Social change is extremely important in our world due to its ability to transform cultural and social institutions. GIYLS promotes social change by bringing together over hundreds of students and adults from low to middle income countries around the world and creating a difference.
Vedavyas Jampanaboyana, a 17-year-old from Pennsylvania, and Reuben Reeves, a 19-year-old from Liberia, Africa, are the founders of the Global Innovation Youth Leaders Summit (GIYLS). Vedavyas and Reuben noticed how youth in developing countries were not given the same opportunities than those who lived in developed countries. They first had the idea to build an organization that specifically helped fund young start-ups, but then later wanted to build a platform for individuals to cause social change within communities among the world. In order to do this, the founders decided to host a summit. Summits would be hosted annually in developing countries. From the growth of the organization, GIYLS was able to build social change not only through their summits, but through their entrepreneurial platform as well.
GIYLS promotes and creates ideas for social and entrepreneurial change of any kind by bringing together students from around the world, especially disadvantaged students with lack of opportunity, giving them a platform for collaboration and community. The organization is currently registered under the State of Pennsylvania and is working toward
a 501 (c)(3) status.
Vedavyas and Reuben were able to successfully have a summit a few months ago that had a great turnout. Many of the members who attended the organization's summit are currently running their own initiatives in their communities. Through their organization, over 120 innovative ideas have been discussed, over 500 people have been influenced, and they have impacted over five countries. A few months after the summit, they were even able to add more leaders to the team, including a CMO, Head of PR, and a Marketing and Media Specialist. Recently, they hosted a virtual diversity concert to raise funds for Coronavirus relief. They were able to raise over $600 from their concert that had 16 artists and over 1,000 views.
GIYLS is currently trying to build more opportunities for youth around the world and tentatively raise funds to support their projects. GIYLS have many future projects that they are excited about. The organization is trying to expand and reach more potential members through their ambassador/expansion program.
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Below are the team's Instagram handles.
Vedavyas Jampanaboyana: @vj_1479
Reuban Reeves: @ree_ves1
Manogna Jonnalagadda: @manognaj114
Shraddha Subash: @sshradd