Thought Piece: We, the Possibility: Reflections from the Young American Leaders Program at Harvard

By: Bailey Rivera-Wymes

Last month, I had the opportunity to attend the Young American Leaders Program (YALP) at Harvard Business School, a powerful gathering of cross-sector leaders from ten U.S. cities who are all working toward one common goal: creating more just, thriving communities.

Launched in 2015, YALP is rooted in the idea that the challenges our cities face: economic disparity, civic fragmentation, and declining trust can’t be solved in silos. The program brings together leaders from business, government, nonprofits, and education to explore how collaboration across sectors can drive shared prosperity. Not just prosperity for some, but for all.

Throughout the week, we dove deep into questions that have stuck with me:

• Success and prosperity for whom?

• Who is responsible for the commons?

• What does it mean to think in probabilities versus possibilities?
  

We reflected on how too often, solutions are designed without asking the people closest to the problems how they would like to solve them. We talked about the importance of telling stories that bring people together rather than divide, and how we can frame our differences into sources of strength.

One quote from the week has been echoing in my head ever since:
“We, the possibility.”

That phrase reframes everything. It reminds me that possibility doesn’t lie out there, somewhere; it lies within us, collectively. We can work to cultivate a culture of collaboration, rooted in hope and accountability.

This experience has made me even more committed to building cross-sector partnerships in my own city, ones that center community voice, tap into local talent, and foster belonging. Because shared prosperity is not just an economic goal, it’s a moral one. And it’s one we can only reach together.

Want to learn more about YALP?

The Young American Leaders Program is a Harvard Business School initiative designed to strengthen U.S. competitiveness by equipping rising leaders with the tools, relationships, and frameworks needed to tackle complex civic challenges. Each year, the program convenes teams from U.S. cities that are actively working to build inclusive economic growth through cross-sector collaboration.