Alumni Spotlight: Laura Nguyen

Our Alumni Spotlight for May 2021 is Laura Nguyen, a graduate of Morrow High School (2013), of Texas A&M University (2016) and of Georgia State University (2018). She is a Health Scientist at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) where she serves on the COVID-19 and Ebola Viral Diseases Response Task Force and currently works as an Emergency Response Capacity Specialist for Anglophone Africa. Laura believes that it’s instrumental to be culturally aware, informed and to build trust and healthy working relationships for one to succeed in life and that her participation in 21CL was a catalyst to all the opportunities she got after high school. 

Paint a brief picture of what you are doing now.

I serve as an Emergency Response Capacity Specialist for Anglophone Africa at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the COVID-19 and Ebola Viral Disease Response Task Force. I’m currently working in Liberia until the end of May 2021 to provide technical assistance to the Liberia CDC country office, the National Public Health Institute of Liberia, and the Ministry of Health. My role is to train and equip public health and clinical professionals with the knowledge and tools to deploy, respond, and control the spread of public health emergencies, specifically Ebola in Liberia, through the mobilization of rapid response teams.

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

Participating in 21CL transformed me in the following ways: (1) understanding the importance of building a strong network and (2) being culturally cognizant that the views and thought processes of those around me are shaped and influenced by their cultural identity, experiences, and trauma. By far, 21CL has been the only summer program I have participated in that selected such a diverse pool of applicants. My cohort included peers who identified as Polish, Gambian (who was also my amazing roommate), Filipina, Chinese, Haitian, Indian, etc. In my current role with the CDC, I interact regularly with staff and team members from CDC country offices in Rwanda, Uganda, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Malawi, and Nigeria. It’s instrumental to be culturally aware, informed and to build trust and healthy working relationships for one to succeed.

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 was the critical point in my youth that served as a catalyst to all the opportunities that came after. In high school following 21CL, I was able to serve as a Georgia state officer for the student organization Future Business Leaders of America and receive the Posse Foundation Scholarship to attend Texas A&M University. In college, I interned with the UN Foundation in D.C. and afterwards returned home to the city that made me for graduate school. From there, the speed quickens to getting a degree in public health and getting a job at the CDC, but then leaving to serve as a Peace Corps volunteer in Cameroon. After my service ended prematurely due to the global evacuation of all volunteers because of COVID-19, I returned to the unknown and a dire toilet paper shortage. I was once again offered the opportunity to return to the CDC but in a role with a team that most professionals can only dream of. All to say, my 21CL experience made a difference in my ability to think in a dynamic setting with diverse minds paralleling the confidence gained to take charge and act.

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

I participated in the 21CL Summer Youth Leadership Institute (SYLI@Goizueta) in 2011 as an incoming junior in high school. The most memorable skill I gained during the program was learning how to effectively, healthily, and impactfully communicate in a group setting. There was a substantial amount of team building exercises and group activities built into the program and those opportunities allowed me to express ideas and thoughts in a safe space. My group’s mentor/RA (I don’t remember well the terms we used) was Nicole Meadows; she made my 21CL experience worthwhile and I am forever grateful. Her and the other mentors are the unsung heroes that deserve all the spotlight.

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.?

My ‘aha’ moment was towards the very end of the program during the last night before going home. Everyone gathered together for one last hangout, one last joke and laugh and that was the most memorable moment for me. We all started off as strangers but became friends at the end and that in itself—the ability of 21CL to gather the brightest minds in the state and for each person to forge friendships and bonds—is what makes this program so unique.

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 was the first to introduce me to the idea that a leader should surround herself/himself/themself with individuals who do not share the same collective thought. A diverse set of minds and capabilities on a team stimulates more productivity, innovation, and discussion. The key to a promising future is the ability to cultivate strong leaders and celebrate their diverse backgrounds because they will be the ones to find solutions to complex social problems. Sheryl Sandberg, Chief Operating Officer of Facebook, says it best: “More diverse teams perform better and are more creative while less diverse teams think they’re better and don’t recognize their creative gaps.”

Alumni Spotlight: Skylar Nicholson

Our Alumni Spotlight for April 2021 is Skylar Nicholson, a graduate of Central Education Center in Newnan, Coweta County (2017), and of the University of Georgia (2020). She is a multimedia journalist completing her master’s degree at the University of Georgia where she doubles in as a teaching assistant in Communication Law. During high school, Skylar participated in many of 21CL’s programs and was a 2017 Georgia Youth Leadership Award (GYLA) recipient. This summer she will be a Fellow with The Wall Street Journal in New York City! 

“I still cannot believe that 21st Century Leaders facilitated the opportunity for me to intern with CNN on the Morning Express with Robin Meade just after graduating high school! Once I was in college, I realized just how hard it is to get internships with organizations like CNN. It is highly competitive. Not only is it hard to get an internship at such a coveted organization, but it is unheard of to have one at such a young age… I got to shadow with the anchors, learn how to edit, pitch story ideas, and even help plan future shoots. It was not just a passive internship. It was an actively engaging experience where I got critical feedback on my skillset to help me grow as a storyteller and journalist.” -Skylar Nicholson

Paint a brief picture of what you are doing now.

I am a multimedia journalist, completing my master’s degree at the University of Georgia. I am a graduate teaching assistant working with undergraduate students who are taking communication law courses. This summer, I will be a fellow with the Wall Street Journal in New York City.

