Alumni Spotlight: Raigon Wilson

This month we resume our monthly 21CL Alumni Spotlights with Alumna Raigon Wilson, a graduate of Marietta High School (2014) and of Howard University (2018). Raigon currently works alongside non-profits and NGOs as a nutritionist and community advocate for food security in oppressed and repressed populations. She says that she always cared about helping others and 21CL gave her the skill set she needed to really affect change!

Paint a brief picture of what you are doing now.

I’ve been working as a nutritionist and community advocate in public health and anti-hunger spaces. Alongside non-profits and NGOs, I develop and assess programming that promotes food security in oppressed and repressed populations. My career allowed me to serve in academic and professional fellowships in India, and most recently, Germany, through the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange. The pandemic saw me back in the States earlier than expected, so I’m using this transitional period to become TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certified and volunteer with Marietta YELLS (Youth Empowerment through Learning, Leading, and Serving).

How did participating in 21CL transform you and lead you to where you are now?

I always cared about helping others, and 21CL gave me the skillset I needed to really affect change. I learned lessons as a high school student that built my confidence pursuing leadership positions, networking, and communicating with the public today. 21CL taught me the power of servant leadership, which is integral to the type of work I do.

How did 21CL prepare you for your next steps? Going into college and taking on leadership roles, heading into a new era of professionalism, etc. What skills/tools/perspectives have helped you along the way?

My senior year of high school, I was humbled to be recognized for my fundraising and community advocacy as a recipient of 21CL’s Georgia Youth Leadership Awards. This honor solidified my desire to begin a career of social justice. I knew how to sell myself through various application processes – for scholarships, e-board positions, and eventually, jobs – because I got to practice with professionals at 21CL. Now, tasks like leading grant projects seem like second nature to me.

Which programs did you participate in, and when? What skills did you gain or improve through those programs?

I participated in G5 @ Goizueta, the Emory business summer program that is known now as SYLI, in 2011. It was incredibly motivating to practice teamwork and public speaking with other ambitious students.

What was a memorable or ‘aha’ moment in 21CL? (Particular program, meeting a professional and diverse peers, speaking in public for the first time, etc.?

I will never forget the talent show we put on during the summer program! I remember thinking, our generation of leaders is smart, innovative, caring, and incredibly silly.

Did 21CL assist you in developing a leadership style that makes you an effective leader? if so how? And have you recently learned something else about leadership? Please share!

The mentorship I received through 21CL helped me to realize how my more “introverted” traits – perceptiveness, patience – can be used to be an effective leader. Leadership is such a fluid skill; I’m learning to find balance and be more adaptable in how I show up for myself as a professional, and for the causes I care so much about.

Alumni Spotlight: Tyrik Wynn

Our alumni spotlight for June 2020 is Tyrik Amon Wynn, a graduate of Community Christian School (2018) and currently a rising junior at Georgia State University. Even at a very young age, Tyrik is an author, an entrepreneur, and a TV Talk Show Host. He says that participating in 21CL programs is one of the biggest highlights of his life!

Paint a brief picture of what you are doing now.

Right now, I have a whole lot going on. I am an author I released my 1st book at age 14 called “Green Is The Thing! Money Management For Kids.” I just released my 2nd book called “How To Create Your Own TV Talk Show.” I’m an entrepreneur, the name of my business is “Wynn Productions LLC.” We specialize in video production, commercials, general videos, virtual business cards, TV shows and more. I’m the youngest talk show host who is on TV. The name of my show is called “Tyrik On The Move.” On my show I interview some of the biggest celebrities, feature some of the best places and cover some of the hottest events. Currently I am a rising junior at Georgia State University. Going into my junior year I will be taking on the role of Executive Producer of Panther Report News, Georgia State University’s broadcast news station. Also I have been elected as the President of the National Association of Black Journalist at Georgia State.

How did participating in 21CL transform you and lead you to where you are now?

Participating in 21CL was one of the biggest highlights of my entire life. I participated in Turner Voices Youth Media Institute (now WarnerMedia Institute for Future Leaders) because I had a strong passion for journalism. Participating in the institute helped me enhance my television skills a whole lot. Some of the things that I learned I still use them now. Not only that, my leadership skills have grown as well and it has allowed me to take on more leadership roles. During the camp I was also able to meet all kinds of great people my age who are interested in the same things I am, and I still keep in contact with some of them.

How did 21CL prepare you for your next steps? Going into college and taking on leadership roles, heading into a new era of professionalism, etc. What skills/tools/perspectives have helped you along the way?

During the summer institute we were able to stay on Georgia Tech’s campus for a week which means we were put in dorms and given roommates. That experience showed me what it would be like staying on a college campus and it was quite enjoyable. As mentioned earlier, following 21CL I was able to take on major leadership roles. Some of those roles are entrepreneur, NABJ-GSU President, Executive Producer, talk show host, anchor and more…

Which programs did you participate in, and when? What skills did you gain or improve through those programs?

