In 2018, the Washington State Legislature approved a sports mentoring program through The Washington State Leadership Board with the successful passage of SB 5746 and HB 2062, sponsored by Sen. Patty Kuderer and Rep. Vandana Slatter respectively. The Leadership Board was charged with administering a sports leadership program for underserved students that was designed “to enable eligible nonprofit community-based organizations to provide opportunities for underserved youth to join sports teams or otherwise participate in the area of sports.”

A PROGRAM OF THE WASHINGTON STATE LEADERSHIP BOARD

The Washington State Leadership Board is a trustee agency of Washington state originally founded in 1971 as the Association of Washington Generals, by then-Lt. Governor John Cherberg. The organization was codified in state statute in 2005, giving it permission to use the Washington State Seal and to work with the Office of the Lt. Governor on programs and initiatives.

In 2022, the Washington State Legislature designated the Washington State Leadership Board a trustee agency of the state of Washington with the signing of Bill 5750. Today, the Leadership Board continues its long legacy of recognizing service and cultivating leadership in Washington through educational programs, public service, international engagement, and bestowing statewide honors including Washingtonian of the Year.