The 2025 MBYLI Application will open on March 24, 2025-April 25, 2025.
To apply for the MBYLI Program, please ensure that you complete all the necessary steps required for the MBSYEP Program:
- Submit your MBSYEP application by March 6, 2025.
- The MBSYEP certification period closes on March 22, 2025.
- MBSYEP Orientation will begin on April 14, 2025.
The Marion Barry Youth Leadership Institute (MBYLI) was re-designated in honor of the late Councilmember and former Mayor Marion S. Barry, Jr. This rebranding pays tribute to his lasting legacy in shaping youth leadership and empowering future generations in the District of Columbia.
Founded in 1979, MBYLI began as a year-round program designed to train young people in the District of Columbia in leadership and self-development. Over the years, MBYLI has evolved into a premier leadership development program that emphasizes hands-on experience, practical training, and a holistic approach to cultivating leaders who are ready to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
Each year, the program serves 100 in its year-round training sessions and engages 400 additional youth through its Summer Training Program. To date, thousands of DC youth have benefited from leadership training, gaining the skills needed to thrive in their academic, personal, and professional lives.
MBYLI proudly serves youth from diverse ethnic, cultural, and economic backgrounds, reflecting the vibrant and varied demographics of the District of Columbia. Leadership development begins at age 14 and continues through age 18, when youth participants are equipped to pursue higher education, other post-secondary opportunities, or even launch their own businesses. The program is grounded in the belief that effective leadership is learned through experience and engagement with the community.
The program is actively supported by its Alumni Association, a dynamic group that meets regularly to foster ongoing support and collaboration for the Institute’s initiatives.
MBYLI’s Leadership Training Programs Include:
- MBYLI Youth Government: A platform for youth to engage in civic leadership and policy-making.
- Community Engagement: Opportunities to participate in and lead service projects that positively impact local communities.
- MBYLI Global Education Program: A program aimed at broadening the global perspectives of youth through cultural exchanges and learning experiences.
- Entrepreneurship: Training and resources to help young people develop business skills and entrepreneurial mindsets.
- Overnight Residential Training: Leadership training experiences held on local college campuses to provide youth with exposure to post-secondary environments.
- Post-Secondary Education Support: Guidance and resources to ensure youth are prepared for college or other educational paths after high school.
- The MBYLI Program continues to make a profound impact on young lives, empowering the next generation of leaders to take action, drive change, and contribute to the betterment of their communities.