I participated in the Turner Voices Youth Media Institute back in summer 2017 and I also participated in school-year programs, like 21CL’s Goizueta Youth Leadership Summit in 2018.

What was a memorable or ‘aha’ moment in 21CL? (Particular program, meeting a professional and diverse peers, speaking in public for the first time, etc.?

The most memorable moment was when I was able to close out the week summer program by doing a speech on the last day at the institute’s closing session. All the 21CL students and their parents were there so it was a very big audience. Not only did it help me develop better public speaking skills, it was fun and everyone seemed to have enjoyed it.

Did 21CL assist you in developing a leadership style that makes you an effective leader? if so how? And have you recently learned something else about leadership? Please share!

Yes, during the 21CL summer leadership institute I learned about leadership as having confidence, staying humble, listening to what others have to say, speaking up, dressing to impress and more.

Alumni Spotlight: Jordan Schwartz

21CL Alumna Jordan Schwartz is a graduate of Atlanta Girls’ School (2011), of Bryn Mawr College (2015) and of University of Oregon (2017). She is a veteran stage actress and producer that began acting in 2nd grade and has appeared in about 32 productions. She is the founder of The Children’s Bilingual Theater, a student run theatrical outreach that since 2004 has been bringing bilingual programming to venues in the metro Atlanta area. The Children’s Bilingual Theater has produced 6 bilingual musicals and 15 storytelling and literacy events and has lead more than 200 volunteers as cast and crew that have reached over 6000 audience members. Jordan is also one of our 2008 Georgia Youth Leadership Award recipients and currently works as Associate Producing Director at Fonseca Theater Company in Indianapolis.

Paint a brief picture of what you are doing now.

I am Associate Producing Director, Fonseca Theater Company. In addition to logistical support of our main season (contracts, schedules, etc.), a lot of my focus is on nurturing our community and educational programs. Right now, we offer a youth drama class for ages 6-12, where students develop their own original play based on a theme – our most recent class focused on mysteries and detective stories. I also handle a range of daily administrative things within finance, development, and marketing.

How did participating in 21CL transform you and lead you to where you are now?

I was a Georgia Youth Leadership Award recipient in 2008; a lot has happened since then. After graduating from high school in 2011, I went to Bryn Mawr College from where I graduated in 2015 and then went on to the University of Oregon and in 2017 received my Master’s in Arts Administration with a concentration in Performing Arts Management.  After graduation, I joined the Phoenix Theatre in Indianapolis as Director of Literary Programs and Outreach. In 2018, Bryan Fonseca the Producing Director Emeritus of the Phoenix Theatre launched Fonseca Theatre Company and I joined this venture as Associate Producing Director and have the honor of also being an artistic director. The innovative structure of the company includes four artistic directors working with Bryan to bring diversity and inclusion from the arts community. The mission of the new theater is to “give voice to the disenfranchised in our community. The sharing of culture is essential to our nation’s health, and we will focus on work by and/or about minority artists to bring together the city’s growing minority communities.”

How did 21CL prepare you for your next steps? Going into college and taking on leadership roles, heading into a new era of professionalism, etc. What skills/tools/perspectives have helped you along the way?

The experiences and opportunities from 21st Century Leaders gave me the tools to continue on my learning and career paths. Leveraging Diversity is the most important skill I learned from 21CL. My work with The Fonseca Theatre Company brings my vision and work with The Children’s Bilingual Theater to a wonderful intersection. Our educational program is roughly 60 percent Latino, 30 percent African American, and 10 percent White/Other. Being culturally-focused, our shows have also brought together some of the most diverse audiences in the city and engaged a lot of first-time theatre-goers. Our collective reflects the community, and it’s important for folks to be able to see themselves reflected in an organization and on stage and being well received by minority artists’ community is very fundamental to my driving force. Art and culture are so deeply connected and working on a project rooted in your own experience makes for a better artistic product and a more satisfying process. Several of our artists have identified their experience with us as among the most impactful in their careers, both artistically and professionally.

What was a memorable or ‘aha’ moment in 21CL? (Particular program, meeting a professional and diverse peers, speaking in public for the first time, etc.?

It was wonderful getting to meet all the other motivated high school students across Georgia and hearing about the amazing work they were doing! Digging into community work and specific projects can be all-encompassing, and 21CL was an important reminder of the other talented young people working to make the world better. The experience was both motivating and empowering, but also humbling and I just know everyone from 21CL has gone on to do amazing things!

Did 21CL assist you in developing a leadership style that makes you an effective leader? if so how? And have you recently learned something else about leadership? Please share!

