Through SRBWI Young Women's Leadership programs girls and young women participate in local, state and regional activities and gatherings and enhance their path to adulthood as productive, creative individuals committed to economic and social justice. 

Participants attend SRBWI gatherings and public policy and advocacy trainings and informational session on issues impacting young women such as HIV/AIDS and school reform.  

The Unita Blackwell Young Women’s Leadership Institute honoring the legacy of the first Black woman elected mayor in the state of Mississippi is attended each year by 100 young women ages 14-19 who apply from SRBWI target counties. The 6-day challenging intensive engages selected participants in interactive activities designed to enhance their leadership potential and understanding of Human Rights advocacy strategy and tactics and provides opportunities to learn the rich cultural, historic and political legacy of southern black women .

Since 2005, well over 600 young graduates and their mentors have had hands on learning experiences from Fashion Design to African and African American Dance to Spoken Word and to forums on how Hip Hop and Media Images impact young women’s self image.   

SRBWI's “New Visions” digital storytelling apprenticeship training, conducted annually at the Institute, mentors 15 young women in film making and storytelling focused on issues of importance to them and their communities and enables them to learn marketable skills.