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21CL Announces 2025 Georgia Youth Leadership Awardees https://www.21stcenturyleaders.org/21cl-announces-2025-georgia-youth-leadership-awardees/ https://www.21stcenturyleaders.org/21cl-announces-2025-georgia-youth-leadership-awardees/#respond Tue, 04 Feb 2025 21:52:11 +0000 https://www.21stcenturyleaders.org/?p=12327

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

21 Georgia High School Students to Be Honored at Signature Be the Inspiration Gala

(February 5, 2025) Atlanta, GA – 21st Century Leaders, Georgia’s premier youth leadership and workforce readiness program for high school students from diverse backgrounds across the state, announces the top 21 youth leaders selected for its annual Georgia Youth Leadership Awards (GYLA). The honorees will be recognized at the nonprofit’s annual fundraising event, the Be the Inspiration Gala, presented by Warner Bros. Discovery, to be held on Saturday, March 15, 2025 at Zoo Atlanta in Atlanta, Ga. 

21st Century Leaders (21CL), in partnership with the event’s corporate sponsors and partners, brings together business and civic leaders to raise support for 21st Century Leaders’ year-round leadership programs while also recognizing 21 of their own outstanding high school students throughout Georgia who have made a significant impact on their schools, communities and beyond.

21CL serves over 2,500 students annually and this year’s 21 awardees – all in high school and all members of 21st Century Leaders – include nonprofit founders, entrepreneurs, content creators, advocates, and volunteers who truly represent the diversity of Georgia with students from DeKalb to Muscogee to Richmond counties. The honorees exhibit 21CL’s leadership values of being resilient, service-oriented, forward-thinking, resourceful, and inclusive. The 21 awardees were carefully chosen by a 27-member selection committee of business professionals, 21CL Board of Directors, 21CL corporate volunteers and community leaders, and 21CL alumni and student peers. The full selection committee is listed below and on 21CL’s website.

21st Century Leaders is proud to announce the following 21 outstanding youth leaders for its 2025 Georgia Youth Leadership Awards:

  1. Moatapari Agbere, Chattahoochee County High School, from Muscogee County
  2. Ashley Nelson, Chamblee Charter High School, from DeKalb County
  3. Michelle Wang, Fulton Science Academy, from Fulton County
  4. Pranav Yellapragada, Chattahoochee High School, from Fulton County
  5. Wendell Rogers, Dunwoody High School, from DeKalb County
  6. Sreepadha Daram, Innovation Academy, from Fulton County
  7. Hadil Adam, Clarkston High School, from DeKalb County
  8. Ibraheem Hassan, Lakeside High School (Evans), from Columbia County
  9. Tessa Hayes, Jefferson County High School, from Jefferson County
  10. Daniella Taiwo, Lovejoy High School, from Fayette County
  11. Christopher Boyd, Landmark Christian School, from Clayton County
  12. Kenia Gonzalez-Chavez, Cedar Shoals High School, from Athens-Clarke County
  13. Laurin McCoy, Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School, from Richmond County
  14. Ca’Leia Nelson, Milton High School, from Gwinnett County
  15. Jace Williams, Westlake High School, from Fulton County
  16. Ethan Barlay, Rockdale Magnet School, from Rockdale County
  17. Sheona Diwakar, Campbell High School (Smyrna), from Cobb County
  18. Micah Newton, Pickens County High School, from Pickens County
  19. Yasmin Rios, Swainsboro High School, from Emanuel County
  20. Sauyer Stewart, Arabia Mountain High School, from DeKalb County
  21. Ronak Vyas, Alpharetta High School, from Fulton County

Through corporate sponsors’ support, each youth leader will be presented with a $500 grant at the Be the Inspiration Gala, with one student awarded the Warner Bros. Discovery Student Leadership Award, the event’s top award which includes a $1,000 grant from the presenting sponsor, Warner Bros. Discovery. Students are also paired with coaches who mentor the students throughout the event season. Our Georgia Youth Leadership Award Coaches are recognized and accomplished community leaders and/or members of Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 40 Under 40 alumni, maintaining a partnership established with the group in 2008 when 21st Century Leaders first launched this event. The student winners and coaches met at a private Meet + Greet luncheon on Saturday, February 1, 2025 at Emory’s Goizueta Business School, a sponsor and supporter.

This year’s Be the Inspiration Gala is being led by Co-Chairs and 21CL Board of Directors members Mari Sifo of Host Hotels and Resorts and Chi Nguyen of Insight Global. For more information about the Be the Inspiration Gala or to purchase a ticket to the event, please visit www.21stcenturyleaders.org. All proceeds from the event will support 21CL’s ongoing efforts to provide youth leadership and talent development programs for high school students across Georgia at little to no cost to students.

