Urban Initiatives’ programs might start with a ball and a whistle, but they are built to develop leaders. This week, that leadership pipeline moved from the school playground to downtown Chicago when student captains from Nixon Elementary and Chalmers Elementary headed to Adams Street Partners’ offices.
This offsite huddle was designed to show them exactly where their skills can take them, bridging the gap between school-based team dynamics and the professional world.
The Huddle: Leadership in Motion
The Huddle is a core part of the UI experience, giving Team Captains a dedicated space to learn leadership skills and how to apply them on and off the soccer field. While our standard, monthly huddles happen at school, an Offsite Huddle expands that horizon. The goal is for captains to leave with a deeper understanding of teamwork while exploring diverse work environments and career paths.
The data shows this intentional focus on leadership works. Students who participate in our programs attend an average of one additional week of school per year and are more likely to graduate high school compared to their peers.
This engagement often comes full circle through our workforce pipeline; in summer 2025, our Community Member to Coach program saw 27 youth complete a paid apprenticeship where 95% gained employment-readiness skills and 52% secured a new job or class enrollment.
The Boardroom as a Classroom
The highlight of the day was the tour of the Adams Street office. Walking through the hallways and sitting in the boardroom, the students saw firsthand where serious work happens.
We spent the afternoon discussing how working as a team in the professional world mirrors what happens on the field. Just like at practice or in school, colleagues in an office have to have each other’s backs and cheer for one another to reach a goal. By the time we sat down for our dinner discussion, it was clear these captains didn’t just see an office; they saw a space where they belonged.
Redefining Leadership: The Power of “Not Knowing”
During the huddle, we challenged our captains to rethink what it means to lead. We discussed how a leader doesn’t need to have every answer; instead, admitting when they are still learning actually can make a team stronger. This honesty creates a safe environment where everyone feels comfortable taking risks and trying new things. Leadership isn’t about being perfect – it’s about the willingness to practice and improve together.
More Than Just a Game
While the students put their skills to the test with team-building activities focused on communication and taking initiative, the real focus was social awareness. It was about recognizing how their actions affect the group and how a shared goal requires every voice to be heard.
The conversations between UI students and Adams Street staff over dinner proved that the play we do every day is preparation for life. Students asked Adams Street staff about business deals, salaries, work travel, and about each presenter’s specific role within the company. It was proof that when you give young people a seat at the table, they are ready to lead the conversation.
The Bottom Line
We are not just teaching kids how to play; we are showing them that the leadership they practice at school is a universal language.
Special thanks to the team at Adams Street Partners for opening your doors and showing our Captains that their leadership – and their ability to cheer for their teammates – has a place in every corner of Chicago!
