Name: Jarrius Jackson
H.S. Grad Year: Class of 2022
High School: Marietta High School
College: Morehouse College (2026)
Current Role: Community Engagement & Aspiring Public Policy-Maker
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 played one of the most pivotal roles in my development as a leader. I participated in the program during a major transition period in my life, when I was still discovering my voice and how I wanted to show up in leadership spaces.
Going through the Summer Institute virtually during COVID gave me an unusual amount of time for self-reflection, and 21CL came at exactly the right moment. It helped me become more open, confident, and outspoken, and it reshaped how I understood leadership.
Since then, I’ve carried that foundation into college, where I’ve taken on leadership roles, engaged in community and policy work, and focused my career interests around education, leadership development, and public service. The confidence and clarity I gained through 21CL prepared me to take those next steps with purpose.
What’s your memorable or ‘aha’ moment during your time at 21CL?
My “aha” moment came over time. While I applied many of the leadership skills I learned through 21CL in high school, it wasn’t until I stepped into leadership roles in college that everything truly clicked.
In those moments of real responsibility and decision-making, I found myself thinking, this is what they were talking about. That realization helped me fully understand what 21CL meant by leadership as service, accountability, and growth, and showed me how intentionally the program prepared students for life beyond high school.
Did 21CL assist you in developing a leadership style that makes you an effective leader? If so, how?
21st Century Leaders helped me develop a leadership style rooted in confidence, communication, and self-awareness. The program pushed me to become more outspoken and intentional about how I lead and how I use my voice.
That shift helped me transition from being more reserved to leading with clarity and purpose. Those skills continue to guide how I show upon leadership roles today.
Why do you believe programs like 21CL are important? And what advice would you give to a current or future student?
Programs like 21CL are important because they meet students at critical moments in their development and give them the tools, confidence, and community to grow. They don’t just teach leadership skills, but they help students discover who they are and who they can become.
My advice to current and future students is to fully engage with the experience. Be open to growth, take time to reflect, and don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone. The impact of 21CL extends far beyond the program itself.