Georgia Youth Leadership Awards Coaches: 

The Georgia Youth Leadership Award coaches for the 2025 student winners are Maranie Brown, BlackRock, 21CL Board of Directors*; Greg Clay, City of Atlanta, Mayor’s Office, 21CL Alumni*; Whitney Deal Marshall, Whitney Marshall Coaching*; Naceo Denney, Georgia Power*; Chandra Farley, City of Atlanta, Mayor’s Office of Sustainability & Resilience*; David Felfoldi, SHERPA Global*; Marty Fleischmann, The Masters Team*, Former 21CL  Board of Directors; Tania Garcia, Senior Marketing Executive, 21CL Board of Directors; Brian Goebel, Goizueta Business School, Business & Society Institute, 21CL Board of Directors*; Taylor Green, Amazon Web Services, 21CL Alumni*; Poojan Karnik, Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center; Ashley Lee, The Coca-Cola Company*; DJ Lewis, Technology Consulting Executive; Lanita Lucas, Aflac*; Dr. Brandon Morgan, Iconic Orthodontics, 21CL Alumni*; Taunia Nkromo-Stevenson, Warner Bros. Discovery*; Michael Quigley, OVH Media*; Martha Revelo, DeKalb County; Ed Roche, Cox Enterprises, Former 21CL  Board of Directors; Assi Van Bastelaar, Spotfire

Georgia Youth Leadership Awards Selection Committee
All nominations were reviewed by our 27-member GYLA Selection Committee, comprised of 21CL corporate volunteers, 21CL Board of Directors, and 21CL alumni and student peers. Committee members included the coaches indicated above, along with Curtis Bennett, MarketSource; Erik Bryant, Truist Wealth, 21CL Board of Directors; Neha Chaparala, Mercer, 21CL Alumni Board; Susannah Darrow, Purpose Possible; Dr. Shaneeta Johnson, Morehouse School of Medicine; Jeff Kupor, Invesco, 21CL Board of Directors; Clarke LeGrande, Wellstar; Jason Wallace, Capital Group, 21CL Board of Directors; Thurman Williams, Community Volunteer, Coca-Cola (retired); Anqi Zou, Truist, 21CL Board of Directors; and Hannah Lang, 21CL Youth Ambassador and 2024 GYLA Student Recipient.

About 21st Century Leaders
Since 1989, 21st Century Leaders has served more than 20,000 diverse high school students from 95% of Georgia’s counties. 21st Century Leaders’ mission is to connect, transform, and inspire high school students from diverse backgrounds across the state of Georgia to leverage diversity, explore career opportunities, and become leaders in their school, community, and ultimately the workforce. 

21st Century Leaders is currently accepting student applications (until March 1st) into their leadership and development program and for their summer leadership institutes for the 2025 summer. The summer leadership institutes are residential one-week programs hosted on a college campus with our corporate partners and business professionals. 21CL accepts rising sophomores, juniors and seniors for the institutes. High school students of any grade can enroll in Leadership Connect, 21CL’s online learning platform, at any time and join the organization. For more information about 21st Century Leaders, visit www.21stcenturyleaders.org

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For media inquiries, please contact:
Nicole Smith
Director of Programs & Communications, 21st Century Leaders
nicole@21stcenturyleaders.org | 404.373.7441

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21st Century Leaders Announces First Ever Leadership Certificate from Goizueta Business School for GA H.S. School Students https://www.21stcenturyleaders.org/goizueta-leadership-certificate-for-georgia-high-school-students/ https://www.21stcenturyleaders.org/goizueta-leadership-certificate-for-georgia-high-school-students/#respond Mon, 02 Dec 2024 15:57:46 +0000 https://www.21stcenturyleaders.org/?p=11655

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

21st CENTURY LEADERS ANNOUNCES FIRST EVER LEADERSHIP CERTIFICATE FROM GOIZUETA BUSINESS SCHOOL FOR GEORGIA’S HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Atlanta, GA (December 4, 2024)21st Century Leaders (21CL), a non-profit and Georgia’s and premier youth leadership development program, and Emory University’s Goizueta Business School have leveraged their nearly 20-year partnership to present an opportunity for high school students to earn a Leadership Certificate from the business school through a capstone project focused on social enterprise and entrepreneurship. This is the only program through which high school students can obtain this certificate.

Through 21st Century Leaders’ proprietary online learning platform, Leadership Connect, students engage with gamified lessons that they complete at their own pace, earning points and unlocking rewards as they develop their leadership skills in an online community and “level up their leadership.” Leadership Connect’s four levels of content and curriculum, comprising over 170 lessons, focus on foundational leadership competencies; social-emotional learning and diversity, equity and inclusion; life skills including financial literacy and civic engagement; and the capstone of social enterprise and entrepreneurship. Over the past decade, 21CL has been developing Leadership Connect’s content, with the culminating level of curriculum, Level 4: Social Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Capstone, recently launched in fall 2024 in collaboration with Goizueta. 

