Travis Policy Scholars
About the Travis Policy Scholars
The Travis Policy Scholars, Youth Advocacy Academy is a six-week leadership and civic engagement program designed to empower Minneapolis youth through the lens of leadership, teamwork, and advocacy. Led by Indianapolis Colts player Jalen Travis, the program introduces high school students to the fundamentals of public policy, community leadership, communication, and civic responsibility in a way that is engaging, relatable, and action-oriented.
Using academic and leadership principles throughout the experience, participants learn how decisions made by government and community leaders impact neighborhoods, schools, public safety, mental health, and economic opportunity.
By the End of Six Weeks, Scholars Will
Understand how policy impacts daily life
Know how to advocate respectfully and effectively
Build confidence in leadership and communication
Develop relationships with civic leaders
Feel empowered to engage in their schools and neighborhoods
Leave with a concrete understanding that leadership extends beyond their schools and into their communities
How the Program Works
Each week combines motivational conversations, interactive workshops, and real-world policy education. Participants get mentorship opportunities with community leaders, elected officials, business professionals, media personalities, and fellow scholars as they build the skills to advocate for change in their own neighborhoods.
Action Day: Youth Advocacy Showcase
The program culminates with an “Action Day” Youth Advocacy Showcase, where participants present community solutions and advocacy strategies to families, civic leaders, and stakeholders throughout Minneapolis.
Weekly Themes at a Glance
Week 1 — Roots and Identity: Identity, leadership, community awareness, and understanding issues impacting Minneapolis youth
Week 2 — Know the Rules: How local and state government functions, how laws are made, and who makes decisions
Week 3 — Your Story, Your Power: Public speaking, storytelling, confidence, communication, and social media for positive impact
Week 4 — Build the Coalition: Partnerships, collaboration, coalition building, and collective impact
Week 5 — Ideas to Impact: Advocacy in action — public meetings, letters to officials, campaigns, and organizing
Week 6 — Action Day: Celebration, team presentations, showcase, and graduation
The Youth Leadership Journal
An interactive reflection and leadership development workbook structured like a playbook. Participants document their growth throughout the program with guided reflection prompts, leadership exercises, goal-setting activities, speaker notes, and “Action Plan Challenges” that push them to apply learning beyond the classroom.
Example assignments include:
Creating a “Community Scouting Report” identifying neighborhood strengths and challenges
Writing a mock letter to an elected official advocating for a policy change
Developing a proposal to improve a school or community rule
Interviewing family or community members about changes Minneapolis needs
Practicing a 2-minute advocacy speech around a youth issue
Analyzing how a current policy affects young people
Designing a team-based “action plan” outlining actionable solutions to a community problem
