Jadayah Spencer

Jadayah Spencer is a prominent youth leader and advocate for improving access to opportunities for young people, particularly those of African descent and indigenous communities worldwide. She currently serves as the Executive Director of the International Youth Leadership Institute (IYLI).16

Professional Background

Jadayah's journey with IYLI began in 2010 when she became an IYLI fellow and participated in the 2011 Summer Fellowship Program in Tanzania. Since then, she has taken on various roles within the organization, including volunteer, board member, and group leader.1

In addition to her work at IYLI, Jadayah holds several influential positions:

• Co-Chair of the UN DPI/NGO Youth Representative Steering Committee1
• Member of the New York City Young Women's Advisory Council1
• Co-Chair of the Youth Sub-Committee for the International Civil Society Working Group (ICSW) for the Permanent Forum for People of African Descent at the United Nations

Education and Achievements

Jadayah began her undergraduate studies at New York University at the age of 16 as a Dean's Scholar. She majored in anthropology with double minors in Social Entrepreneurship and Mandarin Chinese.1

Her accomplishments include:

• Recipient of fellowships such as StartingBloc1
• Recognition as one of 40 Under 40 Rising Stars in the NYC Non-Profit Sector by New York Nonprofit Media1
• Known as one of the brightest minds and personalities among emerging leaders on an international platform2

Personal Interests

A native of Brooklyn, New York, Jadayah is passionate about:

• World travel
• Engaging in meaningful conversations
• Analyzing rap lyrics1

Jadayah Spencer is committed to fostering inter-generational change and creating spaces for young people to have their voices heard, particularly in preparation for events like the 3rd Permanent Forum for People of African Descent.5 Her work focuses on empowering youth through storytelling and leadership development, contributing to a more just, fair, and equitable world.34