Today we’d like to introduce you to Leticia Sharp.
Hi Leticia, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was born and raised in northwest Baltimore, Maryland. Most of my formative years were lived in the Pimlico neighborhood about 2 blocks from Pimlico Racetrack, home of the Preakness. I attended Western High School, where I was enrolled in their college preparatory program. And there was no doubt in my mind that I was going to college, but the question was which one. My PSAT score and interest in business and entrepreneurship lead me to attend a summer program for “minority” (that was the term used back then) students at Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts the summer before my senior year of high school. That summer program was called “Management Expo.” Attending Management Expo had such a profound and lasting effect upon me that not only did I attend and graduate from Babson with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and communications, but it indirectly played an integral part in my decision to form the nonprofit organization Youth Becoming Global Citizens (YBGC).
I believe the concept for YBGC has always been in my heart, but it took a long journey with many side trips to get to its actual formation. After a 17-year career in the wireless communications industry, I made a conscientious decision to follow career pursuits that were more in alignment with my deepest values and core beliefs. This included assisting hurricane survivors with obtaining funding to rebuild their homes and businesses, assisting travelers who experienced medical emergencies with finding medical treatment while traveling outside of their home countries, and helping Baltimore’s youth connect with mentors and programs to build brighter futures for themselves and their communities. It was during my work with the Baltimore Children and Youth Fund that I reconnected with my own journey as a young person growing up in Baltimore City, full of hope, potential, and a curiosity about the world. But with very low self-esteem and no sense of what I could offer to the world. From this reconnection with my own childhood dreams and struggles grew a spark of a vision. A vision to empower the youth of Baltimore to live and grow beyond the spaces of despair and glorified violence that they are made to believe are a part of their destiny.
I have been traveling regularly to the beautiful Central American country of Panama since 2011 and while working at Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Chesapeake in 2016, an idea began to take shape. An idea to introduce the youth of Baltimore City to the wonders of Panama for the adventure of a lifetime. In reflecting on how travel had changed, enriched, and expanded my worldview, I longed for the young people of Baltimore to have similar experiences and opportunities through international travel. And with its boundless natural wonders, dynamic cultural fusion, and the engineering masterpiece of the Panama Canal, Panama seemed to be a great place to start. In 2021, while planning and researching in Panama I met Jennifer Rogers, a native Panamanian, who effortlessly embraced the vision of bringing Baltimore youth to Panama (and vice-versa someday!) for a cultural immersion experience, and without hesitation she accepted the role of Executive Assistant on the ground in Panama. Ultimately it is our greatest desire for many of the youth of Baltimore, and other cities, to have the opportunity to take this journey of self-discovery and cultural immersion.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Of course, the road has not been easy. It’s truly been a road of self-discovery, even for me. Learning what I am and am not capable of. There are times of self-doubt and uncertainty, but at the same time, I have been blessed to have many good people excited to join me on this journey, and I am eternally grateful for them all. They have come alongside me with no promise or guarantee of payment for their service and support. They simply believe in the vision. At this point in time, I am the sole funder of the program, which is not realistically sustainable for much longer, however, we plan to launch a series of fundraising initiatives in the coming months. A major roadblock to kicking off the fundraising activities is our lack of 501(c)3 tax-exempt status. Without this, we cannot expect any major amount of donations because people and businesses need the assurance that their donations are tax-deductible. It takes money and an application process that can last for up to 6 months to obtain this tax-exempt status. The good news is that we are already incorporated.
The other challenge has been the time and cost of traveling to and within Panama to meet with prospective partners, vendors, and providers of services to make the program work. It’s been a challenge and a pleasure all at the same time! It has been very costly, but we have made some absolutely wonderful partnerships with some very reputable organizations within Panama. The City of Knowledge (Ciudad del Saber) has welcomed us with open arms, and our students will stay within the safety of their impressive campus, having access to many of the on-campus amenities. But of course, the accommodations are not free, so all of the great partnerships that we have been able to make all come at a cost. Travel, accommodations, food, activities all come with a cost. That is the major challenge at the moment.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Youth Becoming Global Citizens is currently a 6-month program of cultural immersion and self-discovery for Baltimore City youth between the ages of 14-18, of which 4 weeks will be spent in the Central American country of Panama. The program includes immersion in Spanish language and Panamanian culture; therapeutic art activities with the MAI Center; STEM activities; environmental sustainability activities; nature exploration; a 1-day retreat at a rainforest resort; exposure to the logistical workings of the Panama Canal – here we want them to actually see the journey of those items we all order on Amazon! They will have the opportunity to shadow their Panamanian youth peers for a day in school, as well as spend time in community service with elderly nursing home residents. The campus of the City of Knowledge will provide dorm rooms, eating venues, abundant outdoor spaces, sports venues, classrooms, and so much more! I am very proud to say that we have laid a solid foundation of partnerships within the country of Panama, and everyone there is eagerly awaiting our participants! We will provide our youth participants with chaperones, an on-duty nurse, 3 meals each day, and all travel expenses paid. The program begins 4 months prior to actual travel with virtual and in-person sessions to begin preparing participants for the journey. Because of the traumas and stress experienced by the youth in our society, our program will have a mental health and wellness focus throughout. I am excited to say that we have been joined by 2 therapists, 1 male, and 1 female, who are helping us design and plan everything with health and wellness in mind. Their expertise will be consulted from recruitment to post-trip activities, beginning to end.
As a capstone to this journey, we will ask the participants to give a presentation of their experience in Panama to share at an event with family and friends. And we will allow them to use the expression of their choosing – music, dance, acting, singing, poetry, oration, writing, film, STEM, whatever.
We are hoping to provide our participants with an experience that will expand their view of the world and themselves within the world. We want to empower them to actually create a new place for themselves in the world as global citizens, fearlessly sharing their gifts, talents, creativity, and brilliance.
Any big plans?
We are still in the very early stages of launching this unique program. We’ve been welcomed to Panama with open arms, and everyone is eagerly anticipating our pilot cohort, which we are expecting to travel in the summer of 2024. We plan to officially begin recruitment this summer (2023) and hope to have our first group of youth participants selected by January 2024. In February of 2024, we plan to begin the 4-month preparation stage of the program, which will take place in Baltimore and virtually. And, of course, there is the matter of fundraising. Our plan is to take a multifaceted approach so that we are never dependent on just one or two main sources of income. Besides applying for grants and hosting fundraising events, we may also consider offering a paid/fee-for-service version of this unique travel experience in which all profits will feed directly into the nonprofit programming. Another idea is to have large organizations and corporations fully sponsor and pay the expenses for individual youth participants. We also plan to kick our fundraising into high gear this summer in tandem with recruitment of participants. Panama is ready and waiting!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.youthbgc.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youthbgc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/youthbgc
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/youthbgc/
