We’re bringing together South Carolina’s passionate young leaders to learn, lead, and build civic power (and have some fun together!)
Whether you’re already leading change or just starting to explore how you can make a difference, you belong here!
Join us on Saturday, October 3rd in Charleston to level up your organizing game, boost advocacy skills, and learn how to use your voice and power on issues you care about the most. Free food, cool swag, and so much more!
Get hyped for a day packed with hands-on workshops, new connections, and the tools you need to spark change in your community.
EVENT DETAILS:
WHEN: Sat. October 3, 2026 I 10am-4pm
WHERE: North Charleston, SC (location shared upon RSVP)
WHO: South Carolinians between 16-30
WHAT TO EXPECT (speakers & sessions announced soon):
Workshops & Skill-Building: Real tools and strategies for organizing, advocacy, and creative problem-solving
Young Leaders on the Mic: Hear directly from peers across SC about their experiences leading change and their own civic participation journeys
Collaborative Projects: Work together to design solutions to real barriers young people face in civic participation using creativity, curiosity, and vision
Community & Fun: Food, games, music, swag, and a welcoming and inclusive space to connect with other young leaders from across the state
Don’t wait and save your spot now! This event has a capacity limit & anticipate reaching capacity, so don’t wait and sign up now!
YOUNG VISIONARY COMMITTEE FELLOWSHIP
Help shape the 2026 Summit!
The Visionary Committee Fellows are a diverse team of young South Carolinians who help plan and lead the Young Leaders Summit alongside the Be The Ones team. The Visionary Fellowship is a paid leadership opportunity for young South Carolinians ages 17–30. Fellows are responsible for co-creating the summit experience, will build relationships with other young leaders, strengthen organizing and facilitation skills, and help bring more young people into civic power.
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED! We’ll be announcing our 2026 Fellows very soon!
ALL VISIONARY FELLOWS WILL:
These are the requirements for the fellowship.
Attend the Young Leaders Summit on Saturday, October 3rd in Charleston, SC
Attend monthly Visionary Fellow team meetings
Tuesday, June 30, 11am-1pm (virtual)
Tuesday, July 28, 11am-1pm (virtual)
Saturday, August 29, 10:30am-3:00pm (in person in Columbia, travel stipends provided for those not located in Columbia)
Tuesday, September 22, 5:30pm -7:30pm (virtual)
Friday, October 2, 5pm (in person in Charleston for event setup + group dinner)
Have individual, virtual check-ins monthly with Be The Ones Program Director (to be coordinated around your schedule)
Facilitate or co-facilitate a session at Young Leaders Summit
Turn out at least five young leaders to Young Leaders Summit
Receive a $500 stipend upon completion of Visionary Fellowship!
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Applicants must be between the ages of 17 and 30 by October 3, 2026
Applicants must live in South Carolina (if you’re from another state but attend school in South Carolina, we count this as living in South Carolina)
Applicants must be available to attend an in-person planning retreat in Columbia, SC on August 29 (gas stipends available), as well as the other virtual planning sessions listed above
Applicants must be available to attend the Young Leaders Summit in person in Charleston on October 3 (gas stipends available)
HOW TO APPLY / THE PROCESS:
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until Tuesday, June 2nd; we encourage you to turn in your application as soon as possible. All applicants will be notified by email by Tuesday, June 9th.
The short application should not take you more than 15 minutes to complete.
Applicants from marginalized or underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to apply.
FAQs
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Any South Carolinian between the ages of 17-30 years old, regardless of where you call home in the state. While we love all members of our community, it’s important that we create spaces where young voters and leaders can gather, learn from each other, and be in community.
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We recognize that traveling to Charleston may be a barrier for some folks that do not live in the area. Thanks to our generous community, we’re able to provide up to 30 attendees with gas cards to reimburse for travel to and from Charleston. Gas cards will be given on a first come-first serve basis. Should we receive additional funding, we intend to expand this opportunity as needed. Unfortunately, we are not able to cover flights or accommodations at this time. If you have a significant financial barrier and need additional assistance, or if you have questions, please send our Program Director, Anna Long, an email at anna@betheones.org. We’ll do what we can to work with you.
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Whether you have advocated or organized in some capacity, or if this is your first time attending an event like this and you’re just dipping your toes in the water, you are welcome!
You do not need to be registered to vote or hold voting eligible status to join this event.
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Epically fun! There will be trainings, workshops, group discussions, activities, games, and collaborative working and brainstorming activities. There will also be opportunities to get crafty, move, eat, and have some fun together.
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Of course! Lunch will be provided and there will be snacks, treats and drinks for you to enjoy over the course of the day. If you have dietary restrictions, please let us know in the RSVP form so we can be sure to accommodate.
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Yes, RSVP is required to attend. We need to ensure we have enough food, event materials, swag and other materials to accommodate everyone that attends.
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Please do! One of the coolest parts of this event is that it was an idea that was born out of several young leaders involved with Be The Ones who started talking to their friends and, well, here we are! Please feel free to extend the invite to your friends, family or other members of your peer groups and community.
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The SC Young Leaders Summit is hosted by Be The Ones, a South Carolina-based grassroots nonprofit organization focused on making civic engagement more accessible and joyful. The Summit is a nonpartisan event. Be The Ones and any affiliated event partners do not support or endorse any political candidate or party.
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We’d love to hear from you. Please send Anna Long, our Program Director, an email at anna@betheones.org and they’ll be in touch.
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Let’s chat! Please send Anna Long, our Program Director, an email at anna@betheones.org and they’ll be in touch.
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Hooray and THANK YOU! Send an email to Cate Mayer (Be The Ones Founder/Director) at: cate@betheones.org.
For press inquiries and coverage, email Cate Mayer: cate@betheones.org
EVENT HOSTS:
BE THE ONES is a nonpartisan grassroots organization building healthier communities, a more equitable democracy, and expanding power by removing barriers to local civic participation across the Southeast. Be The Ones is changing the culture of voting in South Carolina and established a track record of engaging & energizing voters (especially young people!) in fun, creative, and accessible ways.
Learn more at betheones.org and follow our work on Instagram , Facebook , Twitter.
The South Carolina Young Leaders Summit is a nonpartisan event. Be The Ones, along with event partners and affiliated organizations do not support or endorse any political party or candidate.
INVEST IN YOUNG LEADERS:
Young South Carolinians are not our future. They are our now. And, they deserve our energy and investment. We’ would be extremely grateful if you’d consider making a tax-deductible donation to support the SC Young Leaders Summit and our continued work supporting, training, and investing in young South Carolinians and their communities.