A record number of Shorewood School District students participated in the 2026 southeastern Wisconsin African American Youth Initiative (AAYI) leadership and college readiness experience at Concordia University, July 14-17. This four-day event hosted by the Closing the Achievement Gap Consortium (CAGC) empowers students academically, socially, and personally while preparing them to become confident leaders within their schools and communities.

Two Shorewood students, Milan Robinson and Eva Cole, returned to AAYI this year to serve as Leaders in Training. They mentored younger students, supported counselors throughout the week, and modeled the leadership qualities and service that define the AAYI experience.

In addition to Shorewood High School Associate Principal, Amanda Jamerson, who serves as Co-Director of AAYI, and Nelson Brown, Shorewood School District Instructional Technology Support Specialist, and a longtime AAYI counselor, Superintendent, Laurie Burgos, and High School Principal, Tim Kenney, participated in this year’s program.

AAYI reflects our commitment to creating opportunities for students to develop leadership skills, build a strong sense of belonging, and grow inside and outside the classroom, and Our Promise: The Shorewood School District is an inclusive community that values, supports, and challenges every student so they thrive now and in the future they choose.