Social Mindfulness and Emotional Resilience | The Empire Promise Youth Summit

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, educators and program leaders were left grappling with how to address the social and emotional gaps left in its wake. For many young people, the disruption to their learning and social lives resulted in delays not only academically but also in their ability to connect with others and navigate their emotions effectively. These effects don't simply vanish over time—when left unaddressed, they intensify and compound.

A recent article from The Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley on teaching mindfulness in a more social way highlights the importance of addressing these gaps through practices that foster connection and emotional awareness. Rather than focusing exclusively on personal mindfulness, the emphasis is shifting toward social mindfulness—approaches that encourage empathy, understanding, and collaboration within groups.

This shift aligns powerfully with our work through the Empire Promise Youth Summit. The theme for the 2025 Summit, "Survivor: Inside Out," is rooted in the concept of emotional mastery and connection. Through experiential learning, youth participants actively engage with concepts of joy, sadness, fear, anger, and disgust—emotions experienced not only individually but within the context of relationships and community. By gamifying emotional intelligence and social awareness, we create opportunities for young people to reflect, share, and grow together.

What makes the Empire Promise Youth Summit truly transformative is its intentional blending of social-emotional learning with social mindfulness. The summit's collaborative yet competitive structure requires participants to navigate challenges as teams, fostering empathy and cooperation throughout the journey. The culminating Tribal Council serves not only as a test of knowledge but as a celebration of growth, connection, and resilience.

The impact of this approach runs deep. Participants develop skills that transcend individual well-being to encompass a greater understanding of how their emotions and actions influence those around them. By teaching mindfulness in a socially-engaged context, we're preparing young people to thrive not only as individuals but as compassionate, connected members of their communities.

As we continue to expand and refine our approach, we remain committed to fostering social mindfulness throughout the Liberty Partnerships Program. The Empire Promise Youth Summit stands as a powerful testament to how emotional understanding can be transformed into collective strength.