Shaping the Next Generation of Young Leaders
At NextGen Visionary Leaders (NGVL), we are committed to shaping the next generation of young leaders by equipping them with the skills, confidence, and support they need to create lasting impact. Through innovative programs in entrepreneurship, leadership development, workforce training, and violence prevention, we empower youth to lead with purpose, resilience, and vision. By investing in their growth today, we are building stronger tomorrows.
NGVL empowers Chicago youth to become community-minded leaders. Through workforce development and transformative mentorship, we create lasting change…
We are a Chicago-based nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth and young adults ages 11 to 25. Founded by a successful businesswoman and proud product of Chicago, NGVL bridges opportunity gaps by equipping the next generation with leadership skills, workforce training, entrepreneurial tools, and community-based violence prevention strategies.
We are driven by the belief that when youth have access to the right support and opportunities, they can lead better lives — and build better communities.
Job Training
& Development
Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Through our youth-led business programs, mentorship initiatives, and startup support services, we help young people turn their ideas into action. Participants learn how to develop business plans, pitch their concepts, and build sustainable ventures that reflect their passions and talents. By fostering innovation and equipping youth with real-world business skills, we empower the next generation to not only create economic opportunities for themselves but also drive positive change within their communities.
Professional
& Community Development
Leadership & Life Skills
Our Leadership & Life Skills programs focus on building these essential qualities through training in public speaking, financial literacy, advocacy, decision-making, and personal development. We provide youth with the tools they need to navigate real-life challenges, advocate for themselves and others, and take initiative in their schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods. By investing in their leadership potential, we are cultivating bold, capable individuals who are ready to lead with integrity and purpose.
Violence Prevention
We offer healing-centered engagement strategies that address the root causes of violence while promoting emotional well-being and community connection. Through mentorship, supportive programming, and structured activities, we help youth develop conflict resolution skills, build healthy relationships, and find alternatives to violence. Our goal is to strengthen protective factors, reduce risk, and empower young people to create safer, more supportive environments for themselves and their peers.
We Invest in Futures…
NGVL equips youth and young adults with the skills, confidence, and support they need to succeed. Participants gain real-world experience in entrepreneurship, leadership, and workforce readiness while building critical life skills like financial literacy, advocacy, and public speaking. NGVL also provides safe spaces, healing-centered mentorship, and violence prevention programming to help youth stay on track and thrive.
Through our programs, young people develop the tools to lead positive change in their communities, access new career opportunities, and build a strong foundation for lifelong success.
“At NextGen Visionary Leaders, we believe leadership isn’t just about titles — it’s about taking action, inspiring others, and creating real change. Every young person has the power to lead; they just need the opportunity to be seen, heard, and supported.”
— Chantrelle Cross, Founder, VP & Secretary
Meet Chantrelle
Our Founder
Chantrelle Cross, Founder, Vice President, and Secretary of NextGen Visionary Leaders, has built her life around resilience, determination, and service. Born and raised in Chicago, she developed a strong sense of purpose early on, navigating personal and financial challenges with courage and ambition. After attending Curie Metropolitan High School and pursuing her college education at Alabama A&M University, Chantrelle returned to Chicago to complete her degree in Business Accounting at Robert Morris College. Her entrepreneurial journey began in real estate, where she found a passion for helping families achieve stability, and quickly expanded to tax preparation, credit repair, business consulting, branding, and a party supply business — all driven by her mission to serve her community.
As a mother of three and a proud product of Chicago’s West Side, Chantrelle’s greatest motivation comes from her desire to be a role model for her children and an agent of change for her city. Through years of community service, including feeding the homeless and mentoring young people, she has remained committed to creating opportunities and safe spaces for others. Chantrelle founded NextGen Visionary Leaders to invest in Chicago’s youth, equipping them with the skills, support, and leadership tools needed to build better futures. Her vision is to leave a legacy of empowerment, hope, and resilience that uplifts generations to come.