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 (scroll down to 👀 sessions):
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
We also don't want geography to be a barrier. Travel support + gas stipends are available, and we're coordinating carpools from several parts of the state.
SUMMIT PROGRAM
Here’s a snapshot of the day. We’ll be sharing more leading into the Summit!
FINDING YOUR POLITICAL IDENTITY: Forget the labels for a minute. What actually matters to YOU?
What actually matters to YOU?!?
Through a hands-on creative activity, you’ll explore the experiences, people, places, and issues that have shaped how you see the world and create your own “political identity” that’s actually YOURS!
HOW CHANGE HAPPENS: LESSONS FROM SOUTH CAROLINA HISTORY: Grab your detective hat. We’ve got some investigating to do. 🔎
South Carolina history is full of ordinary people who organized, took risks, challenged the status quo, and changed our state - but you probably haven't heard all of their stories.
You'll investigate three lesser-known movements from South Carolina's past to uncover how they organized, what worked, what didn't, and what their wins can teach us about creating change today.
History class this is not.
BUILDING PEOPLE POWER: HOW ORGANIZING ACTUALLY WORKS: Ever wondered how a group of people goes from “this isn't right” to actually changing something?
We're breaking down how organizing turns frustration into action — and action into power.
We'll start with a real fight happening in South Carolina right now. Our friends at Southern Coalition for Social Justice & SOLVE will take us inside the fight over redistricting, what recent court decisions mean for South Carolina voters, and how people are organizing in response.
Then it's your turn. You'll learn and practice the building blocks of community organizing — the skills you can use to bring people together, build power, and create change where you live.
ELECTIONS & VOTING 101: THE GAME SHOW UP: SURVEY SAYS... you probably know more about elections than you think.
We’ll break into teams and tackle the questions, myths, rules, and weird little details that make elections work. You'll leave knowing more about voting and elections in South Carolina — but first, you're going to have to beat the other team.
Buzzer hands ready!
YOU CAN’T POUR FROM AN EMPTY CUP - COMMUNITY CARE & BURNOUT: You care a lot (that’s why you’re in the room). But caring about everything, all the time? That's exhausting and overwhelming.
Creating change shouldn't require running yourself into the ground.
This session gives you the space and permission to slow down as we get real about burnout, what drains us, and why taking care of ourselves and each other is part of doing this work for the long haul.
You'll leave with practical tools for building community, setting boundaries, finding joy, and making your work for change more sustainable.
ELECTIONS ON TRIAL: ALL RISE. South Carolina's elections are headed to court — and you're deciding the verdict.
In this interactive mock trial-like activation, you'll become the lawyers, witnesses, jurors, and judges as we put elections themselves on trial.
You'll investigate how elections actually work, examine the barriers voters can face, hear the evidence, make your case, and ultimately decide:
INNOCENT or GUILTY
Court is officially in session.
CREATIVE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT OUTSIDE THE (BALLOT) BOX: Elections are important, but they aren't the only way you can create change in your community!
In this hands-on session, we're getting creative. You'll experiment with ways to bring people together, tell stories, make some noise, build community, and move people to action — using art, creativity, connection, and maybe a few ideas you haven't thought of before.
YOUNG VISIONARY COMMITTEE
Your peers helping shape the 2026 Summit!
The Visionary Committee Fellows are a diverse team of young South Carolinians who have been working alongside the Be The Ones team since June to plan and lead the Young Leaders Summit. 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.
We cannot wait to be in the room with you on October 3rd!
Your Fellows + Friends,
Brooklyn, Jaylynn, Luke, Malachi, Natasha, Roni, Rory, Zenya
FAQs
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Any South Carolinian between the ages of 16-30 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.