Baltimore Nonprofit Transforms Youth Career Empowerment Through Innovation and Partnership

Nationwide (USANews) Islamic Leadership Institute of America (ILIA) has announced the launch of its 2025 EmpoweReer cohort, continuing a long-term initiative focused on career readiness and leadership development for youth across the United States. The launch highlights the growth of ILIA’s EmpoweReer program, which began in 2011 with three middle school students in a small office in Ellicott City, Maryland, and has since developed into a program with multi-regional participation and sustained community partnerships.

Founded in 2009, ILIA is a 501c(3) nonprofit organization rooted in Islamic principles and values,centered on developing purpose-driven leaders from underserved and underrepresented populations. The organization integrates mentorship, service, education, and advocacy to support young people in cultivating skills for community impact and personal development.

The 2025 cohort marks the fourth consecutive year EmpoweReer has been offered in the Greater Baltimore region. The program provides individualized support for young adults through a combination of career exploration, emotional wellness, and real-world engagement. Participants gain practical experience through service learning, professional coaching, and project-based assignments in diverse community contexts.

The program has garnered positive feedback from participants and families over the years. In previous sessions, parents and students have commented on the personal development outcomes experienced during the program’s six-week duration. One participant compared the initiative to a value of social repair and civic responsibility, highlighting its role in fostering youth contributions to their communities. While personal views may vary, the organization cites such feedback as indicative of the program’s impact on student engagement.

ILIA distinguishes itself through a youth-led model, positioning young individuals not just as learners but as designers and leaders of programming. Youth are involved in planning, governance, and implementation, ensuring that their perspectives are central to the organization’s mission. Program activities have included partnerships with correctional institutions, environmental initiatives, and collaborations with local schools and municipal agencies.

The EmpoweReer program reflects ILIA’s broader approach to youth development, emphasizing a long-term trajectory rather than short-term events. Participants often continue to engage with the organization beyond the initial cohort, returning as peer mentors, trainers, or program contributors. This cyclical model supports the sustainability of ILIA’s mission and provides continuity for alumni development.

In addition to direct youth services, ILIA works with other institutions to strengthen youth-focused initiatives across sectors. These include consulting support for nonprofit organizations, training for educators, and co-designed programming with community-based groups. This aspect of ILIA’s work allows it to serve both individual participants and the broader infrastructure that supports youth engagement.

Over the past sixteen years, the organization has invested more than $1.5 million toward youth-focused efforts. Recognition has come from various institutions, including municipal offices and local education authorities, acknowledging the organization’s efforts in civic engagement and leadership training. These acknowledgments speak to ILIA’s operational presence and its ability to form effective partnerships with public and private stakeholders.

Media coverage has also highlighted ILIA’s work. Outlets such as WMAR-TV, FOX45, CTV News, The Baltimore Times, and MuslimLink have featured stories on the organization’s programs, youth leaders, and partnerships. One segment initially intended as critical coverage resulted in increased public visibility, prompting wider awareness of ILIA’s mission and activities.

Chief Empowerment Officer Ayman Nassar, who founded ILIA in 2009, has led the organization since its inception. With a background in youth mentorship and engineering, Nassar developed ILIA as a response to the need for integrated leadership pathways grounded in ethical and civic responsibility. Under his guidance, ILIA has prioritized accessibility, youth voice, and values-based action across its programming.

While ILIA’s programs are grounded in Islamic ethics, participation is open to youth of all backgrounds. The organization emphasizes inclusivity in its curriculum and community engagement model, encouraging diverse participation in both faith-based and secular contexts. This structure supports intercultural collaboration and broadens the scope of youth who can benefit from ILIA’s services.

The 2025 EmpoweReer cohort builds on this inclusive and developmental foundation. With tailored learning journeys that include academic support, vocational exploration, and personal coaching, the program continues to adapt to the changing needs of youth and the communities they serve. Participants work alongside peers and mentors to develop skills in leadership, emotional intelligence, and community planning.

ILIA reports that alumni of the program have gone on to pursue careers in medicine, public service, entrepreneurship, and community organizing. These trajectories underscore the program’s emphasis on real-world application and long-term development. Rather than focusing solely on immediate outcomes, ILIA seeks to create sustained opportunities for growth and civic participation.

One very important change this year is the mention of the program’s two funders, Baltimore’s Promise, Baltimore Children and Youth Foundation (BCYF), and Baltimore’s YouthWorks, who are jointly funding the 2025 EmpoweReer cohort. All three organizations have done phenomenal work in Baltimore City, and their partnership with ILIA underscores their commitment to supporting youth empowerment and leadership in the region. “The collaboration with Baltimore’s Promise, BCYF, and YouthWorks further strengthens our shared vision of uplifting youth in Baltimore and helping them develop the skills they need for a successful future,” said Ayman Nassar, Chief Empowerment Officer at ILIA.

By continuing to develop and refine the EmpoweReer program, ILIA maintains its focus on equipping young people with the tools and confidence to navigate contemporary challenges. As the organization enters its 16th year of service, its work reflects an ongoing effort to support ethical, community-minded leadership that spans beyond traditional educational environments.

Further details about ILIA and its programs are available through the following links:

 EmpoweRer
Baltimore Regional Site
Main Website
LinkedIn
Instagram
Google Reviews

About Islamic Leadership Institute of America (ILIA) 

ILIA is a 501c(3) nonprofit, dedicated to youth development and leadership education across America. Our mission is to inspire and nurture youth leaders, empowering them to address community needs through experiential programs, self-initiated projects, and impactful contributions. Over the years we touched the lives of over 8,000+ youth from diverse backgrounds and partnered with 200+ organizations in the public, nonprofit and private sectors. To learn more about ILIA, visit us at https://www.islamicleadership.org