Dublin Student Starts Speech Coaching Nonprofit

DUBLIN, CA — A Dublin High School junior is hoping to get everyone talking again.

“The youth of today have lost their communication skills post-Covid and the confidence and
interest to engage in and enjoy conversations. Our goal for them is to take a break from gadgets and learn to communicate easily and with poise in a non-judgmental, safe space,” said Presha Dutt, the founder of Empower, Lead, Enrich (ELE), which teaches communication and leadership skills.

Presha’s journey began in 5th grade, when she said she had trouble making friends. ““I used to come home daily thinking, ‘No one talks to me, and no one likes me,’” she said. “But that all changed when my mom said, ‘Why aren’t you talking to others? Maybe they’re feeling the same?’ She spent the next six years improving her skills through giving speeches, participating in speech competitions, and mentoring hundreds of students through the Toastmasters’ Gavel Club, GirlsUp, and DECA.

She is putting those skills to use through ELE’s Silver Speech program for youth and adults, which operates interactive workshops at Bay Area libraries.

Presha is also providing career counseling to clients of Shepherd's Gate, an organization in Livermore that helps women and children dealing with addiction, homelessness, and domestic violence. She also used the proceeds from her Silver Speech paid program to purchase 430 earphones and headphones for women and children in the program.

ELE is looking to grow. For more information, email preshadutt@gmail.com.