Alumni Spotlight: Philip Musey, Jr.

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?

My career has been a thrilling whirlwind of twists and turns. I’ve worked in finance, consulting, and in the creative arts, and have had exposure to several different sectors as a strategist, from media/entertainment to retail to nonprofits and more. The most valuable tool that I’ve been able to bring to the table in each of these fields is my tolerance for ambiguity. 21st Century Leaders exposed me to counselors, community leaders, and business professionals who led organizations through tough times with integrity, grace, and compassion, despite not always having 100% complete information. I think this instilled in me a willingness to lean into uncertainty, and to remain true to myself when leading teams through challenging times. 

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 distinctly remember interviewing for the 21CL Youth Board, currently known as Youth Ambassadors, at the offices of Alston & Bird in Atlanta in the summer of 2011. It was a group interview with some of the Board members of 21CL. I was sitting amongst a group of wildly talented peers, who were all highly effective communicators, compassionate/community-minded citizens, and just all-around down-to-earth people. My “aha” in that moment, was that my generation’s (and the generations that follow) potential is boundless. Our group conversation reinforced to me that we’re poised to take on the most difficult issues of our time, across all fields. That interview instilled a spirit in me of never “going it alone,” so to speak, and to always ensure that whatever team I’m fortunate enough to lead has space and safety to bring new ideas to the table.

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

I think 21CL helped me understand the connection between effective communication and effective leadership. A leader’s vision is only as effective as his/her ability to express it. I’ve always cared immensely about language (both written and spoken). 21CL gave me frameworks (i.e., the elevator pitch, the cold call, extemporizing, etc.) that helped me channel my sometimes-scattered thoughts into a coherent vision. Notably, my experiences with 21CL fortified my confidence as a public speaker and encouraged me to raise my hand eagerly for public speaking opportunities throughout my 20’s. 

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

Programs like 21CL have a highly measurable impact on the lives of the students that participate in them. At an early age, I was exposed to people who shaped my vision of who I could become. They say if you can see it, you can be it. Well, throughout my time with 21CL, I saw filmmakers and executives and public servants and artists and lawyers and television anchors and more. The leaders I met through 21CL made me feel like the world was a blank book, and that I was free to write whatever I wanted in the chapters that followed. I’m so grateful for 21CL taking an interest in me. And for all current and future 21CL students, I would say, pay it forward. Take an interest in others. Have a coffee or a phone call with others coming up behind you. Pass on your knowledge and experiences. It’s the most surefire way of making the world a better place. 

BONUS: View Philip’s Tedx Talk (Brookwood Community College) titled “Garrett Morgan & The Spirit of Black Entrepreneurship.” Philip and fellow 21CL Alumnus Cabral Clements have produced an award-winning short film about black inventor Garrett Morgan, which is a foundation for further media production.