OUR STORY

The 2016 US election, both during and in the aftermath, brought turmoil and an alarming rise in the number of hate crimes. Then fifteen-year-old Peyton Klein, like many, wanted to take action.

After noticing the issues of cultural intolerance and the exclusion of immigrants and refugees at her own high school, Klein decided to do whatever she could to combat these issues.

Through her prior involvement in peace education and leadership programs, and with the help of teachers and faculty at Taylor Allderdice High School, Klein created Global Minds Initiative.

What started as a simple afterschool club, soon turned into a movement. After a viral article, students and teachers internationally started reaching out saying that the academic and social disconnect between English Language Learners (ELL) and native English speaking students was not unique. In response, Klein launched the Global Minds chapter model.

Mission

Global Minds Initiative is a for-youth, by-youth organization created to combat the issues of cultural intolerance and discrimination through an after school tutoring program between English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) and Native English Speaking (NES) students.

Global Minds serves as an educational support system for ESL students, while educating NES students about other cultures, in order to create more globally minded young leaders.

Vision

Global Minds reimagines schools as centers for youth voice, cultural understanding and intercultural friendship. 

OUR MODEL

Together, we can create more inclusive and welcoming schools.

Bridge

Building Bridges Curriculum

Expert curated activities focused on building cross-cultural relationships and developing space for youth to connect and embrace difference.
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Youth Leadership Development

Training for youth facilitators and adult allies to lead, engage, and provide meaningful opportunities for brave conversations.
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Community Engagement

Tools for engaging community partners for site visits, service projects, and enrichment.
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Global Minds Hub

An online platform and network for Global Minds students and teachers to share best practices, curriculum and expereinces.

OUR CORE VALUES

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Youth Voice

We invest in youth power through authentic youth-adult partnerships. Adults amplify and uphold youth voice for social and organizational change.
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Transformation

We believe in creating a future that values equity and inclusion, which begins with personal transformation. We uphold cultural humility by engaging in courageous dialogue and embracing difference.
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Conscious Leadership

We support and promote youth leadership development. We champion the role of young people as leaders of positive social change. We invest in youth leaders as a way to foster a lifelong commitment to active and democratic citizenship.
Global

Global Citizenship

We build communities across difference inside and out of schools. We are committed to encouraging young people to develop the empathetic and collaborative skills to make our world a more equitable and sustainable place.

MEET OUR TEAM

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Peyton Klein

Founder and Executive Director
Pittsburgh, PA
peyton@globalminds.world
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Suad Yusuf

Program Director
Pittsburgh, PA
suad@globalminds.world
Photo of Jose Flores in global minds shirt

Jose Flores

Fellowship Coordinator
Pittsburgh, PA
jose@globalminds.world
Photo of Aya Attal in global minds shirt

Aya Attal

Fellowship Coordinator
Pittsburgh, PA
aya@globalminds.world

START A CHAPTER

GET INVOLVED

“The Global Minds club changed my life. It helped me share my story, make new friends, and helped me feel at home. I never felt more welcomed.”

Israa Abdulmuttaleb
– Global Minds participant