Leveraging Diversity has been my foremost guiding principle. As an arts advocate and community leader and especially as a young woman of color that lives with a congenital disability (I was diagnosed with Turner’s Syndrome when I was 12 years old) I have a unique voice and have acquired a body of experience to share with other youth! I continue to use art to advocate and to give voice to the disenfranchised in our community. The sharing of culture is essential to our nation’s health, and I focus on work by and/or about minority artists to bring together minority communities. I have lived in Philadelphia as a college undergraduate, had jobs, volunteered, had fun, moved to Eugene Oregon for grad school, worked, volunteered and went to football games, traveled to seminars in Portland, St Louis, Chicago, Boston, Orlando and have always found a way and that is what I would like to convey to future 21CL youth. Find a way and find your way!

Alumni Spotlight: Jennifer Rice

Alumna Jennifer Rice is a graduate of Providence Christian Academy (2018), a sophomore transfer student and a journalism major at North Carolina A&T State University  and has been making major contributions in the media industry and in her communities.  In her post she shares how 21st Century Leaders taught her to make a positive contribution to each situation and inspired her to live each day to the fullest. 

Paint a brief picture of what you are doing now.

My work experience and memberships at North Carolina A&T State University includes recently developing a multimedia network called “THE HUB”, content creator for HBCU Pulse, campus media manager for Bumble, article contributor to The A&T Register, SGA Senator, Honors Ambassador, NAACP, and voter registration.  As a journalism major, I have also had the pleasure of interviewing Film Producer Kevin Wilson, NBA Player Chris Paul, TV/Radio Personalities Roland Martin and Angela Rye, Democratic Presidential Candidate Elizabeth Warren, and North Carolina Democratic Congresswoman Candidate Rhonda Foxx.  I will also be starting a Planned Parenthood chapter at Greensboro, NC.  “I have learned that success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”  I am so excited about what the future holds!

How did participating in 21CL transform you and lead you to where you are now?

Participating in 21st Century Leaders helped to polish my public speaking , elevator pitch/communication and networking skills. In my freshman year at Florida A&M University, I was WANM 90.5 radio personality “J Live,” Assistant Producer for FAMU TV20, Presidential Ambassador, and Student Relations Committee Liaison.  I also received the FAMU Outstanding Freshman Award.  This past summer, I was a Roving Reporter for Dekalb County TV23.

How did 21CL prepare you for your next steps? Going into college and taking on leadership roles, heading into a new era of professionalism, etc. What skills/tools/perspectives have helped you along the way?

21CL prepared me for college and leadership roles.  I was more than prepared for any interview with resume and business cards in hand as well as executive style dress.

Which programs did you participate in, and when? What skills did you gain or improve through those programs?

I participated in several 21CL programs including two summer leadership institutes and all of the school-year programs; including, Turner Voices Youth Media Institute at GA Tech, Summer Youth Leadership Institute (SYLI) at Goizueta, Emory University, the school-year summits, and served as a Youth Leadership Council/Youth Ambassador for a couple of years.

I was also a 2018 Georgia Youth Leadership Award Winner and top student fundraiser for 21CL on Georgia Gives Day.

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

A memorable moment for me was when Mr Bob Watson told our 21CL group to always leave our environment better than we found it.  His words always ring in my mind and inspired me to live each day to the fullest, to always give and do my best, to make a positive contribution to every situation, and to realize that life is full of “teachable moments.”

Did 21CL assist you in developing a leadership style that makes you an effective leader? if so how? And have you recently learned something else about leadership? Please share!

Servant leadership has been an effective leadership style for me.  It is a leadership style in which you set the example serving others first.  The leader makes sure that the needs of the team or surrounding community are met before hers.  The team/community benefits by growing wiser, healthier, wealthier, etc and hopefully picks up the example of serving others.

Alumni Spotlight: Jason Soucy Tilley

Our first alumni spotlight for March 2020 is Jason Soucy Tilley, a graduate of South Effingham High School (2005) and of University of West Georgia (2009), and University of Texas (post graduate, 2011). He is a Multi-site Apartment Community Manager at MAA (Mid-America Apartments) in Nashville, Tennessee. Jason says that during his time at 21CL’s summer institutes, he developed a newfound sense of confidence and ability to network with proficiency.

Paint a brief picture of what you are doing now.

I am currently a multi-site apartment community manager, managing as many as 748 apartment homes and over 1,200 residents. Outside of management, I serve as a committee member of our company’s corporate charity, the Open Arms Foundation, serve in a regional leadership training role, and I am on several committees within our apartment association. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my spouse and our dogs in our Nashville home, hiking, cooking, and volunteering with our local United Way chapter.

How did participating in 21CL transform you and lead you to where you are now?

Growing up in a low-income family, I did not have access to many opportunities to build professional skills. I was also very shy and somewhat awkward. 21CL came along and completely changed that. Over my time at the summer institutes, I developed a newfound sense of confidence and ability to network with proficiency. As a result, I find myself today seeking opportunities to further develop my network and professional skill set to better myself and others.

How did 21CL prepare you for your next steps? Going into college and taking on leadership roles, heading into a new era of professionalism, etc. What skills/tools/perspectives have helped you along the way?

