— PROJECT U
Project U seeks to create a ripple effect: by fostering self-aware, confident, and intentional young individuals, it contributes to a future where more people are equipped to lead, communicate effectively, and leverage digital tools responsibly to make a positive impact on the world.
The power of
the right identity
It started as a crazy idea… then it turned into a personal mission. Could we create something with real impact?
Could we create a space where young people don’t just learn
but become?
Where identity, confidence, and leadership are taught alongside digital literacy, storytelling, and purpose?
Where youth could feel seen, empowered, and equipped to design their own path forward?
That question turned into an idea.
That idea turned into a program:
Born out of the belief that strategy and branding isn’t just for businesses - it’s for people too - Project U helps students develop self-leadership, define their personal brand, and grow into the leaders our communities need.
The future belongs to those who can imagine it
At the root of every great movement is imagination - the daring belief that things don’t have to stay the way they are. Project U was born from that same spark. What started as a crazy idea - a passing “what if” - grew into something bigger: a mission to equip young people with the tools to lead their own lives before the world writes their story for them.
We believe self-leadership isn’t a soft skill - it’s a survival skill. Especially for kids growing up in communities where options feel limited and systems weren’t designed with them in mind. Project U invites students to imagine more: more for their lives, more from their future, and more from the world around them.
It’s not just about college or career readiness but about identity readiness. Purpose readiness. It’s about helping students name their values, build digital fluency, and learn how to communicate who they are in a world that’s constantly trying to define them.
We imagine a generation that doesn’t just follow paths - they design them.
Help us build what we can’t do alone
Every gift expands
what's possible.
It means a student gets a journal to capture their dreams, the confidence to imagine something bigger and the structure to make it real. It means every participant walks away with a digital portfolio they can carry into future opportunities. And it helps us build the creative lab that will serve as both a launchpad and a sanctuary, laying the foundation for long-term growth and sustainability. How they tell their story can change everything.
At the heart of positive-impact work sits the ability to imagine
We’re teaching students how to shape their story before the world does it for them. How to get clear on who they are, what they want, and how to show up with confidence - online and in real life. They’re learning the emotional tools, leadership habits, and digital skills they need to lead themselves first - and then others.
Project U was created to answer that.
“At its core, Project U is about imagination. It’s about showing up for yourself, seeing new possibilities, and realizing you don’t have to wait for someone to hand you a future - you can build it. Because once you own your story, everything changes. And that ripple doesn’t stop.”
Zuleica Rendall
Founder
Give with Purpose
Project U is a blueprint for future-ready leadership, self-worth, and an empowered voice - especially for students who are often overlooked by traditional systems. Every great movement needs believers - people who see the vision before it’s fully formed. When you give to Project U, you’re not just funding a workshop or a workbook. You’re making space for a young person to believe in themselves. You’re putting tools in their hands: language, confidence, strategy, imagination. You’re helping them become the kind of leader their community - and the world - needs.
FAQs
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Project U is a youth leadership and identity development program designed to help middle and high school students explore who they are, how they want to show up in the world, and how to lead with purpose—online and offline.
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We're currently serving students in the Carrollton and West Georgia region, with a focus on under-resourced communities. Our first pilot cohort launches this summer through a partnership with MPACK.
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Students will engage in workshops, reflection exercises, creative storytelling, and personal branding activities. They'll leave with digital portfolios, leadership tools, and a clearer sense of direction for their future.
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Funds help us provide:
Journals and supplies for students
Stipends for facilitators
Community panels and guest speakers
Printed workbooks and branding materials
Technology and digital tools
Program development and expansion
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We'd love to connect. Whether you’re a business, organization, or individual supporter, you can sponsor a student, a full session, or contribute to our long-term vision. Reach out through our contact form or email us directly.ription
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At Project U, our goal is to create a ripple effect of positive, lasting change. We believe that by empowering one young person to discover their voice and live with intention, we strengthen our entire community.
Our desired impact is to cultivate a new generation of confident, self-aware, and purpose-driven leaders. We want to see young people who are prepared not just for future jobs, but for meaningful lives. This means they will be equipped to navigate the complexities of the digital world with integrity, lead with strong character, and contribute their unique gifts to their families, schools, and neighborhoods.
Ultimately, we want to help build communities where young people are seen as valuable partners in shaping a brighter, more intentional future for everyone.
Follow our journey
At Project U, we believe every young person holds an extraordinary spark within them, waiting to be ignited. This isn't just a program; it's a movement dedicated to helping young people in Carrollton and beyond discover who they truly are, build unwavering confidence, and shape a future filled with purpose.
Our blog is your window into that transformative journey. Here, we'll share heartfelt stories of student breakthroughs, offer insights into nurturing resilience and leadership in a digital world, celebrate our incredible community partners, and explore what it truly means to live with intention. Whether you're a parent, an educator, a community leader, or simply someone passionate about empowering the next generation, you'll find inspiration and understanding within these pages.
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Click the link below to get our latest stories and insights.
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."
— RALPH WALDO EMERSON
