High School Bigs Leadership Summit 2025
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF ORANGE COUNTY & THE INLAND EMPIRE EXPANDS LEADERSHIP SUMMIT TO SECOND REGION
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County and the Inland Empire Expands Leadership Summit to Second Region
RIVERSIDE, Calif. – March 12, 2025 – More than 200 high school students and aspiring leaders gathered on March 8, 2025, for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County and the Inland Empire (BBBS OC/IE) Leadership Summit, a full-day event focused on character development, community engagement and leadership growth.
Inland Empire Hosts First-Ever Leadership Summit
The Leadership Summit was first launched in Orange County to address a growing need among high school mentors for leadership training and personal development. Due to its success, the program has expanded to the Inland Empire, with both regions hosting summits simultaneously for the first time—at Fullerton College in Orange County and Riverside County Office of Education Conference Center in the Inland Empire.
This expansion reflects the growing demand for youth mentorship and leadership opportunities across both regions. This milestone event provided students in both regions with opportunities to build confidence, develop communication skills and strengthen their leadership abilities through mentorship.
Addressing a Critical Need
“High school students coming out of the pandemic were eager to give back but also searching for their own growth opportunities. They wanted to build confidence, develop communication skills, and find purpose in serving their communities. This summit was created to meet them where they are and empower them as leaders of tomorrow.” – Latilla Cain, Orange County High School Bigs Program Manager
The Leadership Summit supports students participating in BBBS OC/IE’s High School Bigs Program, a mentoring model where high school students serve as role models for elementary school youth. The program currently serves more than 1,600 young people across 12 school districts and 60 schools, reinforcing leadership and civic engagement for both mentors and mentees.
Event Highlights & Key Speakers
The day began with networking, a vendor walk, and opening remarks by Heather Williams, Ed.D Associate Superintendent RCOE, followed by a keynote address from youth motivational speaker Jamar Root, who inspired students with insights on leadership, character growth and career development.
Students then rotated through three breakout sessions, each designed to foster leadership and problem-solving skills:
- Mental Health & Wellness – Led by Julianna Mendoza, this session provided students with practical strategies for resilience, emotional intelligence and self-care.
- Innovation Through Technology – Dr. Kenneth Jones Jr. and his team introduced students to drone technology, offering hands-on experiences that encouraged problem-solving and adaptability.
- Social Impact & Leadership – Social media influencer Mark Menezes guided discussions on advocacy, civic engagement and creating meaningful change in communities.
- During the Lunch & Learn speaker panel, High School Bigs from Riverside Unified School District, Corona-Norco Unified School District, Fontana Unified School District, and San Bernardino City Unified School District shared how mentorship has shaped their leadership and character development.
Recognizing Key Partners
The success of the Leadership Summit was made possible through the support of Supervisor Jose Medina, District 1, whose $30,000 grant contribution is helping expand mentorship opportunities in the region. Dr. Edwin Gomez, Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, also played a key role in championing this initiative, alongside Kaiser Permanente, QUAVDA, and other dedicated partners committed to youth leadership development.
For more information about BBBS OC/IE and its mentorship programs, visit ocbigs.org or iebigs.org.