During my summer institutes, I learned how to have productive conversations, manage conflict, appreciate and embrace diversity, and speak with confidence in public. These skills prepared me for college, where I held leadership positions—including a presidency—of two student organizations by the end of my first year. After graduating, I utilized those skills in graduate school, where I was elected to similar leadership opportunities. The drive that 21CL helped build within me has led to today, the time in which I find myself a successful professional with a large network and numerous opportunities to better myself and those around me.

Which programs did you participate in, and when? What skills did you gain or improve through those programs?

I attended Summer Leadership Institutes at Southern Polytechnic State University (prior to its merger with Kennesaw State University) and Georgia Southern University in the summers of 2003 and 2004.

What was a memorable or ‘aha’ moment in 21CL? (Particular program, meeting a professional and diverse peers, speaking in public for the first time, etc.?

I have two distinct 21CL “aha moments.” The first came during an event for which Dr. Beheruz Sethna, the president of the University of West Georgia, was the speaker. During this speech, Dr. Sethna presented about college readiness, the standardized test taking process, and admissions. It was a great speech! At the end of the speech, he allowed for questions. I found myself doing something I’d have never done before 21CL—I raised my hand to ask a question. With butterflies, I asked “How do you account for students with good grades who perform badly on standardized tests as a result of test taking anxiety?” I was so nervous, I don’t even remember his answer! But I do remember the support of my peer group, who applauded me for asking the question.

The second “aha moment” also is related to an act of courage. Our group leader, Era Hall (who was my biggest advocate), brought us to the Westin hotel in Atlanta. Which had a glass elevator going all the way to the top. Terrified of heights, I refused at first. She insisted I go and wouldn’t let me say “No.” Her persistence made me cave, and I did. I survived. And, aside from taking a bold approach in my everyday leadership approach, I now have been to the observation decks of the Willis and Hancock Towers in Chicago and enjoy roller coasters.

Did 21CL assist you in developing a leadership style that makes you an effective leader? if so how? And have you recently learned something else about leadership? Please share!

I consider my leadership style to be borne from 21CL and honed over time throughout college, graduate school, and my career. I would describe my leadership style as Servant Leadership governed by Three C’s: cool, collaborative, and caring. Remaining calm and level-headed has always been a natural strength of mine. However, 21CL taught me collaboration skills that form the cornerstone of my style. One of my favorite components of leadership is guiding my team or my peers to getting the answers on their own by remaining positive and uplifting and asking intentional questions for them to get where they need to go. Doing so leads to their own empowerment, which only makes them better. And eventually it becomes a beautiful, continuously enriching cycle.

I live by this leadership motto: “My goal is to make you so good at what you do that I become superfluous.” Thanks, 21CL, for making me so motivated to serve others that I desire nothing more than to work myself out of importance.

Alumni Spotlight: Queentela Benjamin

Our second alumni spotlight for February 2020 is Queentela Benjamin, a graduate of Campbell High School (Smyrna) (2013) and of Boston University (2017). She is one of the 2013 Gates Millennium Scholars- a scholarship that has funded both her undergraduate and postgraduate studies. Queentela is currently a dual degree candidate for Masters Degrees in Biomedical Science and in Public Health at Tufts University School of Medicine.

Paint a brief picture of what you are doing now.

I am a student at Tufts University School of Medicine where I am a dual degree candidate for masters degrees in Biomedical Science and Public Health (MBS/MPH). My area of concentration is Health Services Management and Policy. I chose this program because it allows me to fuse my intrigue of foundational biomedical concepts with my interest in broader aspects of public health. With this knowledge, I am able to understand overarching health issues and trends without losing sight of their scientific underpinnings. For example, understanding the trends in the prevalence of HIV in developing nations is one thing, however, also understanding exactly how antiretroviral therapies work to reduce the viral loads in our bodies adds another level of comprehension. My goal is to be able to find ways to merge both buckets of knowledge, preferably working to reduce preventable health disparities in Sub-Saharan Africa.

I am also rooted in this work domestically in my work at Health Leads, a healthcare organization that works to address social determinants of health by engaging with health systems and key decision makers in the U.S. In my specific role, I manage the database of national and community-based resources that our various hospital partners use to close the ‘need-gap’ that many patients face when seeking medical care. We ask questions such as, “what basic resources does this patient need in order to achieve healthier outcomes?”. This essential question stands at the epicenter of my daily work and really compels me to think of ways to contribute to the efforts to make our health system more equitable.

How did participating in 21CL transform you and lead you to where you are now?

One of 21CL’s core principles is the teaching of being ‘service-oriented.’ Learning this earlier on as a high school student helped shape my approach to academic and professional development. I made it a priority to engage in community-based service opportunities when in college. Throughout the four years, I volunteered in the pediatrics department of Boston Medical Center, working to connect families to community resources to address their basic social and healthcare needs. I listened to their concerns, provided support, and allowed them to take the lead in directing the course of my assistance. Through weekly follow-ups with families and individuals, I was able to build relationships and help them access basic resources they needed to get healthier.

