KEY TAKEAWAYS: Youth Empowerment Project promoted Darrin McCall to president and Jerome Jupiter to CEO. Co-founder and longtime CEO Melissa Sawyer is transitioning into an advisory role. The two leaders bring more than 35 years of combined experience with the nonprofit. YEP serves nearly 1,000 young people annually across 13 Louisiana parishes.   The Youth Empowerment Project has named two longtime leaders to guide the organization’s next chapter, promoting Darrin McCall to president and Jerome Jupiter to chief executive officer as co-founder Melissa Sawyer transitions to an advisory role. The leadership change, announced Feb. 9, places McCall and Jupiter at the helm of the New Orleans-based nonprofit, which focuses on mentoring, education and job-readiness programs for young people across southeast Louisiana. McCall and Jupiter bring more than 35 years of combined experience with the organization. The pair have held senior roles at YEP and are expected to continue shaping its programs and partnerships as the nonprofit expands its reach. Under the new structure, McCall will oversee internal operations as president, building on his work as chief of staff. Jupiter will serve as CEO, leading external functions such as strategy, partnerships and community engagement, responsibilities that expand on his previous role as chief operating officer. Both leaders will report directly to the nonprofit’s board of directors. The transition comes as Sawyer, who co-founded the organization and has served as CEO for more than two decades, steps back from day-to-day leadership. “I’ve had the privilege of working alongside Darrin and Jerome for many years, and I know how critical they have been to YEP’s continued growth and success,” Sawyer said. “They love the organization, live our mission and values, and are deeply connected to our community. Darrin and Jerome are outstanding leaders, and I’m delighted they will guide YEP forward. I look forward to supporting them in an advisory capacity to ensure a smooth transition.” Ben Allen, co-president of the YEP board of directors, said the leadership shift reflects both continuity and growth for the organization. “Melissa’s vision and dedication over the past two decades have built YEP into the strong, trusted organization it is today, and we are deeply appreciative of her extraordinary service,” Allen said. “We are thrilled she will continue to serve as an advisor. Building on that foundation, the board is delighted that Darrin and Jerome will be YEP’s next leaders.” Founded as Louisiana’s first juvenile reentry program serving formerly incarcerated youth, YEP has expanded significantly during Sawyer’s tenure. The nonprofit now provides community-based education, mentoring, employment readiness and enrichment programs for nearly 1,000 people each year across 13 parishes. The organization operates five sites in the New Orleans area — including Central City, Mid-City, Algiers, New Orleans East and St. Charles Parish — and offers four core programs, all free to participants. Leaders say the transition is designed to maintain the nonprofit’s mission while positioning it for future growth in youth development and community engagement throughout the region. ...read more read less