21CL helped me understand the connection between effective communication and effective leadership. A leader's vision is only as effective as...
Every Student Can Be Inspired to Lead
21st Century Leaders has welcomed and inspired thousands of high school students, truly reflecting the state’s diversity, hailing from urban and rural settings, and representing a range of religious, social, economic, racial, and ethnic backgrounds.
2,000+
high school students served annually
85%
of students identify as persons of color
55+%
of students face barriers to success
60%
of students identify as female
Our Results
Our Programs Change Lives
Here are just a few impactful statements around building self-efficacy and confidence, transforming skill-sets, and gaining access to opportunities.
Leadership Development
100%
of students said they now see themselves as leaders as a result of our programs
94%
of students said they took on one or more new leadership roles after joining 21st Century Leaders
Career Readiness
95%
of students said they are clearer on knowing their career path after high school as a result of 21st Century Leaders, while 55% of students said they discovered a new career field they're now interested in pursuing
80%
of students said they grew and developed in our core leadership competencies
Inclusion
45%
of students said it was their first time seeing someone who looks like them in a career or position they want to be in
30%
of students said it was their first time interacting with peers outside of their geographic area
Reports
Our students are more than just impact numbers.
They are young people discovering who they are and who they want to be.
Our reports provide an in-depth look of how our programs are doing just that through powerful student testimonials and the partners who support us.
School-Year Reports
See our outcomes from programs and experiences provided to students and partners throughout the school year.
Annual Reports
View the impact we have all year long.
Summer Reports
Dive into each summer leadership institute report below or get a snapshot of the entire 2024 summer impact here.
Our Success Stories
Sharing the success stories of our organization and alumni is crucial in demonstrating the significant impact our programs have had, showcasing tangible results, and illustrating how special 21st Century Leaders is and continues to be.
October 3, 2024
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.
October 1, 2024
21st Century Leaders announces the 35 students selected to serve as Youth Ambassadors for the 2024-2025 school year.
September 26, 2024
21CL took a chance on me when I first came to the US. I am an example of what investing in your community looks like: a former Iraqi refugee who fled the war has made it to college, and now medical school. Working hard alone would not have helped me come this far. I was lucky, but I have since learned the subtle art of getting lucky.
Audits
We firmly believe in being accountable to you, our community, and the public at large. Independent audits are conducted by a reputable and impartial third-party firm, and the results are available here to all our stakeholders and the general public.
In the News
Over the past three decades, 21st Century Leaders has been recognized for it's work and impact.
- 2016 - BUSINESS-TO-NONPROFIT PARTNERSHIP AWARD from Corporate Volunteer Council of Atlanta)
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2019 - Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Award from Emory's Goizueta Business School & Rollins School of Public Health - 2022 - Excellence Award ( The Georgia Afterschool & Youth Development Awards, led by GSAN (Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network)
21st Century Leaders Announces
21st Century Leaders announces the 35 students selected to serve as Youth Ambassadors for the 2024-2025 school year.
Alumni Spotlight: Abdallah Al-Obaidi
21CL took a chance on me when I first came to the US. I am an example of what investing...