ECYP focuses on preparing students in Maryland’s 7th congressional district to serve as open-minded leaders with the skills, community ties, and global exposure critical to success in a diverse society. All programming is influenced by the longstanding relationship between Congressman Cummings and the Baltimore Jewish Council.

Each fellow begins the program as a junior in high school and must go through the program’s two year, three step process:

1. Leadership Development

2. The Israel Experience (summer between junior and senior year)

3. Community Service

A generous gift in memory of Jerold C. Hoffberger provides for ECYP Fellows to participate in two years of hands-on leadership enhancement workshops and events that occur afterschool and during the summer.

At the start of ECYP’s program in the fall, Fellows think deeply and critically about their personal identity and reflect on how that impacts those around them. Fellows then attend the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) in September. The CBC is considered the premier African-American conference on policy issues. Fellows have the opportunity to meet with ECYP’s honorary chair, Congressman Mfume and engage in sessions lead by Black leaders from across the country.

Throughout the rest of their leadership development, Fellows then meet once or twice a month to participate in leadership activities that focus on:

• Life management skills
• Global awareness
• Social/political activism skills
• Self-Awareness
• Diversity
• African-American and Jewish Relations
• Holocaust remembrance

Sample Field Trips and Special Events

Social justice training, meeting with representatives at and touring the US Capitol, Maryland State House, and visiting Baltimore City Hall.

ECYP and Baltimore Jewish Council’s BLEWS Partnership

The Baltimore Jewish Council (BJC) and ECYP team up in a fellow’s second year for a year-long program that builds relationships between teens of various faiths and ethnic backgrounds to prepare them to serve as community ambassadors on diversity and inclusion. At the end of a fellow’s second year in the program, they will be able to facilitate conversations among their peer groups on racism, anti-Semitism, diversity and social justice.

Public Speaking

ECYP Fellows work with Stoop Storytelling to learn how to tell their stories. Through Stoop’s powerful process students gain the skills and confidence to tell powerful stories about their experience in ECYP including their trip to Israel. Fellows use what their storytelling skills to speak in their communities about the importance of empathy and diversity.

Sample speaking venues include the W.E.B. DuBois Circle, the Congressional Black Caucus, 100 Black Men of America, the Hispanic Youth Institute Diversity Day, and the Jewish Teen Leadership Council. Fellows also engage dozens of church and synagogue congregations.