 

Dia de Medicina Communitaria 

When the cohort gathered in Denver, two Colorado-based cohort members hosted a community care event. They focused on building a restorative environment for members of Denver’s immigrant community, which is currently under attack. The event offered healing practices ranging from massage to acupuncture, resources for immigrants, collage making, and a musical performance. The entire cohort was able to participate in the event, allowing them to support their peers and engage with community members. 

ICE Out of Our Barrio

In Oregon, three cohort members used their community action project to address the criminalization of immigration, increased ICE attacks on their community, and the separation of families. Their project involved distributing over 1000 Know Your Rights cards to neighbors and local businesses and hosting a rally at the Oregon State Capitol. Over 100 community members attended the rally where youth gave speeches, resources were shared, traditional Oaxacan dances were performed, and a community altar honored the lives lost at the hands of ICE. 

The ELL program, after a successful year, is excited to continue training young organizers to make measurable changes in their communities. The ELL program is supported through the generosity of individuals like you all. Please consider supporting this amazing work today.

Applications for the 2026 ELL cohort are now open. If you know a young person, aged 18-22, with a connection to AFSC, Quaker Meetings, or Quaker colleges/organizations, please encourage them to apply!