Leadership Development Program (SikhLEAD LDP)

What it is: The Leadership Development Program (LDP) is a programme of SALDEF, the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund, for young Sikh Americans. SALDEF describes it as a virtual programme that helps Sikh youth become leaders and explore their own potential and that of the Sikh American community. It says it has run since 2010. These are SALDEF's own claims, taken from its website.

What it teaches: SALDEF says participants build a leadership profile, write a personal mission statement and learn public speaking, conflict resolution, goal setting, project management and peer coaching. They also look at diversity, equity and identity, form a network with other young Sikhs, and design a small project on an issue that concerns the Sikh community. SALDEF says its alumni include graduate students, campus elected officers, and a singer who appeared on American Idol.

SikhLEAD: SALDEF now groups the programme with its internships under the name SikhLEAD. The Washington DC internship places students aged 18 and over in congressional offices, federal agencies and DC organisations. The Regional internship is for students from age 15 in any of the 50 states, in local and state government and community groups. A Media internship in Los Angeles, for college juniors, seniors and recent graduates, is described as a new chapter in film, television and journalism. SALDEF's page says applications for the Summer 2026 SikhLEAD internships were open.

Its parent: SALDEF says it began in 1996 as the Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force, an all-volunteer group focused on media analysis, and took its present name in 2004 as it moved into civil rights and legislative work.

Where it stands: The programme is running. The sources we opened do not name its directors or give independent figures on its alumni, so no alumni figure is given here.