The City of Lawrenceville and nonprofit Impact46 have kicked off the latest round of their youth leadership program, Lawrenceville Legacy Leaders (L3), introducing 38 high-schoolers ready to tackle an eight-month journey through leadership and civic engagement. The eclectic mix of students from Central Gwinnett, Discovery, Maxwell, Phoenix, and Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science & Technology high schools are in for a transformative experience that includes building their leadership chops and giving back through community service, according to the city's announcement.
The initiative, which saw its birth in 2022, has already welcomed over 75 young individuals into its ranks—now, the 2025-2026 cohort with names like Ahmed Tahsin, Alicia Kizza, and Alioune Diack up to Xavier Steele, begins its fourth year. Mayor David Still praised the program, “These students practice leadership in our neighborhoods, schools, and community events. Their energy and ideas bring fresh perspective, and their dedication gives us confidence in the future of Lawrenceville,” a sentiment echoed in the city's statement.
Getting their feet wet with a Meet and Greet, these students will now navigate through interactive workshops and real-world experiences—ranging from discourse with mental health professionals to shadowing city leaders and making a difference in partnership with local nonprofits. All this leads them to design and run their very own WellFest: Positive Vibes, Positive Minds, contributing a youth-angled lens to the dialogue on mental wellness with their capstone project.
Last year's WellFest drew a crowd exceeding 1,000 participants, featuring activities and performances engineered by the students; Jen Young, Executive Director of Impact46, attested to the students' capability, observing that "Seeing these students dream, plan, and then execute an event of that scale is proof of what young leaders can achieve when given the right tools, opportunities, and support," as reported by the Lawrenceville announcement.
For those looking to follow the progression of these emerging community leaders or to dive deeper into the workings of Lawrenceville's programs and partnerships, further information can be accessed through the city's Lawrenceville Legacy Leaders page and by keeping an eye on Impact46's contributions to this burgeoning endeavor.
