Casey Rodriguez, Manager, Leadership Programs
The DRC’s Young Professionals is proud to announce the graduation of the LEAD YP Class of 2020. The class gathered virtually on Oct. 28 to celebrate its completion of the 10-month leadership development program and send its members off to their next adventure.
The prestigious LEAD YP program is designed for individuals who are both life-learners and aspiring leaders looking to enhance their professional careers. Class members receive training on personal leadership styles, leading through change, personal branding, and coaching and feedback, all through the Predictive Index Behavior Assessment.
This year’s experience was unlike any other; the class began with in-person sessions and quickly switched to virtual learning for the remainder of the program due to COVID-19. The class members’ willingness and ability to adapt shows their ambition to excel and commitment to their personal development.
As part of the virtual curriculum, class members prepared video projects that highlighted organizations working towards improving community issues. Topics ranged from affordable housing and job opportunities to unconscious bias.
We are proud to share the exceptional content our class members have produced and hope fellow young professionals feel inspired to take action within these organizations and be part of the change.
A special thank you to our LEAD YP program sponsors Iberiabank and Talent Suite LLC, and partner sponsor, Sheppard Mullin. Learn more about the DRC’s Young Professionals program.
LEAD YP 2020 Video Descriptions
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- Affordable Housing: According to the Pew Research Center, in 2015, 38% of Americans were considered rent-burden, meaning more than 30% of their income was spent on housing. In that same year, 17% of Americans spent more than 50% of their income on housing. This ratio is unsustainable, and efforts need to be made to offer more affordable housing in the Dallas Region. Read more.
- Combating Domestic Violence: Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, or financial. On average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. One in 4 women and nearly 1 in 10 men have experienced domestic violence. In 2018, the City of Dallas reported 15,425 domestic violence-related offenses and 24 murders. The victims of domestic violence need our help. Read more.
- Job Opportunity and Accessibility: Income disparity in Dallas County is growing at an alarming rate, even as the population booms. While the unemployment rate is low, not all jobs in Dallas County cover cost-of-living expenses. Equal and sufficient job opportunities are not always available in lower income areas, causing many individuals to look for jobs elsewhere. Organizations offer transportation to workforce training and job interviews to help mitigate the spatial mismatch that many communities face. Read more.
- Unconscious Bias: We are all guilty of being unconsciously biased. Our biological and evolutionary make-up have pre-dispositioned individuals to naturally favor those who look like us, think like us, sound like us, and share similar interests. But that does not mean that we should continue to allow these biases to manifest themselves in the workplace and society in general. Read more.
- Youth Education and Mentorship: Educating and mentoring our youth is incredibly important to ensure workforce success in the Dallas Region. Many youth face challenges as they transition to adulthood, but through education and mentorship, we can enable them to successfully live on their own. Learn how you can make a difference in a child’s life and impact the workforce of tomorrow. Read more.
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