Our Story
“You can’t be what you can’t see.”
-Marian Wright Edelman
The idea for NYL was conceived by founder Claude Joseph, a youth service professional with more than 20 years of experience in education and community development.
Over the years, Claude developed and refined the 4-P framework—a holistic approach that empowers underserved youth of color with an entrepreneurial mindset, leadership skills, and resilience. Through this framework, students are equipped to create their own opportunities and thrive within New York City’s dynamic creative industries.
Originally, designed as summer programs, the enthusiastic response from alumni led Mr. Joseph to formalize the initiative, founding NYL as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in 2021 to further expand it impact.
In 2022, NYL received its NYC Department of Education Vendor’s License, allowing the organization to offer career-connected activities in several NYC schools. Today, with the addition of after-school programming, NYL continues to empower youth of color with the skills and confidence to lead in the creative economy.
THE NYL 4-Ps FRAMEWORK
The New Youth Leaders 4-Ps framework is built around four key attributes: Passion, Plan, Produce, and Purpose. These elements are foundational and standards-based, designed to guide youth through critical learning, growth, and exploration.
The 4-Ps framework integrates best practices from adolescent development stages to help youth develop cultural intelligence, ethical-decision making, and resilience—essential traits for navigating and shaping their future. However, it’s impact extends beyond personal growth; it serves as a bridge between education and industry, providing students with real world, experiences, mentorship and career pathways.
By embracing the 4-Ps mindset, NYL graduates emerge as creators, problem-solvers, and leaders ready to fill the employment gaps and drive diversity in NYC’s creative tech and other non-technology sectors of the economy.
KEY DEMOGRAPHICS
The following statistics apply to former and current NYL program participants
96% identify as youth of color
91% come from single-family homes
84% qualify for free or reduced lunch
100% have dreams of a better future