Together for the first time since many started a new school year, the Newark cohort of Aspen Young Leaders Fellows unpacked the essence of innovation, revisited social venture projects, continued to deepen relationships, and refined observational skills in the fourth session of their Fellowship experience.

Guided by materials including Franklin D. Roosevelt’s First  Inaugural Address, Ronald Reagan’s Address on the Space Shuttle “Challenger,” and Golden Globe and Oscar-nominated film Hidden Figures, Fellows were charged with paying particular attention to how they learn, consider new perspectives, and grow while exploring program design tenets of curiosity, clarity, and skill.

In depth exploration of the design thinking process helped Fellows map many of the skills they have begun building to the work they want to do in their communities. Reminding them of the importance of each step along the path to maximum impact (i.e. inquire/interpret, integrate, ideate/iterate, impact), facilitators asked Fellows to reflect on Fellowship experiences to date that have involved a design thinking process.

Read the full article about developing youth leaders in Newark at The Aspen Institute.