“At Goizueta, we believe in the power of leadership and innovation to drive positive change. We’re thrilled to extend this experience to high school students through our partnership with 21st Century Leaders,” shares Gareth James, John H. Harland Dean of Goizueta Business School.  “This Leadership Certificate focuses on topics such as entrepreneurship and social responsibility, offering young leaders a unique opportunity to develop skills early on that are essential for thriving in the world today. We are excited to see the impact these students will make as they apply what they’ve learned in their communities and beyond.”

In its inaugural year, Level 4: Social Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Capstone is time-bound and project-based; students complete lessons and submit assignments between monthly meetings with a cohort of peers and Leadership Connect coaches, all of whom are current MBA candidates or graduates of Goizueta. Collaborating with Goizueta faculty and students, 21CL built out this customized social enterprise curriculum through interactive, gamified content and videos recorded by Goizueta professors and MBA graduates/candidates tailored to high school students. 

Between now and April 2025, these 21st Century Leaders’ high school students will work with their assigned MBA volunteer coach to develop a social enterprise and business pitch together, which will be presented at the end of the school year. The experience will end with an exciting pitch day in person at Goizueta Business School on April 19, 2025. Those that complete Level 4 also receive a Leadership Certificate that is jointly presented by 21st Century Leaders and Goizueta, an exclusive credential for high school students to have as they pursue post-secondary education and career pathways.

“This is an extremely exciting time not just for 21st Century Leaders as an organization, but also for our students who are receiving an experience and education in entrepreneurship and leadership from an international-ranked MBA program – as high school students!” says Kate Hewitt, Executive Director of 21st Century Leaders.  “Our partnership with Goizueta Business School has unlocked potential and opened doors for thousands of students over the last two decades, but this certificate and curriculum has the power to take students to a whole new level of opportunity, success, and careers.”

This year’s cohort includes 28 students from across Georgia – including Berrien, Emanuel, Jefferson, and Harris Counties – and 14 coaches representing Goizueta.

Please join us in congratulating and thanking our 2024-2025 MBA volunteers:

  • Prashant Patro, MBA Candidate ‘25
  • Mackenzie Heriford, MBA Candidate ‘26
  • Jeff Shibata, MBA Candidate ‘26
  • Taylor Green, MBA ‘21 (21CL Alumna)
  • Tom Moak, MBA Candidate ‘25
  • Simran Verma, MBA Candidate ‘26
  • Delaria Ridley, MBA Candidate ‘25
  • Benjamin James, MBA Candidate ‘26
  • David Azu, MBA Candidate ‘25
  • Harsh Tilwani, MBA Candidate ‘26
  • Braden Skripak Gordon, MBA Candidate ‘26
  • James Cochran, MBA Candidate ‘26
  • Alina Mencias, MBA ‘24 (21CL Board of Directors)
  • Nathaniel Okyere-Bour, MBA Candidate ‘26

Congratulations to the inaugural Level 4 cohort participants: Shail Avashia, Innovation Academy ‘26; Bella Burroughs, Harris County HS ‘26; Rishi Byakod, South Forsyth HS ‘26; Jerel Clark, Elite Scholars Academy ‘26; Sreepadha Daram, Innovation Academy ‘26; Sreya Donthineni, Innovation Academy ‘27; Carissa Hagood, Richmond Hill HS ‘27; Tessa Hayes, Jefferson County HS ‘27; Josie Herren, Berrien County HS ‘26; Sarah Ikaiddi, Arabia Mountain HS ‘26; Kaelyn Jin-Britt, Innovation Academy ‘26; Niki Karimifard, Northview HS ‘26; Anshuman Khadanga, Evans HS ‘25; Hannah Lang, Georgia Cyber Academy ‘25; Leia Lankford, Woodstock HS ‘25; Fucheng Li, Darlington School ‘26; Muhammed Marrie, Westlake HS ‘25; Ansh Mithani, Innovation Academy ‘26; Lokesh Pampatti, Chapel Hill HS ‘25; Vidhi Raiyani, Putnam County HS ‘26; Yasmin Rios, Swainsboro HS ‘26; Litzy Sanchez, Morrow HS ‘27; Anjika Shah, Lanier HS ‘27; Rhea Shah, GSMST ‘25; Sauyer Stewart, Arabia Mountain HS ‘25; Victoria Szczesny, Johns Creek HS ‘27, Ronak Vyas, Alpharetta HS ‘25; Jace Williams, Westlake HS ‘26.

