The Jeter's Leaders Leadership Conference is composed of workshops that the Jeter's Leaders create based on topics they feel are affecting teens today. Bi-annually, the leaders from New York and Kalamazoo host the conference for other youth leadership programs throughout the United States to inspire social change.
2023 recap
High School Students from Derek Jeter’s Turn 2 Foundation Convene in Atlanta to Create Social Change
Jeter’s Leaders Leadership Summit presented by Goldman Sachs featured powerful discussion with Derek Jeter, Swin Cash and Breland moderated by Torae Carr, and empowering talk by Tylik McMillan
Derek Jeter, Sharlee Jeter, Turn 2’s Jeter’s Leaders & Goldman Sachs Community TeamWorks partnered with United Way of Greater Atlanta for service project benefitting local students attending Title I Schools in Atlanta
Atlanta, Ga. – Aug. 2, 2023 – High school students from Derek Jeter’s Turn 2 Foundation’s Jeter’s Leaders program gathered with Derek Jeter and Turn 2 President Sharlee Jeter to ignite social change during the 2023 Jeter’s Leaders Leadership Summit presented by Goldman Sachs. The summit featured a panel discussion focused on leadership, the importance of giving back and rising above peer pressure, empowering conversations about issues critical to young people and an impactful community service project.
"The impact of this event extends far beyond these four days in Atlanta. Our students have gained new perspectives and seen the difference they can make as youth leaders, and as they return home, they are bringing a drive with them to continue creating positive change in their local communities,” said Derek Jeter. “Our Jeter’s Leaders serve as incredible role models for other young people, and I am so proud of their teamwork, passion and commitment.”
The Jeter’s Leaders Leadership Summit kicked off with team building activities on Sunday, July 30, at The Whitley Hotel. The following day, the Jeter’s Leaders ventured into the city to visit several landmarks including The King Center, Centennial Olympic Park and World of Coca-Cola, where they learned about the city’s history. After sightseeing, Sharlee Jeter and Managing Director of Goldman Sachs Carl Peoples welcomed the students. Following, Jeter’s Leaders alumni Fatima Ndiaye, Jordan Pierre, Clifford Pulley III and Havier DaiVon participated in a panel moderated by New York Jeter’s Leaders Program Coordinator and Jeter’s Leaders alumna Karina Ortega, where they shared their college and career journeys after graduating from the program and how they continue to promote social change.
During the four-day event, Turn 2 hosted a powerful panel featuring: two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, three-time WNBA Champion, Basketball Hall of Famer and Vice President of Basketball Operations & Team Development for the New Orleans Pelicans Swin Cash; Platinum-selling singer, songwriter and record producer Breland; and Derek Jeter. Moderated by emcee, songwriter, actor and host Torae Carr, the discussion focused on the panelists’ career journeys, the importance of giving back, how they use their voices to stand up for important causes and how young people can remain focused on their goals.
“Young people aren’t just leaders of our future, they are leaders today – and this event is a testament to how the youth we serve can break barriers, take their place at the forefront of change and have a meaningful impact,” said Sharlee Jeter. “Our Jeter’s Leaders shined as true champions for social change this week and I know this is only the beginning for them. I’d like to thank our incredible panelists and speakers for sharing invaluable guidance with our students, and to our partners and sponsors for collaborating with us to create a wonderful event that will leave a lasting mark on the youth in our programs.”
Following the panel, Derek Jeter and Sharlee Jeter teamed up with the Jeter’s Leaders and Goldman Sachs Community TeamWorks for a community service project in partnership with United Way of Greater Atlanta. The group worked together to package 750 snack packs, which included STEM enrichment toys and healthy snacks, and 250 backpacks filled with school supplies and hand-designed bookmarks for students attending Title I Schools in Atlanta. City of Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens attended the service project and thanked Turn 2 for supporting the local community.
“I was proud to attend Turn 2’s Jeter’s Leaders Leadership Summit along with my colleagues to represent our firm, but even more so to honor and support the thousands of students who have come through the Foundation’s programs,” Peoples said. “We have been aligned with Turn 2 for decades and are grateful to the Foundation for allowing us to witness how this program changes students’ lives while building a better future for our communities.”
The Jeter’s Leaders Leadership Summit culminated on Wednesday, Aug. 2, with a conversation led by Civil Rights Activist and Movement Strategist Tylik McMillan, who discussed his professional journey and the importance of promoting social change with the Jeter’s Leaders.
This year’s Jeter’s Leaders Leadership Summit sponsors included: Goldman Sachs, GoGo squeeZ, RXBAR and Haddad Brands.
Turn 2’s signature initiative, Jeter’s Leaders is an intensive four-year program for high school students who serve as ambassadors for Derek Jeter in their communities. Established by Jeter in 1996, the Foundation motivates youth to rise above negative influences, lead healthy lifestyles and serve as agents of positive social change. For the past 16 consecutive years, 100 percent of Jeter’s Leaders have gone on to attend college after high school.