Below is information about our 2026 7th-8th Grade Student Leadership Day.
Our intensive Student Leadership Day programming engages students in 7th-8th grades with captivating, world-class Upstander speakers, interactive programs, and the opportunity to create an action plan to take back to their school. Student Leadership Day inspires the change-makers to build leadership skills, explore their roles as citizens, and develop a deeper understanding of the Holocaust, genocide, and other human rights issues. Students return to their communities with the tools and drive to promote acceptance and understanding.
We invite you to nominate up to ten of your 7th – 8th grade students to participate in this powerful day. The goal of Student Leadership Day is to increase awareness about the Holocaust, genocide, and human rights, and to help participants think about lessons we can learn from the past. Participating students will develop and carry out an action plan to address a social justice issue in their school, community, or the wider world. There is no cost for students to participate.
Note that the location and start/end times of this year’s program differ from past years.
Date & Time
Choose between two dates/times:
Wednesday, February 25, 9:30 am – 2:00 pm Capacity has been reached for this date, please nominate for Feb. 26
Illinois Holocaust Museum Presents Experience 360, 360 N. State Street, Chicago, IL 60654
Thursday, February 26, 9:30 am – 2:00 pm
Illinois Holocaust Museum Presents Experience 360, 360 N. State Street, Chicago, IL 60654
Keynote Speaker
Harold Green III
Poet, Author, and Executive Director of Flowers for the Living Foundation
Harold Green is an ever-evolving artist whose vibrant storytelling and passionate, lyrical delivery captivate audiences domestically and internationally. He is a proud son, brother, husband, father, teacher, coach, and mentor, all themes reflected in his poetry.
Green studied English Secondary Education at Grambling State University before earning a BA in Creative Writing from DePaul University and a Master of Humanities in Creative Writing from Tiffin University.
Green specializes in making poetry an accessible art form for all. Green’s performances have been featured at festivals, rallies, and colleges across the country for almost a decade and a half. The architect and curator of “Flowers for the Living,” an artist collective that layers poetry on performances by Chicago’s top singers and musicians. He has created numerous recorded albums of poetry, videos, plays, and other productions.
Green’s work has led his poetry to be featured in unexpected venues: he was a featured artist at the Chicago Mayoral Inauguration, Illinois Holocaust Museum, has appeared on Talks at Google, TEDx and at Aspen Ideas Festival.
Nomination Guidelines
Nominations are reviewed on a rolling basis beginning October 15 until space is filled. If capacity has not been reached, the nomination deadline will be Wednesday, February 4 at 5:00 pm CT.
- A maximum of 10 students per school are permitted. Please consult with your colleagues before submitting your nomination letter.
- A teacher or administrator must participate in the program along with their students. Limit 2 teachers/chaperones per school.
- Students should be willing to actively participate in discussion and activities, meet new people and become student ambassadors for the Illinois Holocaust Museum in their schools and broader communities.
- Students in grades 7-8 in accredited schools or homeschools are eligible to participate.
- Students should have a sincere interest in enhancing their knowledge of the Holocaust, genocide, and/or human rights issues.
- Students should have shown an interest in leadership at school or in their communities or have shown an interest in creating social awareness. Schools are particularly encouraged to nominate students who are not yet leaders in their schools, but who have the potential to be. Suggested nomination criteria available by request.
- Students must participate in the entire program until 2:00 pm.
You will be notified of your nomination status via email no later than two business days following the close of the nomination period. Additional details and links will be provided at that time. Participating schools will be invited to apply for a “seed money” grant to help fund materials needed to carry out their action plan. Application guidelines will be provided to participating schools in late February.
Presenting Sponsor of Student Leadership Days:
Education Services: Albertsons Companies Foundation; Charles and M.R. Shapiro Foundation; David P. Brody Charitable Trust; Dr. Scholl Foundation; Full Circle Foundation; Helen Brach Foundation; PNC
Endowment: Barney and Anita Sidler Education Endowment; Congregation B’nai Sholom; The Harvey L. Miller Family Foundation Program Endowment Fund; The Mayor Richard M. and Maggie C. Daley Education Fund; Moselle Mintz Schwartz Education Fund; Teachers Educational Endowment Fund
Photo credits: Robin Subar