UIU Teen is a national youth program of Umu Igbo Unite (UIU) designed to empower Igbo teens across the diaspora to grow confidently in their identity, leadership, and sense of community.

Mission
To empower Igbo teens ages 13–19 across the diaspora to build identity, leadership, and community through culture, language, service, and mentorship.

Aligned with the UIU Pillars:

• Cultural Preservation: Monthly cultural and language experiences including Igbo history, arts, dance, music, and storytelling.
• Connecting the Diaspora: A national virtual cohort that brings Igbo teens together from across the United States, with opportunities for local city-based connections.
• Entrepreneurship: Career exposure, teen-led projects, leadership roles, and opportunities that strengthen confidence and real-world skills.
• Civic Engagement: Service-driven programming rooted in the Igbo value of onye aghana nwanne ya – no one is left behind.

Program Structure

Meeting Cadence
UIU Teen meets once a month for two hours, providing meaningful engagement without overwhelming busy academic and extracurricular schedules.

Format

• National virtual Zoom sessions with interactive, teen-led segments
• Breakout rooms by age group (13–15 and 16–19) or shared interests
• Consistent inclusion of Igbo language learning in every session

Local Engagement
When 10 or more teens are located in the same city, optional parent-supervised in-person activities may be organized to deepen local connection.

Membership

• Annual membership with a program fee to support consistency and commitment
• Required completion of a Code of Conduct, Media Consent, and Parent Agreement

Teen Leadership
UIU Teen is intentionally teen-led with adult oversight, offering leadership roles that support confidence-building and strengthen college applications.

Safety, Policies & Well-Being

UIU Teen prioritizes safety, inclusion, and respect in every interaction.

• Code of Conduct: Expectations for respect, engagement, and positive behavior. Cameras on where possible to support community connection.
• Safeguarding Practices
  • Two-Adult Rule for all virtual and in-person activities
  • No direct messaging between adults and minors
  • All communication occurs through official UIU channels
• Accessibility & Inclusion
  • Closed captioning for virtual sessions
  • Low-bandwidth participation options
  • Scholarships available to ensure access for all families

UIU Teen is more than a program.
It is a space where Igbo teens learn who they are, where they come from, and how they can lead with confidence, purpose, and pride.