1Berkshire is excited to announce that it is one of six organizations selected nationally to participate in the inaugural cohort of the Rural Youth Leaders (RYL) program.

In partnership with Partners for Rural Impact and Clear Creek Creative, the fellowship provides each selected team with leadership training grounded in creative arts and cultural traditions, mentorship, a stipend of $2,500 for each youth fellow, and $10,000 to support the capacity of the cultural steward and the nominating organization. In turn, the fellows will design and implement a community-building initiative of the youth’s own design, and share access to a national peer network of youth participants and cultural stewards.

The journey began with a leadership retreat held this fall at the Alex Haley Farm in Clinton, Tennessee, where youth leaders and cultural stewards from six teams (Pasifika Pathways from Alaska, United Way Muscatine County from Iowa, Southwest Mississippi Multiplex, East Tennessee Artscapes, 1Berkshire from Massachusetts, Theater Up from New Hampshire) gathered for orientation and program launch. “Being in Tennessee reminded me how powerful community and creativity can be when they collide,” stated Alexandra Bills, youth leader on the 1Berkshire Team. Following the retreat, the cohort will participate in the national 2026 Rural Summit for Cradle‑to‑Career Success convening scheduled for April 12-15, 2026 in Buffalo, New York.

The 1Berkshire team will create “The Berkshire Inspiration Lab,” a youth-led storytelling project by student photographer Ryan Keating of Williamstown and student writer Alexandra Bills of Pittsfield, supported by cultural steward Lani Willmar, climate-justice educator and Economic Recovery Corps (ERC) fellow at 1Berkshire. Ryan Keating notes “My time spent in the Rural Youth Leaders Fellowship so far has re-centered me as a social and environmental leader by addressing the power I have as an individual.” The project will capture the stories of local businesses, artists, and youth leaders working on environmental stewardship and creative community vitality through spotlight interviews. The stories will be shared across 1Berkshire’s social media, website, local media partners, and communication to their network of 700+ members.

Ben Lamb, 1Berkshire Vice President of Economic Development notes “We are excited at how this opportunity reinforces 1Berkshire’s commitment to empowering youth voice, career exploration, and fostering locally driven inspiration across our rural and gateway communities” he adds, “It advances regional goals of supporting climate resilience, workforce development, and inclusive leadership, giving students a platform to lead and to highlight deeply rooted regional change-makers.”

For more information, visit 1Berkshire.com, ruralyouthleaders.org or contact the 1Berkshire Economic Development team at EconomicDev@1Berkshire.com