Cultural Leadership, the long-running anti-bias/social justice program for local Jewish and Black students is relaunching itself with a new name and expanded programs that the organization hopes will boost its overall impact.
Founded in 2004 by local Jewish leader Karen Kalish, Cultural Leadership has been renamed LEAD STL, and it plans to continue its commitment to fostering social change through immersive learning experiences and empathy-building.
“This relaunch signifies not just an expansion but a transformation,” said Tamyka Perine, the executive director of LEAD STL. “We are amplifying our reach and impact, armed with a clear strategic direction that aligns with our foundational ethos of inclusivity, empathy and social change.”
Growth and Expanded Reach
With an aggressive plan and a renewed commitment to empower a new generation of changemakers, Perine and LEAD STL hope to reach more than 10 times more young people than in the past. This will be done by strengthening and increasing strategic partnerships with other like-minded organizations and institutions, ensuring more mentorships for young people.
“But it’s more than just increasing numbers; it’s about deepening the change we wish to see in the St. Louis community,” said Perine. “We are inviting more people to the table, expanding our programs and enriching lives in ways we’ve only dreamed of. Together, we can create a brighter future for our region and beyond.”
The Tzedakah Youth Leadership
As part of the launch of LEAD STL, the organization established the Tzedakah Youth Leadership Award to celebrate and encourage youth in St. Louis who are striving to make the world a better place.
The first recipient of the new award is Dani Wasserman, 17, a senior at University City High School.
“Dani has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to social change through InvestNow Clubs, an organization she founded during her freshman year,” the organization wrote about Wasserman on social media. “InvestNow aims to improve financial literacy at the high school level, targeting traditionally marginalized communities as a pathway to greater economic equality.”
Recently, Wasserman, an alumna of Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School, was honored with the Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Award, which recognizes up to 15 Jewish teens around the country for “their leadership efforts to change the world.”
“We are particularly impressed by how you’ve coupled your Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Award to further uplift your community by investing back into the University City School District,” Perine wrote in a letter to Wasserman, informing her she was the recipient of the new award. “Your aim to infuse financial literacy throughout all educational levels in your community aligns perfectly with our mission to develop leaders and changemakers who can build a more equitable society.”
Perine wrote the award honors Wasserman’s “commitment to justice and equality. Your work echoes the values of tikkun olam, which at its core is about repairing the world. The Tzedakah Youth Leadership Award not only celebrates your past and current accomplishments but also stands as an encouragement for the incredible work we know you will continue to accomplish.”
Wasserman was presented the Tzedakah Youth Leadership Award on Thursday evening, Oct. 19, at the “Leading the Way: Red Carpet” event at the City Foundry.