This community engagement opportunity equipped me with the skills, knowledge and experience to contribute to my current role. I use these earlier encounters to inform the work that I do and daily decisions that I make. Utilizing 21CL’s principle of being service-oriented, I have led my team on multiple projects, including an initiative to update our standards of work to be patient-centered, clear, and written with consideration of the most vulnerable populations in our communities. This experience has taught me that, when we are service-oriented, we can create systems that keep the most vulnerable people in mind and, in turn, open doors for greater equity in health care access and outcomes.

How did 21CL prepare you for your next steps? Going into college and taking on leadership roles, heading into a new era of professionalism, etc. What skills/tools/perspectives have helped you along the way?

21CL helped me orient my mind to confidently take full advantage of opportunities that I came across while in college. With this mindset, I ensured that I took on meaningful leadership roles that resonated with my core mission and values. For example, I co-lead my campus’ Gates Millennium Scholars organization, which gave me an opportunity to organize professional development workshops. I also took on a leadership role within my campus’ Minority Associate of Pre-health Students (MAPS). In my last year, I assumed the role of campus coordinator, recruiting and training more patient advocates to staff the pediatrics desk at Boston Medical Center. This gave me a stepping stool to my first full-time job opportunity post-college.

While juggling the various roles I have played, one thing that has constantly resonated with me is the concept of balance. When I commit to something, I like to give it my all. Therefore, it was important that I not only engage in these opportunities, but to ensure that each process was purposeful for me. I also realized that I couldn’t do it all and needed to have balance. Some days I forget this, thinking that I am superwoman. But taking a step back and always re-evaluating my ‘why’ has kept me grounded. I am thankful that this learning process started around 21CL.

Which programs did you participate in, and when? What skills did you gain or improve through those programs?

I was in the 2012 Cohort of the CNN Leadership Unplugged program, stationed at Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech). This was an invaluable experience for both personal and professional reasons. First of all, this program was offered at a significantly reduced cost compared to a lot of other summer programs. This made it affordable for me to be able to participate and build key skills that I would need in college and beyond. I engaged in workshops, sharpened my presentation skills, collaborated with team members and learned how to network. This exposure has made me more confident in my academic and professional work. Seeing the benefits, I encouraged my two younger siblings to also participate in this program. They did, and they loved it. I also later served on the Junior Advisory Board.

The impact of participating in this program has been lasting. I met one of my mentors, Dr. Dede Teteh, through 21CL. Through her guidance and support, I applied and was blessed to be chosen as one of the 2013 Gates Millennium Scholars—a scholarship that has funded me through my undergraduate and graduate studies. All in all, I am thankful for the lessons, skills and robust network that I was able to form through this program.

 What was a memorable or ‘aha’ moment in 21CL? (Particular program, meeting a professional and diverse peers, speaking in public for the first time, etc.?

21CL was also one of my first opportunities to build on my speaking and facilitation skills. These skills have been essential for me– both academically and professionally. One of the first speeches I delivered was actually at the 21CL summer leadership institute closing ceremony, and that gave me the confidence to continue to study how to connect with different audiences over the years. Since then, I have given more speeches, sat on panels, facilitated discussions and presentations and generally built more confidence in this area. I am glad that I had the exposure to team building and facilitation earlier on because this provided a platform on which I have continued building upon.

Alumni Spotlight: Brandon Ona

Our second alumni spotlight for January 2020 is Brandon Ona, a graduate of Mill Creek High School (2012) and of The George Washington University (2016). He currently works as an Associate International Trade Manager at Georgia Department of Economic Development where he has been working since 2017 after his previous work at The White House! Brandon has recently joined the 21CL Junior Board of Directors.

Paint a brief picture of what you are doing now.

Since graduating college, I have worked in the public sector for both federal and state government. Today, I work for the Georgia Department of Economic Development and my role is to help small businesses in Georgia access economic opportunities in countries around the world. I always try to find time to volunteer at 21CL events where I provide my experience to students currently in the program and share the incredible opportunities that being a part of 21CL has opened up to me; I have just started serving on the 21CL Junior Board of Directors and my hope is to continue inspiring young people, and to share my message that the “secret to success” for a meaningful career is to find out who you care about the most and what you are best at, and when you put the two together, you change the game for everyone else.

How did participating in 21CL transform you and lead you to where you are now?

I participated in the 2011 Leadership Unplugged: A CNN Experience (now called the Youth Media Institute) program with 21CL, a program that was designed to develop our leadership skills through the lens of journalism. From the moment I arrived, I was eager to meet the other young leaders, who like myself, were high school students from Georgia. However, as I got to know my new peers, I quickly learned that we all had different stories despite having so much in common.

