Fulton County’s CONNECTED: Youth Leadership Program (CYLP) Returns in Partnership with 21st Century Leaders
September 16, 2026
Empowering high school students to lead, explore careers, and prepare for the future
The Fulton County Department of Community Development, in partnership with 21st Century Leaders, Georgia’s premier youth leadership nonprofit organization, is once again engaging, empowering, and inspiring high school students from across Fulton County to become the next generation of leaders.
Students may register for the program through Monday, September 28, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. A virtual orientation for participants will take place Thursday, October 1, 2026.
Fulton County’s CONNECTED: Youth Leadership Program (CYLP) is an experiential program designed to provide students with a full year of robust experiences, enabling them to develop critical leadership knowledge, explore career interests, and make informed decisions about the educational and training pathways needed to achieve their future goals. Participants will also have access to live and online leadership training, special incentives, and opportunities to connect with diverse peers and professionals throughout Fulton County.
CYLP is designed with an EPIC approach model: Engaging (fun and unique learning experience), Participatory (active and ongoing), Interactive (employer and training driven), and Connected (interest driven/social developmental), utilizing 21st Century Leaders’ (21CL) proprietary online learning platform, Leadership Connect®, which is housed on Intellum, an AI-powered and Atlanta-based enterprise learning management system trusted by companies like Google, Amazon, Reddit, and Meta.
For consideration, students must meet the following criteria:
Must be enrolled in high school
Must be a Fulton County resident
Access to a computer, mobile device, or tablet and Wi-Fi will be required to fully participate in this virtual leadership program
CYLP participants will have several opportunities throughout the year to be recognized for their involvement and earn incentives that encourage continued engagement, including:
Gift card prizes ranging from $25 to $100
Technology prizes
Live workshops and leadership summits
Opportunity for a paid summer internship for high school juniors and seniors
Weekly drawings and other incentives are awarded based on participant engagement.
Students may submit their completed applications online at www.fultoncountyga.gov/CYLP.
For more information, please contact Dionne Ferrell, Youth Coordinator, at dionne.ferrell@fultoncountyga.gov.
About 21st Century Leaders
21st Century Leaders® is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that connects, transforms, and inspires high school students from diverse backgrounds across Georgia to leverage diversity, explore career opportunities, and become leaders in their school, community, and ultimately the workforce. Since its inception in 1989, 21st Century Leaders has served more than 20,000 diverse high school students from over 250 Georgia high schools through year-round leadership development, diversity and inclusion training, and career exploration programs. For more information about 21st Century Leaders, visit www.21stcenturyleaders.org.
Students may register for the program through Monday, September 28, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. A virtual orientation for participants will take place Thursday, October 1, 2026.
Fulton County’s CONNECTED: Youth Leadership Program (CYLP) is an experiential program designed to provide students with a full year of robust experiences, enabling them to develop critical leadership knowledge, explore career interests, and make informed decisions about the educational and training pathways needed to achieve their future goals. Participants will also have access to live and online leadership training, special incentives, and opportunities to connect with diverse peers and professionals throughout Fulton County.
CYLP is designed with an EPIC approach model: Engaging (fun and unique learning experience), Participatory (active and ongoing), Interactive (employer and training driven), and Connected (interest driven/social developmental), utilizing 21st Century Leaders’ (21CL) proprietary online learning platform, Leadership Connect®, which is housed on Intellum, an AI-powered and Atlanta-based enterprise learning management system trusted by companies like Google, Amazon, Reddit, and Meta.
For consideration, students must meet the following criteria:
Must be enrolled in high school
Must be a Fulton County resident
Access to a computer, mobile device, or tablet and Wi-Fi will be required to fully participate in this virtual leadership program
CYLP participants will have several opportunities throughout the year to be recognized for their involvement and earn incentives that encourage continued engagement, including:
Gift card prizes ranging from $25 to $100
Technology prizes
Live workshops and leadership summits
Opportunity for a paid summer internship for high school juniors and seniors
Weekly drawings and other incentives are awarded based on participant engagement.
Students may submit their completed applications online at www.fultoncountyga.gov/CYLP.
For more information, please contact Dionne Ferrell, Youth Coordinator, at dionne.ferrell@fultoncountyga.gov.
About 21st Century Leaders
21st Century Leaders® is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that connects, transforms, and inspires high school students from diverse backgrounds across Georgia to leverage diversity, explore career opportunities, and become leaders in their school, community, and ultimately the workforce. Since its inception in 1989, 21st Century Leaders has served more than 20,000 diverse high school students from over 250 Georgia high schools through year-round leadership development, diversity and inclusion training, and career exploration programs. For more information about 21st Century Leaders, visit www.21stcenturyleaders.org.