Youth Leadership Summit to Offer Free Resources, Notable Speakers at Rose Bowl

The Rose Bowl Stadium will host a completely free youth leadership summit Wednesday aimed at empowering high school and college students with essential life skills and resources.

The “Empowering Tomorrow, Today: Youth Leadership Summit” will take place April 30 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Rose Bowl Stadium, located at 1001 Rose Bowl Dr, in Pasadena.

The event is designed specifically for high school juniors, seniors, college students and postgraduates, featuring prominent sports journalists and broadcasters.

ESPN journalist Malika Andrews has been confirmed as a participant in the event, which represents a collaboration between the Rose Bowl Institute and the Pasadena Tournament of Roses, combining their previous youth empowerment programs into a single event.

“We are thrilled to host the ‘Empowering Tomorrow, Today’ summit at the iconic Rose Bowl Stadium, a place synonymous with history, tradition, and excellence. This summit represents our commitment to equipping young people with the tools they need to become compassionate, confident, and capable leaders who will drive positive change in their communities and beyond,” said Dedan Brozino, President of the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation.

Darren M. Haynes will host the summit, while actress Azita Ghanizada will serve as the Welcome Speaker for this year’s Empowerment Luncheon. Other notable participants include FOX Sports College Football Lead Reporter Jenny Taft, sports broadcaster Holly Rowe, and CBS sports reporter Amanda Balionis, who recently covered the Zurich Classic and runs the nonprofit organization Puppies and Golf.

The event will feature a keynote speaker, panel discussions, interactive workshops on financial literacy, life skills and resilience building, plus a resource fair and brunch.

Rowe will moderate a panel discussion focusing on the rise of women’s basketball and the challenges and triumphs of female athletes.

“This event is not just about imparting knowledge — it’s about creating an environment where young people feel supported and inspired to take action. We are proud to offer this incredible opportunity free of charge, making it accessible to students from all walks of life. Our goal is to provide a platform that fosters growth, self-discovery, and leadership skills that will last a lifetime,” said Mark Leavens, President of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses.

The summit will provide resources to aid youth affected by the Eaton Fire disaster as part of recovery efforts. “Resource Row” will include local organizations and businesses offering information on mental health support, jobs, internships, local events and other vital services.

The Youth Leadership Summit aims to equip students with essential resources, education, and life skills, particularly in response to regional challenges such as natural disasters and economic hardships.

The Rose Bowl Institute, an initiative of the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation founded in 2020, promotes sportsmanship, leadership and citizenship through educational programs and dialogues.

The summit builds on previous youth empowerment initiatives, including the Rose Bowl Institute’s Women’s Empowerment Symposium and the Tournament of Roses’ #ThisGen2024 Youth Empowerment Forum held on April 17, 2024, at Pasadena City College.