Admittedly at the time, and still to this day, I had no interest in making a career in journalism, let alone being a leader in this field. However, during the program, we learned how to lead with curiosity to find the common thread through our diverse stories.  This is when the leadership skills through journalism came into play and changed my life. In many ways, I learned how to relate and connect with others, while admiring what sets us apart. To me this was, and very much still is the ultimate lesson in leadership, and I am so grateful to have learned this as a young person. As a 21st Century Leader, I realized for the first time that leadership is finding what is unique and universal in all of us, and knowing that our diversity is what propels us forward. This is a principle I have carried with me ever since, and has led me to opportunities I could never have imagined possible if it was not for a 21CL program.

How did 21CL prepare you for your next steps? Going into college and taking on leadership roles, heading into a new era of professionalism, etc. What skills/tools/perspectives have helped you along the way?

One of my biggest takeaways from 21CL was the importance of being of service to others. I took this to heart, and upon graduating high school, pursued a career in public service with the hopes of working in and with government entities to help everyday people live more fulfilling lives. One incredible opportunity/accomplishment that came from this was early on in my career. The day after I graduated college, I was appointed to serve as an aide at The White House’s Office of Management and Budget. In this role, I helped move various aspects of the President’s agenda forward, most of which were focused on helping Americans get back on their feet during the economic recovery that followed the Great Recession.

Throughout my career as a public servant at both the federal and state level of government, the core of the work I do is trying to understand the challenges people face, the hopes they hold, and the environment in which they live, to figure out how I and the institution I work for can be of service to them. All of which are leadership skills I began to learn with 21CL. 21CL set forth the momentum for me to be prepared for the incredible opportunity of working for the President of the United States on behalf of the American people.

Which programs did you participate in, and when? What skills did you gain or improve through those programs?

I participated in both a summer leadership institute and school-year program. One important skill I gained from these programs was authentic storytelling. Being able to listen and learn someone’s story and tell it truthfully through the work I do has been invaluable in my life.

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

One moment I will never forget from the program was watching a few of my peers on live television getting interviewed CNN en Español with the headline that translated to “meet the leaders of tomorrow.” It was so inspiring to watch them and know that even though we met just two days ago, they are now having an impact on the world.

Did 21CL assist you in developing a leadership style that makes you an effective leader? if so how? And have you recently learned something else about leadership? Please share!

The single most important skill I learned at 21CL was leading with curiosity- learning people’s stories and figuring out how I can be of service to them, or work with them to be of service to others. In recent years, I have learned that leading with curiosity does not necessarily feel like you are a “very important leader.” Instead, in the moment, you feel like a person who really wants to help someone else simply because you care. In fact, often times the last thing you think is that you are leader. However, when you lead with curiosity, you move someone’s life forward, which moves the world forward even in the smallest way.

Alumni Spotlight: Nicole Meadows

Our first alumni spotlight for January 2020 is none other than Nicole Meadows, a graduate of South Forsyth High School (2007) and of the University of Georgia (2010). She is a Program Manager for 21st Century Leaders where she has been involved for the last 15 years- almost half of her life! Nicole provides leadership for the Summer Leadership Institutes and school-year summits, at the same time providing support to other programs, and she is a Certified Professional Coach. She says the greatest preparation I received from 21CL is exposure to working with other people – people who end up teaching me something!

Paint a brief picture of what you are doing now.

As the Program Manager for 21st Century Leaders, I have the honor of organizing leadership learning experiences, such as our summer leadership institutes and summits throughout the school year, for Georgia’s high school students.

I graduated from South Forsyth High School (2007) and the University of Georgia (2010) with a major in Journalism (Magazine) and a minor in Comparative Literature. In 2016, I became a Certified Professional Coach (CPC) through the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC).

How did participating in 21CL transform you and lead you to where you are now?

I’ve been involved with 21st Century Leaders for 15 years. That’s almost half of my life! Not only has participating in 21CL led me to this job, but it has continued to transform me through the people involved, from students to volunteers to coworkers to program partners. Overall, my greatest transformation through 21CL has been in my mindset of pairing work with positive impact.

And how did 21CL prepare you for your next steps? Going into college and taking on leadership roles, heading into a new era of professionalism, etc. What skills/tools/perspectives have helped you along the way?

The greatest preparation I received from 21CL is exposure to working with other people – people who end up teaching me something! No team dynamic is the same, and as people themselves transform as individuals what they bring to the table (and remove from the table), it changes the experience. Knowing about communication styles, personal values and motivations, and the value of diversity prepared me for any environment. I had roles facilitating small groups, leading mission trips, coaching people into their own goals (not mine), supporting the work of other leaders, and in people-facing workplaces. In all of them, it was the 21CL value of respecting others, actively listening, and considering the other person’s experience that gave me a foundation of connecting and allowing others to discover their potential through taking action.

Nicole at the winter summit in 2006

Which programs did you participate in, and when? What skills did you gain or improve through those programs?

2005 – Summer Leadership Institute at Savannah State University

2006 – Summer leadership institute at Oglethorpe University and Leadership Unplugged: A CNN Experience (the inaugural summer program sponsored by WarnerMedia)

2005 – 2007 – school year summits

2008 – 2012 – summer staff member

2016 – present – full-time team member!