About 21st Century Leaders

21st Century Leaders is a non-profit organization with a mission to connect, transform, and inspire high school students from across the state of Georgia to leverage and promote diversity and inclusion, explore career opportunities, and become leaders across their schools, communities, and, ultimately, the workforce. Through innovative programs and experiences, we’re equipping and empowering young talent to lead in companies and communities, while fostering a culture of inclusion and service. Visit www.21stcenturyleaders.org to learn more about our transformational programs for high school students across Georgia. 

About Goizueta Business School

Business education has been an integral part of Emory University’s identity since 1919. That kind of longevity and significance does not come without a culture built on success and service. Emory University’s Goizueta Business School offers a unique, community-oriented environment paired with the academic prestige and rigor of a major research institution. Goizueta develops business leaders of today and tomorrow with an undergraduate degree program, Full-time MBA (Two-Year MBA & One-Year MBA), Evening MBA, Executive MBA, MS in Business Analytics, Master of Finance, Master in Management, Master in Business for Veterans, Doctoral degree, and a portfolio of non-degree Emory Executive Education courses. Together, the Goizueta community strives to solve the world’s most pressing business problems. The school is named for the late Roberto C. Goizueta, former Chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company.

For more information, visit goizueta.emory.edu

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For media inquiries, please contact:

Mitch Leff

Leff & Associates

mitch@leffassociates.com | 404-861-4769

Nicole Smith

Director of Programs & Communications, 21st Century Leaders

nicole@21stcenturyleaders.org | 404-373-7441

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21st Century Leaders Partners with City of Atlanta on Youth Climate Action Fund https://www.21stcenturyleaders.org/21st-century-leaders-partners-with-city-of-atlanta-on-youth-climate-action-fund/ https://www.21stcenturyleaders.org/21st-century-leaders-partners-with-city-of-atlanta-on-youth-climate-action-fund/#respond Thu, 11 Jul 2024 18:17:47 +0000 https://www.21stcenturyleaders.org/?p=9768

FROM THE CITY OF ATLANTA

 

Mayor Andre Dickens Announces Atlanta’s Youth Climate Action Fund to Activate Young People in Driving Climate Solutions

Post Date:07/11/2024 10:45 AM

Mayor’s Office of Communications

Mayor Andre Dickens Announces Atlanta’s Youth Climate Action Fund
to Activate Young People in Driving Climate Solutions

ATLANTA—With 84 percent of youth around the world reporting that they are worried climate change threatens people and the planet, Mayor Andre Dickens announced the application window is open to apply for Atlanta’s new Youth Climate Action Fund. Launched by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Youth Climate Action Fund will provide technical assistance and funding for 100 mayors to activate tens of thousands of young people ages of 15 – 24 years to design, produce and govern urgent climate solutions in their cities. Atlanta joins the Fund alongside 100 cities from around the world, which together spans 38 countries across six continents, representing over 62 million residents.

“With the launch of Atlanta’s Youth Climate Action Fund, we can empower our city’s young innovators to develop youth-led climate solutions designed for the future,” said Mayor Andre Dickens. “Our Administration has made priorities both of investing in our youth and addressing the climate crisis on the local level. Thanks to Bloomberg Philanthropies and additional partners, this is an opportunity to foster the next generation of climate leaders while advancing our efforts to build a more sustainable and resilient Atlanta.”

As part of this program, the City of Atlanta received $50,000 to provide microgrants and convening opportunities in support of youth-led climate initiatives. The Mayor’s Office of Sustainability and Resilience is partnering with 21st Century Leaders, an Atlanta-based nonprofit that has been delivering youth leadership development programming in Georgia for 35 years, to serve as the fiscal sponsor to award microgrants from $1,000 to $5,000. From mobilizing tree-planting or public education campaigns to launching recycling or waste reduction initiatives, efforts stemming from the Youth Climate Action Fund will help advance Atlanta’s sustainability goals.

Young residents ages 15 – 24 years are encouraged to visit Atlanta’s Youth Climate Action Fund webpage to learn more about the Youth Climate Action Fund, supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, and how to submit ideas for the opportunity to receive funding. Applications close Friday, July 25, 2024.

“There’s no age requirement for leadership and we love that the Mayor’s office is investing in the city with this same mindset.” said Kate Hewitt, Executive Director of 21st Century Leaders. “When youth are provided access and opportunity, incredible things happen. We’re proud to partner with the City of Atlanta’s Youth Climate Action Fund where, together, we will advance young leaders to create real change for their local communities and beyond.”

The program will be delivered by United Cities and Local Governments in partnership with the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University. C40 Cities and the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy will collaborate as learning partners. Cities that respond to the urgency of the moment and commit the initial $50,000 within six months will receive an additional $100,000 to support more youth-driven projects over the course of one year.

Young residents ages 15 – 24 are encouraged to visit Atlanta’s Youth Climate Action Fund webpage to learn more and submit ideas for the opportunity.

