About the Foundation

Junior Leadership Southeast Texas allows 11^th grade area students to enhance their skills and knowledge base and encourages them to remain in, or return to, our area following graduation. This unique program includes six all-day sessions throughout the school year on topics such as Leadership Skills, Public Safety, Arts & Community, Local Government, Economic Development, Healthcare, and then concludes with a graduation dinner for high school juniors in the Beaumont Area. The sessions involve speakers, field trips, and events to enhance student’s knowledge of our area.

The Mentorship Program partners mentees with mentors who are selected to meet their individual needs. The program lasts nine months. Participant mentorship pairs attended six events. In addition to Orientation and Graduation, the participants take six field trips to various agencies throughout Southeast Texas to learn about the area. They also can attend “Professional Development Trainings” that educate on important business topics of our day. Nominations and applications are reviewed by the Mentorship Committee for participation each year.

Leadership Beaumont is a nine-month community awareness and leadership development program. Leadership Beaumont began in 1971 and is the oldest community leadership program in the state of Texas. The program begins in September with a full day opening session and concludes with graduation in May. Twenty-five to forty applicants are accepted into the program each year. Graduation is a celebration of the Leadership Beaumont participants and the reunion of Leadership Beaumont alumni! Sponsorships to underwrite the cost of the program are contributions to the Beaumont Chamber Foundation, a 501c3 TAX DEDUCIBLE organization.

What has Leadership Beaumont accomplished?

Since 1971 more than 1,700 leaders have graduated the program, many of whom now are civic and business leaders across Southeast Texas, the state of Texas, and the nation. Some of the long-standing programs, events and initiatives that came from the program include:

• Created Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA of Southeast Texas)
• The downtown Beaumont 4th of July Celebration
• 8^th Grade Youth Leadership
• Leadership Southeast Texas
• The Public Service Candidate Workshop
• “Noon Tunes” and Brown Bag lunches in downtown
• Beaumont Relief Program
• “Suits for Success” Program
• Southeast Texas Young Professional Organization
• Fundraisers Established- Spice of the Season and Beaumont Chamber Foundation Golf Tournament
• Implemented “Planet K12” – a website for youth activity, interests and communications
• Beaumont City Ordinance on Bike Path
• And innumerable other beneficial contributions to the community.

And we continue to strive to positively impact our community every year.