The ICL mission is to inspire, educate and impact students to dare to dream! Our students work passionately towards their academic and professional goals while developing intellect and character. They positively impact local and global communities with a multiplier effect through their outreach. For the past 20 years, the ICL has been Inspiring, Educating, & Impacting High Performing Youth around the world! The ICL has transformed thousands of students at conferences, leadership speaker series, Youth Summits, our global leaders program, and through our partnership with the ICL Academy.
We Inspire students with our incredible network of ICL global leaders who are individuals making a mark on the world and share their passion, experiences and journeys with our students.
We Educate students with our award-winning, two-week, school curriculum, non-profit youth leadership curriculum which has been taught as electives, lessons embedded into schools curriculum , as accredited classes, two week summer leadership programs, and produced in partnership with other non profit partners.
We Impact students with our ICL Scholarship Program. We partner with individuals, companies and schools to provide financial support for student to pursue their academic, athletic, performing and social entrepreneurship dreams.
“I have been involved with the ICL since its inception and have seen it grow into a global organization impacting thousands of kids around the world and more importantly i have seen kids that I spoke to and worked with a decade ago now young adults still passionate about changing the world and actually achieving their dreams and helping their communities. I remember the ‘rookie class’ of ICL fellows like Andrew, Thara, Dan, Kiara. They all still stay in touch with me and each other. That is powerful.”
“You are the change! Each one of you are taking the necessary steps to be service leaders! you are our future. Programs like the ICL are our future.”
“Self awareness and sense of self is so important and are overlooked in schools. The ICL recognizes kids passions and gives them a toolbelt of skills to really make a change. Whats so unique is that the kids then go out and do it. I have been involved with the ICL since my rookie year in the NFL and while i was asked to come out and inspire these kids, the truth is that they inspire me!”
“ICL is a true definition of a social network. One that builds global youth communities focused around service and making a difference. The ICL showcases the true power of the internet and peer to peer exchanges.”
“This program is changing the way young people see themselves and the world. We must support programs like this if we are to build bridges across cultures and model schools around building service leaders and support students passionate about giving back to their schools and communities.”
“The ICL teaches skills to help others.That is the key, It also forces kids to look inward and self reflect. I didn’t learn this till later in life and can only imagine if i had learned self awareness and reflection earlier. I do know now that by making a positive impact on your community that you become truly happy.”
“I wish there were programs like this when i was young. The ICL harnesses innovation and imagination. The ICL builds a similar community based around service and giving back. It is truly a wonderful thing.”
“This program is real and empowers kids and what they are passionate about. There is nothing like the power of passion and when that is focused to do good and serve others the results are amazing.”
“The ICL is the type of organization whose results speak for themselves. To put it simply, the ICL strongly impacts the young leaders of this city and inspires impassioned youth that they can achieve greatness now and the ICL gives them the tools and resources to make that difference. I have been involved with the ICL for years and every year the students impress me more and more.”
“The education that I received from the Institute for Civic Leadership has helped me not only know myself better and become more confident, but it also gave me a new point of view on life. I kept my moral principles and understood that they’re an important part of a leader’s personality. The lessons that I gained from participating in this program gave me a wonderful perspective that I would not have otherwise had. It’s a better understanding of who I am, which I expect to help mold me into the person that I hope to become.”
“After my experience with ICL, I was inspired to study abroad in Berlin. This directly led to my decision to study in Paris and New York as a student at Columbia University. To get that initial scholarship, I had to create a video explaining my role as a global citizen, where I discussed how the ICL had shaped my role as a global citizen. Without my ICL experience and the education I received from the program, I don’t think that I would have received this honor, nor would I have even had the courage to apply.”
“The ICL is a model for change and highlights the power of youth and their ability to directly impact the lives of others.”
” ICL really is a game changer and an educational program like no other. In dealing with world problems and challenges, young people are often missing from the table. The ICL brings youth to the table. And we give them, the tools with which they can help solve those problems.”
“My experience with the Institute for Civic Leadership was a difference maker. It gave me the extra confidence and skill set to go out and achieve my goals of changing the world. My efforts were even recognized by the U.S. government, who rewarded me with a Congressional medal for my commitment to community service.”
“The ICL is truly the type of catalyst for change that has real tangible impacts on youth and their local communities.”
The Institute for Civic Leadership utilizes a network of renowned passionate global leaders from various fields, who relate their own stories and experiences in lectures, conversations, and counsel. An ICL Champion’s time and attention is an invaluable resource and these well recognized leaders serve as up-close models and mentors to our ICL Academy Students and fellows.
Michael Bloomberg
Wyclef Jean
Al Gore
Bode Miller
Brian Vickers
Tommy Haas
Tom Freston
Monica Seles
Ray Kelly
Antonio "LA" Reid
Kofi Anan
Keith "Wildchild" Middleton
Jaime Lynn Sigler
Sir Jeremy Greenstock
Malcolm Gladwell
Dr. Ellen Futter
Dhani Jones
David Dinkins
Brandon ShortLife-Changing Leadership Curriculum
Through a specially designed high school curriculum, summer programs, and speaker series, the ICL has inspired thousands of young adults to take action in over 30 countries. ICL students have been recognized entrepreneurs, received scholarships to nearly every top university, and have won an extraordinary 6 Congressional Medals of Service.
The key element in this multiplier effect is each and every one of our ICL Global Leaders — dedicated individuals who have used the opportunities presented to them to make a positive impact in their local and global communities. Click on some of our student leaders below to learn more more about their “ICL stories” and how they are able to truly make service count.
Summer is a fun loving energetic young lady. She is passionate about the environment, philanthropy, and fighting against social injustice. Summer is also an entrepreneur, with a growing e-commerce business. She has studied at one of New York City’s top culinary schools and is very interested in pursuing a career that allows her to build a business and share her skills in the kitchen. Lastly Summer is a very enthusiastic student and loves to be challenged. She’s excited about her future and preparing for college with ICL.
Caiden Steinkamp is a NYC resident who enjoys playing baseball (pitcher and 1st base), recreational downhill skiing, boating, wake surfing and just generally being outdoors. He also has a passion for food and enjoyed exploring and developing his culinary skills during quarantine. Academically he enjoys studying history and the reading part of English. Potential future aspirations include law school or sportswriting/broadcasting, as well as launching his mobile
Declan is joining ICL from Newton, Massachusetts. He loves soccer, flag football, and cross country running, but his true passion comes in the winter when he skis with the Attitash race team in the White Mountains in New Hampshire.
Hamilton B. Akabueze was born on NYC, but has been lucky enough to live in Chicago, Los Angeles and Dallas as well. Outside of his adventures in many US time zones, he has also traveled to Europe and Japan, loving the opportunity to explore and appreciate different cultures, architecture, foods and transportation systems. Hamilton is an ardent Formula 1 fan and has aspirations to be a part of the motorsports world as a driver, and has had the opportunity to spend time in Lewis Hamilton and Valteri Bottas’ pit during the F1 race at Circuit of the Americas in Austin. He is also an avid gamer and you can catch him racing every Sunday with live commentary on the rF1RacingLeague Twitch channel. He’s excited to join the ICL community and looking forward to learning and growing with you all.
Jessica has many interests and passions. I’d say her life’s passion is alpine skiing. She also loves her family and friends. In her spare time she enjoys hunting, hiking, riding horses, wake surfing, working out and socializing.