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For more information about the City of Atlanta, please visit www.atlantaga.gov or watch City Channel 26. Follow the City of Atlanta on Facebook and Twitter @CityofAtlanta

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21ST CENTURY LEADERS CELEBRATES 35 YEARS OF EMPOWERING STUDENTS WITH A $1 MILLION SUSTAINABILITY FUND CAMPAIGN https://www.21stcenturyleaders.org/21st-century-leaders-sustainability-fund-campaign/ https://www.21stcenturyleaders.org/21st-century-leaders-sustainability-fund-campaign/#respond Mon, 03 Jun 2024 17:33:43 +0000 https://www.21stcenturyleaders.org/?p=9524

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

21ST CENTURY LEADERS CELEBRATE 35 YEARS OF EMPOWERING STUDENTS WITH A $1 MILLION SUSTAINABILITY FUND CAMPAIGN

Atlanta, GA (June 4, 2024)—21st Century Leaders, Georgia’s premier youth leadership development program, announced its Empowering Our Future: Sustainability Campaign, which aims to raise $1 million to endow its transformative leadership programs with long-term sustainability and impact. This campaign, coinciding with the organization’s 35th anniversary, will not only provide scalable and accessible programs for all high school students across Georgia but also change the trajectory of their lives, empowering them to become the leaders of tomorrow. 

As we celebrate this milestone year for the organization and how we’re impacting today’s youth, we’re also thinking about the next 35 years and how we will inspire and support those students,” says DeRetta Rhodes, Ph.D., Chairperson, 21CL Board of Directors and EVP Chief Culture Officer, Atlanta Braves. “Ensuring our future schools, communities, and places of work are filled with diverse, empathetic, and talented leaders is a cause we should all want to support.”

In 1989, a group of Georgia-based executives observed a growing and critical need to prepare their employees for leadership and promote collaboration across class and racial barriers. To address this, they founded 21st Century Leaders, aiming to build the next generation of leaders by providing young people with training, guidance, and encouragement to enter college and the workforce with highly developed leadership skills.

For over three and half decades, 21st Century Leaders has empowered and inspired over 18,000 high school students to reach their full potential,” said Kate Hewitt, Executive Director, 21st Century Leaders. “This campaign will ensure we continue to provide accessible programming for all while strategically scaling our leadership development programs for more youth across Georgia to meet the demand of our growing student body.”

The $1 million Sustainability Fund will directly support the annual expansion and enhancement of 21st Century Leaders’ programs. These include:

  • Fully Funding a Summer Leadership Institute: Providing a transformative week-long residential experience for 75-100 students, free of charge.
  • Enrolling an Additional 500 Students in Leadership Connect: Expanding access to this cutting-edge, gamified online platform that equips students with essential leadership skills, badging, and certifications.
  • Launching 10 New School and Community-Based Clubs: Reaching 30% more students with peer-to-peer learning and leadership development opportunities across the state.

Investing in the Future Leaders of Georgia

21st Century Leaders is committed to fostering the next generation of Georgia’s leaders. The ​​Empowering Our Future: Sustainability campaign will ensure long-term stability by investing in staff, programs, and partnerships. It also awards scholarships to graduating seniors. This campaign provides an opportunity for individuals, corporations, and foundations to invest in the future of our state.

How to Get Involved

To learn more about the 21st Century Leaders Sustainability Fund and how individuals, corporations, and foundations can contribute to empowering Georgia’s future leaders, please visit www.21stcenturyleaders.org/endowment or contact Kate Hewitt, Executive Director at kate@21stcenturyleaders.org. 

About 21st Century Leaders

21st Century Leaders is a non-profit organization with a mission to connect, transform, and inspire high school students from across the state of Georgia to leverage and promote diversity and inclusion, explore career opportunities, and become leaders across their schools, communities, and, ultimately, the workforce. Through innovative programs and experiences, we cultivate the skills and knowledge necessary for students to thrive in a globalized world. Visit www.21stcenturyleaders.org to learn more about our transformational programs for high school students across Georgia. 

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Alumni Spotlight: Katherine Bryant https://www.21stcenturyleaders.org/alumni-spotlight-katherine-bryant/ https://www.21stcenturyleaders.org/alumni-spotlight-katherine-bryant/#respond Thu, 18 Apr 2024 12:56:32 +0000 https://www.21stcenturyleaders.org/?p=8640

For our 35th anniversary, we’ll be sharing the stories of 35 alumni showcasing the leaders they are today and how 21st Century Leaders inspired and impacted their journey. Alumni will represent the 3.5 decades since our founding in 1989 – the 1990s, 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s. Take a read and be inspired!

