New Light Leadership Coalition (NLLC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is governed and managed for youth, by youth.

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There is an old proverb that says “nothing can stop an idea whose time has come.” I love this saying because when I hear it, it makes me think of the unlimited power and undying zeal of New Light Leadership Coalition, Inc. (NLLC).

When Tamara and I founded this organization in 1999, we were 17 and 19 years old respectively. We had a desire to give young people a platform to be heard because we saw that young people were perceived as non-essential and were omitted from the chambers of City Hall, the boardrooms of businesses, and the tables of community organizations all around the city. There was no one speaking up or out about the injustices being committed against young people. Those who were concerned about the issue complained instead of developing a solution to the myriad of problems facing young people in Baltimore City.

At the time, we were unaware of how far this journey would take us because our immediate concern was to get young people ready to become the vanguard of a new type of leadership. We didn’t have millions of dollars or experience with organizational development or conference planning, but that did not concern us because we had the time and passion for making change. We asked the simple question: Who is more qualified to teach and train young people about their leadership potential than other young leaders? We knew we would be derelict in our commitment to this powerful idea and our duty to ourselves and our peers if we squandered the opportunity to bring this idea into fruition. We were concerned that if nothing was done, young people would continue to suffer without hope for the future of their own lives and their communities.

I have the unique and honored privilege of serving as President of this illustrious organization. I believe New Light Leadership Coalition, Inc. is that “idea whose time has come,” because it was not brought to life by merely words, but it is fueled by the will, passion, and greater expectation young people have for leadership. We serve a generation that the world has labeled lazy, shiftless, troublesome and dangerous. Yet, we have been able to pierce through these myths and misperceptions to uncover the potential and bring forth real leaders.

Young people in the streets, the schools, the basketball courts, the barber shops, the hair salons, the mall, the PAL Centers, all around the city need to know that there are peer leaders who are concerned about our current condition. NLLC is dedicated to being a part of the solution rather than dwelling on problems of the past. We know that the potential is there for positive change to be made, and we are on the front lines of that change. We are one of the few youth-governed organizations that truly seek to empower rather than pacify the warrior spirit in our peers.

We have become the trumpet of truth for young people in the city of Baltimore and around the country in spreading the message of youth empowerment. Based on the inspiring philosophy of peers teaching peers, NLLC has become the model for a youth created, youth-governed organization. NLLC is more than just a tax-exempt entity. It is a sign of the time that a revolution is taking place in the hearts and minds of young people. Everyday, more and more young people are becoming aware of their potential and it is our job to assist them in that process to become qualified leaders.

Yours truly,

Farajii R. Muhammad
President & Cofounder