I believe 21CL plays a pivotal role in the holistic development of the youth. They empower students by providing them with essential leadership skills, fostering self-confidence, and nurturing a sense of responsibility; students gain valuable experience in teamwork, communication, and problem-solving, all of which are fundamental aspects of effective leadership.
Continue reading
Alani Pace, a graduate of Martha Ellen Stilwell School of the Arts (2020), is currently a junior at North Carolina A&T State University majoring in Computer Graphics Technology. During high school Alani participated in several of our programs including the Summer Youth Leadership Institute (SYLI) @ Goizueta, Turner Voices Youth Media Institute now known as Warner Bros Discovery Future Leaders Institute and the fall summit: Leadership ExCHANGE. Last summer (2022), Alani served on the 21CL Summer Leadership Team helping to mentor the participating students during their own summer leadership institute experience. “I still feel nervous about doing some things, but I do it anyway. I do it even though I am scared, and I have been rewarded greatly for pushing myself out my comfort zone and taking advantage of the opportunities that scared me.” ~Alani Pace
Paint a brief picture of what you are doing now.
I am now a junior in college majoring in computer graphics technology with a concentration in user experience (UX) design. I am a member of several organizations on campus and I enjoy volunteering with them in my free time. I am a member of the university honors program and serve as an honors ambassador. As an ambassador, I also serve as a mentor for 5 freshman honors students. Outside of school, I am working hard to strengthen my design skills and have enrolled in a bootcamp with the Georgia Institute of Technology. I’ve enjoyed attending professional conferences, such as the Thurgood Marshall Leadership Institute, and getting to network with seasoned professionals as I get closer to graduating college. I just accepted my first internship in my chosen field and I look forward to growing my professional portfolio during the summer 2023.
How did participating in 21CL transform you and lead you to where you are now?
I can confidently attribute a lot of my success in college to participating in 21CL as a teen. The skills and experiences I gained with 21CL have helped me tremendously. I went to college with a working knowledge of how to conduct myself in a professional environment, network and build professional relationships, and deliver my own personal elevator pitch during interviews and meetings with others.
Which programs did you participate in? How did the skills/tools/perspectives you acquired from 21CL prepare you for your next steps, going into college, taking on new leadership roles in your community, college and after?
I attended the Turner Voices Youth Media Institute when it was still active, and followed that with SYLI before graduating high school. Last summer I served as a Summer Staff for 21CL’s Summer Youth Leadership Institute (SYLI) and led my own group of approximately 20 students through their programs. I was able to apply that experience to my role as an honors ambassador almost immediately when school started this fall. Managing the 5 students I have now is a breeze compared to planning programs and guiding a full classroom of students. Involvement in 21CL requires you to step into leadership positions and be creative professionally. I draw upon that experience in my collaborations on group projects and with volunteer groups, and I know that I can take the skills I’ve learned to the workforce.
Do you have a memorable or ‘aha’ moment during your time at 21CL? (Particular program, meeting a professional and diverse peers, speaking in public for the first time, etc.?)
When I attended the media institute, that is the first time I spoke publicly in front of a large group of people. When I first learned that I had to speak I did my best to avoid having a speaking role. I almost made it through the entire week without being selected to speak, which my counselors realized. So on the last day I had to speak in front of not only the students but also their families at the closing ceremony. I was nervous but I overcame an obstacle that I never thought I would. I got over my anxiety and from there, something in me shifted. I still feel nervous about doing some things, but I do it anyway. I do it even though I am scared, and I have been rewarded greatly for pushing myself out my comfort zone and taking advantage of the opportunities that scared me.
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 helped me find my voice and feel comfortable sharing my knowledge with others. I always keep in mind that someone might be nervous about stepping out in front of others so I do my best to create a safe space. I was a trainer at my job at Chick-Fil-A, and I always made sure to be patient and to share best practices so that new employees could thrive. I think good leaders invite everyone to contribute and that is what I bring to the spaces I’m fortunate enough to occupy.
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.
Our second Alumni Spotlight for May 2020 is Kiah Davis, a graduate of Fayette High School (2010) and of Georgia Institute of Technology (2013). She currently works as Operations Transformation Leader at Equifax and is a new member of the 21CL Junior Board of Directors.
Paint a brief picture of what you are doing now.
As an Operations Transformation Leader at Equifax, I lead large cross-functional initiatives that reduce cost, optimize processes, increase speed to revenue and improve the customer experience.
How did participating in 21CL transform you and lead you to where you are now?
21CL taught me winning strategies in personal branding, corporate America navigation and servant leadership. I was able to have my first overnight experience at my alma mater (Georgia Tech) through my participation in the summer leadership institute, CNN Leadership Unplugged (now known as WarnerMedia Institute for Future Leaders). 21CL provided me with a platform to dream bigger and create a plan to achieve my goals.
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 taught me the importance of rolling up your sleeves and really getting engaged in whatever org/activity/job that you’re a member of. At Georgia Tech I was a Resident Adviser, Vice President of the Minority Recruitment Team, worked 20 hours a week my entire tenure and was a serial volunteer. Based on my learning from 21CL I knew that it was important to not just obtain an education but to really immerse myself within the overall Tech experience. 21CL emphasizes the importance of relationships and networking which is something that I’ve always kept front of mind since then. Building strong relationships and always being willing to “jump in” has helped me in all realms of my life (personal, professional, extracurricular). Another call out is the power of beginning with the end in mind. Earmarking time to reflect and develop strategic plans can make all the difference when it comes to performance and results. Just because one is documented doesn’t mean that pivots aren’t allowed but having something to anchor, to help to really keep first things first while managing various projects with all of life’s many moving parts.
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 really powerful being around so many talented students from all across the state at the programs that I participated in. When you’re younger (& pre-social media) you learn about all of the countries in the world and even all of the states within the US however it’s very easy to get caught in your own “little world.” The schools in your district, the friends you’ve already met and the experiences that you’ve already had. 21CL initiated my thirst for becoming a true global citizen and dreaming beyond what I could currently see & adventures yet to come. Since then I’ve traveled to 26 countries across 6 continents.
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 is an organization that focuses on servant leadership. That quality, along with effective communication, are skills that I leverage on a daily basis. I find that being transparent with stakeholders of all levels, concisely sharing the value prop and doing your part to get a job done (despite if it’s technically your “role”) goes a long way with earning people’s respect and trust. I look forward to continue sharpening this skill set through new challenges professionally and beyond.