35th Anniversary Alumni Spotlight

 

2000’s Decade
Name
: Katherine Bryant
H.S. Grad Year: Class of 2003
High School: Lakeside High School
College: Presbyterian College; American University
Current Role: Educator at St. Stephens and St. Agnes School; International Development Official at Northwestern University

How has your career unfolded and how did participating in 21CL help prepare you for your next steps going to college, taking on a new leadership role in community/college and after?

I’ve called Washington, D.C. home base since pursuing a master’s degree in International Affairs with a focus in Natural Resources and Sustainable Development from American University in 2010. During my time in D.C. and abroad, I have worked with several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) on issues such as food security, sustainable food systems, and education policy. Currently, I teach and coach at a middle school in Alexandria, VA, where I serve as the Community Engagement and Service-Learning Coordinator. Presbyterian College provided me with the interdisciplinary experience that shapes my classroom teaching. Summer break allows me to remain engaged in global projects designed to support asylum seekers and promote education for all students.

What’s your memorable or ‘aha’ moment during your time at 21CL? (Particular program, meeting a professional and diverse peer, speaking in public for the first time, etc.)

I spent two summers with 21CL and developed friendships with students who I continued to interact with through service organizations across Georgia. I particularly enjoyed the classroom learning and connected field experiences introducing us to the model of social entrepreneurship.

Did 21CL assist you in developing a leadership style that makes you an effective leader? If so, how? 

21CL developed my posture towards networking. Such a process can so often feel empty or insincere, but 21CL emphasized the joy of connecting for a common goal and building relationships that can serve a community beyond oneself.

Why do you believe programs like 21CL are important? And what advice would you give to a current or future student?

I’ve had the delight of interviewing and reviewing applications for potential 21CL students. As a teacher, it’s encouraging to see the high-quality applicants who have genuine motivation to develop their capacity for leadership within their school and communities. I know students’ expectations will be surpassed when they engage with the robust programming offered by 21CL.  I would encourage such students to continue to apply for any and all programs that are missionally-aligned with their own goals and lives. An application process can be life-shaping in itself, helping one to both weave the threads of their story and to also gain vision for the future of which they hope to be a part.

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21CL Announces 2024 Georgia Youth Leadership Awardees https://www.21stcenturyleaders.org/21cl-announces-2024-georgia-youth-leadership-awardees/ https://www.21stcenturyleaders.org/21cl-announces-2024-georgia-youth-leadership-awardees/#comments Thu, 15 Feb 2024 15:18:53 +0000 https://www.21stcenturyleaders.org/?p=8333

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

21 Inspiring Georgia High School Students to Be Recognized at the Be the Inspiration Gala

 

(February 15, 2024) Atlanta, GA – 21st Century Leaders, a Georgia-based nonprofit youth leadership and workforce readiness program for high school students from diverse backgrounds across the state, announces the top 21 youth leaders selected for its annual Georgia Youth Leadership Awards (GYLA). The honorees will be recognized at the nonprofit’s annual fundraising event, the newly renamed Be the Inspiration Gala, presented by Warner Bros. Discovery, to be held on Saturday, March 23, 2024 at Zoo Atlanta in Atlanta, Ga. 

21st Century Leaders (21CL), in partnership with the event’s corporate sponsors and partners, brings together business and civic leaders to raise support for 21st Century Leaders’ year-round leadership programs while also recognizing 21 of their outstanding high school students throughout Georgia who have made a significant impact on their schools, communities and beyond. The 2024 event also marks the special occasion of 21CL’s 35th Anniversary and shared community impact since 1989.

21CL serves over 1,700 students annually and this year’s 21 awardees – all in high school and all members of 21st Century Leaders – include nonprofit founders, entrepreneurs, content creators, advocates, and volunteers who truly represent the diversity of Georgia with students from DeKalb to Emanuel to Columbia counties. The nominated students exhibit 21CL’s leadership qualities of being service-oriented, forward-thinking, resourceful, passionate and inclusive. The 21 awardees were carefully chosen by a 22-member selection committee of business professionals, 21CL Board of Directors, 21CL corporate volunteers and community leaders, and 21CL alumni and student peers. The full selection committee is listed below and on 21CL’s website.

21st Century Leaders is proud to announce the following 21 outstanding youth leaders for the 2024 Georgia Youth Leadership Awards:

