Step Into Your Power: Join the Movement with PLTI

As we journey through life, we often encounter moments that transform us—moments that shift our perspective, awaken our inner strength, and ignite a deep desire to advocate for change. For Janita Webb, a 2025 graduate of the Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI), that moment was found within the program itself. In this blog post, we share her ode—a poetic reflection on the profound impact PLTI has had on her and her cohort.

Janita’s words capture the essence of what PLTI offers: a space for parents to find their voices, deepen their sense of purpose, and step boldly into leadership and advocacy.

Here’s Janita’s heartfelt ode to PLTI, a tribute to the lessons learned, the mentors who guided her, and the cohort that became her family:

PLTI, a beacon bright,
A force of justice, a guiding light.
Twenty weeks of challenge and grace,
Where courage was nurtured, and fear erased.

From the retreat, where truths were laid bare,
We unearthed power we didn’t know was there.
In circles sacred, we claimed our place,
Learning to lead with heart and grace.
We saw diversity as strength untold,
And learned our voices must be bold.

Annie and Pakou, unwavering guides,
You lifted our voices, stood by our sides.
Through deep reflection and fearless space,
We built our courage, embraced our place.
Parents as Change Agents felt daunting, yet we broke through,
Knowing that vision must shape what we do.
With language sharp and purpose clear,
You showed us how to speak and hear.
How media moves, how networks grow,
How systems shape the world we know.

Then Crystal and Ra, with strength untold,
You armed us with knowledge, you made us bold.
Budgets, policies, systems designed—
No longer a mystery, but tools redefined.
You sharpened our strategy, deepened our fight,
Taught us that justice is claiming our rights.
With laughter and truth, we carved out our way,
And as you reminded us, “We listen and don’t judge,” every Wednesday.

With intellect over emotion, we learned to stand,
Rooted in wisdom, with purpose in hand.

Meetings with Julie & Denisha, mentors so wise,
With vision sharp and knowing eyes.
You linked our passions to work so real,
Connecting projects with strength and zeal.
With every insight, every plan,
You reminded us: Yes, we can.

And to my dear Cohort, my heart, my crew,
Together we soared, together we grew.
We built networks, raised our voice,
Made bold decisions, claimed our choice.
Mapping communities, forging ties,
Seeing the world through sharpened eyes.
Through struggle, through triumph, through joy and through pain,
We built a bridge that will always remain.

To PLTI, my endless praise,
For lighting the fire, for clearing the haze.
No longer silent, now we stand,
Parents, warriors, hand in hand.
For children’s futures like my amazing Zora, dreams set free—
Oh, PLTI, you strengthened me!