Workforce Development

Read. Explore. Create. Lead.

At Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute (PPGJLI), building a culture of reading is more than learning to read. It is a pathway to discovering possibilities, developing skills, and preparing for the future.

Our workforce development programs connect literacy, leadership, career exploration, and hands-on learning to help people discover their talents, set goals, and explore pathways to meaningful careers.

Youth Development

Helping Young People Imagine Their Future

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Through Leaders are Readers, children and youth discover career possibilities while strengthening their literacy and leadership skills.

Our Career Day experiences introduce young people to professionals from a variety of fields. Participants learn about different careers, ask questions, discover the education and skills needed to succeed, and begin setting goals for their future.

Young people are encouraged to:

  • Explore careers and discover new possibilities.

  • Identify their interests, strengths, and talents.

  • Meet professionals and learn from their journeys.

  • Set goals and create steps toward achieving them.

  • See the connection between reading, learning, and future success.

Our goal is simple: help young people see what is possible and believe they can achieve it.


Career Development in the Publishing Industry

Discover the People Behind the Book

Publishing is for everyone.

Our career development opportunities are designed for people of all ages and at every stage of their career journey, including youth, adults, emerging professionals, career changers, aspiring creatives, and entrepreneurs.

A book begins with an idea, but it takes an entire team to bring that idea to readers.

PPGJLI introduces participants to the life cycle of a book, from the first idea to the finished book reaching bookstores, libraries, schools, and communities.

Explore careers such as:

Authors & Writers – Create stories and share ideas.

Illustrators & Artists – Bring stories to life through art.

Editors – Help writers strengthen and prepare their work for publication.

Designers & Production Teams – Transform words and images into finished books.

Publishers & Project Managers – Guide books from concept to completion.

Marketing, Publicity & Sales Professionals – Help books find their audiences.

Booksellers & Distributors – Connect books with readers.

Creative Entrepreneurs – Build businesses around writing, publishing, design, bookselling, and storytelling.

Explore at Any Age. Grow at Any Stage.

There is no single path into publishing.

You might be a young person discovering a new career, an aspiring author learning about the industry, an adult considering a career change, or an entrepreneur ready to turn your creativity into a business.

Through career exploration, training, mentorship, and hands-on learning, PPGJLI helps participants build skills, make connections, and discover opportunities throughout the publishing industry.

Career Exploration → Goal Setting → Skill Building → Mentorship → Opportunity

Build Your Future With Us

Every career begins with discovering what is possible.

Join PPGJLI as we prepare the next generation of readers, leaders, creators, and professionals.

Explore our programs. Become a mentor. Share your career journey. Partner with us. Invest in the next generation.

Read. Explore. Create. Lead.