  1. Jordan Adeyemi, Phillips Exeter Academy, Gwinnett County
  2. Aditi Ashok, South Forsyth High School, Forsyth County
  3. Prateek Doddla, Chattahoochee High School, Fulton County
  4. Shiv Garg, Innovation Academy, Fulton County
  5. Joshua Girgis, Montessori School of Rome, Floyd County
  6. Melanie Harper, Marist School, Fulton County
  7. Christian Hooks, Grayson High School, Gwinnett County
  8. Humza Iqbal, Parkview High School, Gwinnett County
  9. Diana Jachman, Midtown High School, Fulton County
  10. Hannah-Lisa Jones, Johnson Ferry Christian Academy, Fulton County
  11. Anshuman Khadanga, Lakeside High School (Evans), Columbia County
  12. Hannah Lang, Georgia Cyber Academy, Walton County
  13. Akanksha Manna, Campbell High School, Cobb County
  14. Maya Matthews, Westlake High School, Fulton County
  15. Olaoluwa Oguneye, Decatur High School, DeKalb County
  16. Abigail Rong, Denmark High School, Forsyth County 
  17. Dhahami Salgado, Emanuel County Institute, Emanuel County
  18. Rhea Shah, Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science & Technology, Gwinnett County
  19. Ishita Sukul, Johns Creek High School, Fulton County
  20. Zarina Wang, Lambert High School, Forsyth County
  21. Ivy Yang, Alpharetta High School, Fulton County

Through corporate sponsors’ support, each youth leader will be presented with a $500 grant at the Be the Inspiration Gala, with one student awarded the Warner Bros. Discovery Student Leadership Award – the event’s top award which includes a $1,000 grant from the presenting sponsor, Warner Bros. Discovery. Students are also paired with coaches who mentor the students throughout the event season. Our Georgia Youth Leadership Award Coaches are recognized and accomplished community leaders and/or members of Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 40 Under 40 alumni, maintaining a partnership established with the group in 2008 when 21st Century Leaders first launched this event. The student  winners and coaches met at a private Meet + Greet luncheon on Saturday, February 10, 2024 at Emory’s Goizueta Business School, a sponsor and supporter.

This year’s Be the Inspiration Gala is being led by Co-Chairs and 21CL Board of Directors members Mari Sifo of Host Hotels and Resorts and Chi Nguyen of Insight Global. For more information about the Be the Inspiration Gala or to purchase a ticket to the event, please visit www.21stcenturyleaders.org. All proceeds from the event will support 21CL’s ongoing efforts to provide youth leadership and talent development programs for high school students across Georgia at little to no cost to students.

Georgia Youth Leadership Awards Coaches: 

The Georgia Youth Leadership Award coaches for the 2024 student winners are Sam Aguilar, Atlanta Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America*; Monique Bell, Bobby Dodd Institute*; Maranie Brown, BlackRock, 21CL Board of Directors*; Greg Clay, City of Atlanta, 21CL Alumnus*; Whitney Deal Marshall, Whitney Marshall Coaching*; Alex Ebanks, Essence; Chandra Farley, City of Atlanta, Mayor’s Office of Sustainability and Resilience*; David Felfoldi, SHERPA Global*; Marty Fleischmann, All Electric Racing Organization (AERO), 21CL Board of Directors*; TreVorski Garrett, Cox; Taylor Green, IBM, 21CL Alumna; JP James, Libreum International, 21CL Board of Directors; Kelly Lee, Atlanta DREAM*; Clarke LeGrande, Cobb Medical Center, Wellstar; Dr. Brandon Morgan, Iconic Orthodontics, 21CL Alumnus*; Christian Murphy, Wellspring Living*; Michael Quigley, QVH Media*; Taunia Nkromo-Stevenson, CNN, Warner Bros. Discovery; Angela Williams, AMBSE*; Thurman Williams, Community Volunteer, Coca-Cola Alumni*; Anqi Zou, Truist, 21CL Board of Directors*

*Coaches who also served on the Selection Committee

Georgia Youth Leadership Awards Selection Committee
All nominations were reviewed by our 22-member GYLA Selection Committee, comprised of  21CL corporate volunteers, 21CL Board of Directors, and 21CL alumni and student peers. Committee members included the coaches indicated above, along with Arjun Chowdri, Hagerty, 21CL Board of Directors; Cam Henson, Citibank, 21CL Alumni Board; Asher Jones, MarketSource, 21CL Alumni Board; Felicia McDade, Engie; Patrick Solomon, The Collective 180, 21CL Advisory Council; Kristopher Williams, Warner Bros. Discovery; and Raveena Ali, 21CL member, Youth Ambassador and 2023 GYLA Student Recipient. 

 

About 21st Century Leaders
Since 1989, 21st Century Leaders has served more than 17,000 diverse high school students from over 250 Georgia high schools. 21st Century Leaders’ mission is to connect, transform, and inspire high school students from diverse backgrounds across the state of Georgia to leverage diversity, explore career opportunities, and become leaders in their school, community, and ultimately the workforce. 

21st Century Leaders is celebrating 35 years of inspiring youth to lead in 2024, with an updated website, a refreshed annual fundraising gala, and content throughout the year highlighting success stories of 35 alumni from the past 3.5 decades along with 21CL’s leadership values and competencies, and fundraising campaigns to sustain and expand its ongoing impact.

