Name: Kobi Warner
H.S. Grad Year: Class of 2014
High School: Chamblee Charter High School
College: Rhode Island College (2020)
Current Role: Highlight Editor, NBA; 21CL Alumni Board
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?
21st Century Leaders has been very instrumental in helping me get my first job straight out of college. After attending the program, I was able to network my way to a job with Warner Bros Discovery as an Associate Producer for NBA.com. Just as well, the soft skills I learned from 21CL have made me a more diligent leader and team player throughout my professional career.
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.)
My favorite ‘aha’ moment actually came during my first camp, 2012 Leadership Unplugged: A CNN Experience. At the end of the week, my project group and I won the pitch competition and were able to showcase how we pitched our idea to the panel of judges, to all of our loved ones and fellow peers. The impact of successfully completing the project and being recognized for it really stuck with me through the years.
Did 21CL assist you in developing a leadership style that makes you an effective leader? If so, how?
21CL assisted me in becoming a better listener. Going into the program for the first time, I felt confident as a public speaker and was eager to show that I understood topics during the panels and classroom time at the institute and 21CL helped me realize that a vocal leader is not the only style to instill confidence among my peers. I learned to become a more active listener and be a better team player, making sure all my teammates’ ideas are equally heard just as much as mine.
Why do you believe programs like 21CL are important? And what advice would you give to a current or future student?
I believe 21CL is one of the most important programs and institutions an aspiring young leader can attend/ be a part of. I’ve had the privilege of attending the program, as well as working as a Summer Leadership Team member, Institute Director for the Summer Institutes and serving on the Alumni Board. I know what it is like to be heavily involved in 21CL and watch countless students go through the program and grow from their experiences. As the world keeps on spinning, and times keep on changing, the impact of 21CL remains the same. It is a way for students to connect with those who are like-minded (or not) and what it is like to work with those from different backgrounds. My advice for any future 21st Century Leaders is to take every chance that the program gives you and to never be afraid to succeed or fail at making an impact through 21CL. You will learn not only how to become the leader your loved ones and community believe you to be, but you will also learn what it truly means to be an inclusive and impactful leader!
