Leland High Student Launches Public Speaking Nonprofit

Anjika Bansal founded Almaden Voices in October 2025 to provide free public speaking workshops for students.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Philanthropy

Leland High Student Launches Public Speaking Nonprofit

Live Poll

Do you believe local extracurricular programs offer more value to students than traditional school instruction?

Since establishing the nonprofit Almaden Voices in October 2025, Leland High student Anjika Bansal has provided free public speaking instruction. The initiative aims to increase student access to affordable communication training.

Why it matters

Bansal created the organization to address the need for accessible public speaking resources, helping students build confidence through cost-free instructional programs.

Approximately 85% of the organization's budget is sustained through community donations, with the remainder generated by specialized one-on-one coaching.

The players

Anjika Bansal

The 17-year-old Leland High student is the founder of the nonprofit Almaden Voices.

The details

Almaden Voices began in March 2025 as informal lessons held in a garage before transitioning into a formal nonprofit operating in San Jose. The organization collaborates with the Hoffman Via Monte community center to recruit students and host training sessions.

Bansal began teaching informal public speaking lessons in March 2025.
Almaden Voices was officially established as a nonprofit in October 2025.
A virtual workshop for students in Kenya took place on October 5, 2026.

Market Landscape

This venture reflects the rise of youth-led social entrepreneurship, positioning it within a landscape of student-run nonprofits that utilize digital connectivity to scale community impact. By operating locally in San Jose while reaching international students, the model competes with traditional, fee-based extracurricular speech programs.

Students and families in San Jose can access free public speaking instruction through Almaden Voices, potentially saving on the costs typically associated with private coaching. Those interested in the program can look for opportunities facilitated by the nonprofit's community partnerships.

The takeaway

Anjika Bansal's project demonstrates how a grassroots idea can expand into a global initiative, reaching students as far away as Kenya. Families looking to support youth development can consider the impact of community-funded programs on local skill-building.