21st Century Leaders is currently accepting student applications (until March 1st) into their leadership and development program and for their summer leadership institutes for the 2024 summer. The summer leadership institutes are residential one-week programs hosted on a college campus with our corporate partners and business professionals. 21CL accepts rising sophomores, juniors and seniors. For more information about 21st Century Leaders, visit www.21stcenturyleaders.org

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For media inquiries, please contact:
Nicole Meadows
Director of Programs & Communications, 21st Century Leaders
nicole@21stcenturyleaders.org | 404.373.7441

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21st Century Leaders Receives ‘2023 Excellence Award’ https://www.21stcenturyleaders.org/21st-century-leaders-receives-2023-excellence-award/ https://www.21stcenturyleaders.org/21st-century-leaders-receives-2023-excellence-award/#respond Thu, 04 Jan 2024 14:28:36 +0000 https://staging.21stcenturyleaders.org/?p=6792 The Georgia Afterschool & Youth Development Awards, led by GSAN (Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network), honor outstanding professionals, programs, and youth and recognize honorees for their efforts and excellence in the afterschool and youth development field.

21st Century Leaders was honored to received the 2023 Excellence Award on October 27, 2023. The Excellence Award is for an outstanding afterschool or youth development program that meets the highest standards of quality in the field and demonstrates capacity to meet the needs of children, youth and families in their community.

“For 35 years, 21st Century Leaders has been inspiring thousands of high school students across the state of Georgia and this recognition is a testament to the service that hundreds of community members, partners, supporters, and staff have dedicated to our students,” said executive director, Kate Hewitt. “We’re grateful for GSAN’s support in uplifting all non-profits across Georgia.”

The 2023 Georgia ASYD Award finalists were selected by an independent panel of judges. All award recipients were announced during the 2023 Georgia ASYD Awards and Professional Learning Summit at Middle Georgia State University. Learn more about GSAN and their AYSD Awards.

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Alumni Spotlight: Keyla Cabret-Lewis https://www.21stcenturyleaders.org/alumni-spotlight-keyla-cabret-lewis/ https://www.21stcenturyleaders.org/alumni-spotlight-keyla-cabret-lewis/#respond Thu, 04 Jan 2024 13:51:45 +0000 https://staging.21stcenturyleaders.org/?p=6689

For our 35th anniversary, we’ll be sharing the stories of 35 alumni showcasing the leaders they are today and how 21st Century Leaders inspired and impacted their journey. Alumni will represent the 3.5 decades since our founding in 1989 – the 1990s, 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s. Take a read and be inspired!

35th Anniversary Alumni Spotlight

1990’s Decade
Name
: Keyla Cabret-Lewis
H.S. Grad Year: Class of 1997
High School: Carver High School (Columbus, GA)
College: Columbus State University
Current Role: Vice President, DEI + Talent Development, Aflac

How has your career unfolded and how did participating in 21CL help prepare you for your next steps going to college, taking on a new leadership role in community/college?

I started in corporate America very young -a sophomore in High School- so going into the 21st Century Leaders program was very timely and appropriate development training for me.  Some of lessons that I learned during the program were brand new but more importantly much of the content in the program detailed working in teams, etiquette, etc., and I was already experiencing this at work.  This made the program very applicable and appealing.

What’s your memorable or ‘aha’ moment during your time at 21CL? (Particular program, meeting a professional and diverse peer, speaking in public for the first time, etc.)

It’s hard to pick one moment out of the experience…this was my 1st time away from my home overnight and meeting teens from out of town was not common so the exposure to so many different young people of like minds was cool.  That we were all there to learn about being leaders was eye opening too…so many commonalities, many differences but we all wanted to do more for ourselves, families, communities.  Humbling even at that age.

Keyla is third in from right at a 21CL summer institute.

Did 21CL assist you in developing a leadership style that makes you an effective leader? If so, how? 

I would say that the fact the organization still exists with the sole purpose to lift young people up and teach them more about leadership and themselves…that’s an effective leadership characteristic that I believe in.

Why do you believe programs like 21CL are important? And what advice would you give to a current or future student?

Programs like 21st Century Leaders are key to the development of young people’s soft skills. Many times, academia focuses on technical skills but does not always spend time on the skills that help young people interact with adults during interviews, during lunches/dinners, communicate with people via email professionally, work as a team…all these skills are critical in the workplace and lead to success.  Why not start cultivating these skills in high school.  I often tell young people that I come across, “find a good internship, co-op, or program that can help you prepare for the workplace”.  21st Century Leaders does that and more.

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Be the Inspiration Gala https://www.21stcenturyleaders.org/event/be-the-inspiration-gala/ https://www.21stcenturyleaders.org/event/be-the-inspiration-gala/#respond Sat, 23 Mar 2024 22:00:00 +0000 https://staging.21stcenturyleaders.org/?post_type=tribe_events&p=4409 Get Involved 

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