OXFORD, Miss. (WTVA) -- They are the leaders of tomorrow.
At least that's the plan for a group of young people who are deep in the trenches training for that day.
A unique summer camp on the campus of the University of Mississippi has attracted the best and brightest with ambitious plans for the future.
Moments from now, high school juniors and seniors will take center stage.
Each will explain how they want to give back to their communities in the form of community service.
It's has to be brief, heartfelt and convincing.
Among them will be Malik Pridgeon.
He plans to start an organization called We the People, Inc.
"It's about empowering tomorrows leaders today and to have a voice that exclaims democracy, advocacy, and acclamation. It's a chance to speak to our elected officials unwaveringly and boldly about change in our community," Pridgeon said.
The William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation sponsors this leadership program.
Included are all the essentials such as how to raise funds, write grants, public speaking and study of Mississippi's civil rights history.
"Most importantly, they are learning how to build relationships and build trust across various kinds of lines so that they can also support each other when they go back there," Executive Director Susan Glisson said.
"Instead of assuming things about people, I've learned a lot about myself and there is more to me than just meets the eye," McComb native Zacchaeus McEwen said.
"You learn a lot from it and I'm going to take away that I'm not the only person who thinks the way I do," Tupelo native Warner King said.
"This is an opportunity not a lot of people get, but I want to make sure that they take this and make the most of it because these kids have the most potential of any kids I have ever seen," William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation Associate Director Charles Tucker said.
"We want to just bring our community together around community service-to make our community a better place," Oxford native Hunter Pace said.