If compassion is a skill, then 21CL’s programs consistently build upon that ability in me, especially through the forced discomfort of working with strangers. Through time as a participant, then as a facilitator, now as a coordinator, compassion (and the 3 C’s as a group) is a leadership trend that I have carried with me. It’s also wonderful to hear from professionals about their work ethic, pathway to success (and valued failures), and their commitment to giving back or paying it forward.

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

Meeting 21st Century Leaders, it was such a relief to hear that there’s not just one type of leader. What a revelation! Other than that, it’s a collection of moments – a collage of workshop debriefs, reflections, witnessing personal breakthroughs, working alongside former students who are now alumni, cleaning up rivers and other service projects that show that leadership is alive in everyday experiences. For practical takeaways, I will always strive to make my handshakes “webby to webby” and realize that diversity encompasses more than outward appearances.

Did 21CL assist you in developing a leadership style that makes you an effective leader? If so how? And have you recently learned something else about leadership? Please share!

21CL has definitely helped me to develop my leadership style. It’s a given that spending time with something results in a transfer between. The time I’ve been able to spend with other leaders has imparted a treasure trove of skills, mindsets, perspectives, and ways of doing things, relationship with failure, and more. I have found that I tend to lean more towards a facilitative leadership style– creating an environment in which others can lead, with expectations that the opportunity to lead is open. From the “Leadership Challenge” I see how “modeling the way” and “encouraging the heart” have infused my way of training – showing how, working through it together, encouraging others and acknowledging their unique value. I’m always learning about leadership and am grateful for the leaders and cultures of leadership that have made a mark on me. 21CL gave me permission to be the kind of leader that I am and can become, and gives that same permission to any student who participates.

30 for 30 Alumni Awards Announcement

 

21st Century Leaders Recognizes Outstanding Alumni in “30 for 30” Award Program

Awards Recognize Long-Term Impact of Organization’s Transformative Programs

ATLANTA – December 10, 2019 21st Century Leaders (21CL) announced today the recipients of the “30 for 30 Alumni Award” in celebration of the organization’s 30th anniversary.  This diverse group of exceptional program alumni are being recognized for leading the way in business, leadership, community, educational, and philanthropic endeavors. 21CL is a non-profit organization that connects, transforms, and inspires high school students across Georgia to leverage-diversity, explore career opportunities, and become leaders in their schools, communities, and ultimately the workforce.

The honorees who all originate from Georgia and now represent organizations ranging from LinkedIn to NASA will be recognized at an awards reception on January 16, 2020 at The Gathering Spot in Atlanta. A complete digital publication is available to view  highlighting the work of each of the 30 selected honorees.

“There are 30 unique stories to tell within this group of award winners.  However, we were excited to see several themes resonate among these alumni including a focus on servant leadership and a desire to give back to their communities,” said Matt Johnson, board chairman for 21st Century Leaders and Principal with KPMG.

He continued: “This is a distinguished group of individuals who began their journey as Georgia high school students and 21CL program participants. Today they epitomize 21CL’s 30 years of unyielding commitment to the power of diversity, corporate collaboration and the importance of inspiring the next generation of business leaders.  We were particularly impressed to see examples of alumni who now work for the same companies that initially invested in them during their time as students. It is incredibly rewarding to see the full-circle impact of our programs.”

About the 30 for 30 Recipients
The 30 award winners represent a diverse group of individuals at different stages in their careers and a wide variety of organizations. To learn more about the recipients, 21CL created a digital publication including images and their personal stories can be found here.

California

  • Julia Abelsky, San Francisco, LinkedIn
  • Charles Orgbon, Oakland, Deloitte
  • Nathan Puckett, San Francisco, Tesla
  • Brandon Williams, Glendale, NBCUniversal

Georgia

  • Khari Arnold, Atlanta, NBA.com (WarnerMedia)
  • Taylor Benford, Atlanta, Accenture-GA
  • Maria Blackburn, Woodstock, Southern Company
  • Greg Clay, Atlanta, Leineur Consulting Group
  • Jacque-Corey Cormier, Atlanta, Georgia State University
  • Clayton Dawkins, Kennesaw, City of Cartersville
  • Brandi Harrison, Atlanta, Turner Studios (WarnerMedia)
  • Victoria Lamar, Atlanta, Securing Degrees Debt Free, LLC
  • Quentin Marlin, Savannah, Ellis, Painter, Ratterree & Adams LLP
  • James Nixon, Vidalia, Meadows Regional Medical Center
  • Christiana Oshotse, Atlanta, Journal for Young Investigators
  • Timothy Parham, Marietta, The MAP Foundation
  • Dr. Jyoti Sharma, Atlanta, Piedmont Healthcare
  • Teryn Shipman, Atlanta, VIPKID
  • Randell Trammell, Cartersville, State YMCA of Georgia/Georgia Center for Civic Engagement
  • Natalie Walker, Atlanta, Cox Enterprises
  • Jewel Wicker, Atlanta, Freelance Entertainment and Culture Reporter

