Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to the recognition and development of leadership potential commencing with high school sophomores.

The Hugh O'Brian Youth Foundation of Illinois (a.k.a. HOBY Illiniois) is an affiliate organization of HOBY Youth Leadership. HOBY Illinois organizes and runs annual HOBY Leadership seminars for outstanding sophomores throughout the State of Illinois.  Currently, HOBY Illinois organizes and runs two leadership seminars in Illinois.  The Illinois North Region consists of students living North of Interstate 80 and the Central-South Region consists of students living South of Interstate 80.  Both seminars are generally held in early June. 

The Freedom to Choose

I do not believe we are all created equal. Physical and emotional differences, parental guidance, varying environments, being in the right place at the right time all play a role in enhancing or limiting individual development. But I do believe every man or woman, if given the opportunity and encouragement to recognize his or her potential regardless of background, has the freedom to choose in our world. Will an individual be a taker or giver in life? Will he or she be satisfied merely to exist or will he or she seek a meaningful purpose? Will he or she dare to dream the impossible dream? I believe every person is created as the steward of his or her own destiny with great power for a specific purpose to share with others, through service, a reverence for life in a spirit of love.

Origin and History

In 1958, actor Hugh O'Brian returned from Africa highly inspired by his visit with Dr. Albert Schweitzer. Later that year, he established the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership to seek out and develop leadership potential in America's youth. The HOBY Leadership began locally in California. Today there are 100 seminar sites located throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas, Japan and Jamaica. Over 14,000 students worldwide benefit from HOBY seminars annually. In Illinois, as elsewhere, the seminars have enjoyed considerable support among high school principals and teachers-the people who know the needs and aspirations of our youth.

Our Mission: Motivating Tomorrow's Leaders Today

The mission of the Illinois HOBY Leadership Seminars are to provide one outstanding sophomore from each high school with the opportunity to grow in leadership and understanding. Specifically, we aim to:

• Seek out, recognize, and develop leadership potential commencing with high school sophomores
• Interface these potential leaders with recognized leaders in business, government, science, art and education through give-and-take workshops
• Encourage and assist members of this formative age group in their quest for self-identification and self-development

Stimulate these young people to demonstrate their leadership abilities when they return home for the betterment of community and country