Louisiana

  • Tia Bolden, New Orleans, NASA, The Boeing Company

New York

  • Michael Asmelash, New York, Live Nation Entertainment
  • Arjun Sahgal, New York, Eazel

New Jersey

  • Lauren Flanigan, East Hanover, Mondelez International

Pennsylvania

  • Machmud Makhmudov, Philadelphia, Joe Biden for President

Tennessee

  • Moyo Jennifer Sonola, Nashville, Operations & Strategy Consultant

Texas

  • Brent Gills, Austin, Deep Seas Investment Group, LLC

Virginia

  • Katherine Bryant, Alexandria, St. Stephens & St. Agnes School

United Kingdom

  • Sara Dada, London, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

Nominations for this award program were the responsibility of a nine-member selection committee which was compromised of the organization’s advisory council and board of directors.  The nomination committee was comprised of the following individuals: Jon Neff, COO of Hire Dynamics, Michael White, director of HR at Cox Enterprises, Steven Staes COO & general counsel at K&G Superstore, Dennis Adamovich, CEO of the College Football Hall of Fame, Kathy Solley, partner at Nelson Mullins, Ellen Lindemann, assistant director at Lekotek GA, Rosalynne Price, former senior manager of diversity at Cox Enterprises, Art Evans, senior director of talent management for the Atlanta Braves and Mike Szalkowski, CPA, family office manager at Schejola Partners.

About 21st Century Leaders
Since inception in 1989, 21st Century Leaders has served more than 14,000 diverse high school students from over 250 Georgia high schools. 21st Century Leaders is a non-profit organization that connects, transforms, and inspires high school students across Georgia to leverage diversity, explore career opportunities, and become leaders in their school, community, and ultimately the workforce. For more information about 21st Century Leaders, visit www.21stcenturyleaders.org.

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Media Contact:
Lauren Shankman
Trevelino/Keller
lshankman@trevelinokeller.com
404-214-0722 x 121

We would like to give a special thanks Trevelino Keller for their pro-bono work on this special initiative. 

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Alumni Spotlight: Asher Jones

21CL Alumnus Asher Jones is our first Alumni Spotlight for the month of November! He is a graduate of Roswell High School (2013) and Georgia State University (2017). Asher works as Program Manager for Leadership Connect at 21st Century Leaders Inc., managing several programs including, Leadership Connect – the online learning platform, 21Clubs, our Youth Ambassadors, Summer Immersion Program, and collaborates with our other Program Manager on all other 21CL programmatic efforts! Asher is a football enthusiast turned into a great leader, he says that 21CL inspired him to look into other interesting careers and transformed him into a more collaborative leader and team-player. 

How did participating in 21CL transform you and lead you to where you are?

Participating in 21CL in high school greatly improved my understanding of careers outside the ones I was initially interested in. Before 21CL, all I really cared about was football and basing everything in my life around football. After I attended a 21CL program, I was able to understand the wide range of careers that also peaked my interest.

I came back to work as part of the staff for the Summer Leadership Team in 2017 and luckily found a full-time role with 21st Century Leaders soon thereafter. I joined 21st Century Leaders because as an alumnus of the program I know first hand what a great experience it is for high school students. The relationships and contacts I cultivated as a result of 21st Century Leaders have been very impactful. I am so excited to now be able to be an integral part of contributing to the development of those relationships on the other side!

How did 21CL prepare you for your next steps? Going into college and taking on leadership roles, heading into a new era of professionalism, etc. What skills/tools/perspectives have helped you along the way?

21CL helped prepare me for college and the next steps in my life simply by exposing them to me. I had never stayed in a dorm room, networked with a professional or really spent much time on a college campus before 21CL, so to be able to combine all those things in one week, through the summer leadership institutes, was truly transformative. Along with enhancing my public speaking skills as I am a naturally outgoing person, 21CL also helped me develop my critical thinking skills as well as my team building skills by putting me in situations that forced me to evaluate and analyze situations while also relying on others for assistance – which I wasn’t necessarily great at before.

Which programs did you participate in and what stood out to you? 

I attended Leadership Unplugged in 2011 and Leadership Plugged In 2012 (both are merged to our Youth Media Institute). While I can’t really recall a true “aha” moment, I do remember all the conversations and experiences I had with peers and professionals to this day and I value them greatly.

Did 21CL assist you in developing a leadership style that makes you an effective leader? If so, how? And have you recently learned something else about leadership? Please share!

21CL did help me enhance my leadership style by instilling in me the importance of team building and reliance on others. I was (and still am) am a pretty stubborn person who likes to do things his own way and always thought other people would hinder rather than help me in the end. 21CL showed me it’s quite the opposite and how to properly value the contributions of others in order to be a more effective leader. It is something I still grow in everyday but there has been definite improvement and I have 21CL to thank. If you need proof, ask Nicole (our other Program Manager)!