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

21st Century Leaders taught me to learn how to be comfortable in the uncomfortable. In my graduate studies, what I am learning is completely outside of my comfort zone and forcing me to dive headfirst into uncharted territory and new research. It is also putting me in a position of leadership among other undergraduate students to help guide them to success in their own individual studies.

Participating in 21st Century Leader also gave me confidence in questioning social norms and established ways of operation. There are new ways to approach industry problems, and how things have always been done may not be the best route to approach problems now. It gave me the ability to look at an issue or goal from a 360° perspective and then choose the best course of actions with not only end results in mind, but how the goal is achieved with success in terms of teamwork relations, new technology, and how this individual project plays into the grander scheme of operations. Immediate success is not always the best thing; continued perpetual growth is the most important.

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?

I feel very fortunate to have been involved with 21st Century Leaders since my sophomore year of high school. 21st Century Leaders gave me the professional skills to have a jumpstart in my career field. It gave me mentors that I am still connected with to this day. It also gave me friendships that I value and would not have established without the summer camps. I met one of my best friends, Willie Daniely (we were interns on the Morning Express together), through this program and we still support each other every step of the way as we pursue our individual careers in the same industry.

In addition, I still cannot believe that 21st Century Leaders facilitated the opportunity for me to intern with CNN on the Morning Express with Robin Meade, just after graduating high school. Once I was in college, I realized just how hard it is to get internships with organizations like CNN. It is highly competitive. Not only is it hard to get an internship at such a coveted organization, but it is unheard of to have one at such a young age. Not only were they able to establish this incredible opportunity, but they made it very individual to my particular interests. I was able to work on a morning show and report to work every morning at 4 am. I got to shadow with the anchors, learn how to edit, pitch story ideas, and even help plan future shoots. It was not just a passive internship. It was an actively engaging experience where I got critical feedback on my skillset to help me grow as a storyteller and journalist.

Completing this internship gave me some credibility on my resume and helped me secure future internships. In all of my future internships and fellowships, I was the first person in that role. 21st Century Leaders taught me to pave the way for new opportunities and to ask, “What might else be out there?” I completed an internship with Newsy (Scripps) in Washington, D.C., covering Capitol Hill’s politics. During my time, I got to report daily packages, cover congressional hearings, and even got to ask a question to the president in a White House press conference. It gave me confidence in my skill set and to take charge of new opportunities.

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

Public speaking skills, interview skills, and proper business etiquette were some of my favorite skillsets to learn more about.

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.?)

Getting to shadow Robin Meade and working with the production team was an eye-opening experience. It was my first opportunity to really get to see how a newsroom operates and look into what a future career in this industry might be like one day. The team that I worked with was candid with me and provided honest insight into how to start a career with a trajectory for success. I saw female leadership at HLN. This was something that was really inspiring and exciting for me to watch. There was a diverse team, where women and different ethnicities all have an equal voice in the conversation. Everyone had access to share their opinions and feedback was openly accepted. I did a project where I interviewed different anchors, producers, and show staff on how they got to where they were in their careers. Hearing their individual stories was inspiring. Watch her video about interning after high school at HLN.

 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?

21st Century Leaders taught me the importance of listening. Truly being present, hearing the people around you, and then choosing how to react. There are many different types of leadership, and it is essential to find what your individual strengths are that make you unique. With my new role as a graduate teaching assistant, I have learned the power of having empathy. Especially in the times of COVID-19, where everyone is dealing with new working conditions and unique external stress, it is vital to approach every situation with compassion and understanding. People are human first, outside of the specific tasks that they complete for a job.

I have gone on to complete additional leadership courses and trainings at the University of Georgia. I was a Levin Leader in 2019 for the Cox Institute. Leadership is something that I want to actively pursue and gain new skills in. No one is born a leader, everyone has an equal chance to become one and step into that position of power, and it is up to us to individually pour the time into enhancing our skillsets, so we are ready when the time arrives.

In the wake of the tornado damage (March 2021) that hit her home city of Newnan, Skylar produced a series of stories highlighting the strength of residents and community recovery. 

View some of Skylar’s other productions and multimedia projects online:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxfLitrEdCU&t=1s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2ecBbjTaEQ&t=33s

Alumni Spotlight: Justin Toliver

21CL Alumnus Justin Toliver works as Account Executive for NBCUniversal Media, Inc. and is a graduate of Woodstock High School (2011) and of Rhodes College (2015).  During his high school years he served as a member of 21CL’s Youth Advisory Board, currently known as the Youth Ambassadors. In this post Justin shares how 21CL assisted him in developing a personal brand and taught him to be accountable for any project or activity that he is associated with.

Paint a brief picture of what you are doing now.

Currently I work in the media industry as Account Executive for NBCUniversal Media, Inc. and my day-to-day work revolves around providing my clients with collaborative ideas, fresh perspectives and out-of-the-box strategies to access untapped demographics within their prospective markets. Forging sound personal relationships for our sales division is paramount in supporting our business model, team goals and creating a new generation of NBCUniversal fan ambassadors.

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

My mother ensured that my flame for success was ignited at an early age and 21st Century Leaders was quintessential in helping realize my potential to be a professional in my current field. I was introduced to the 21CL program in the summer of 2010 as a high school junior and it was a very impactful experience. I was afforded the opportunity to stay on the Georgia Tech campus for one full week and undoubtedly the experience was paramount in solidifying my desire to attend a four-year college and contribute more to society. In addition to this, my interest in the broadcast and media industry was unveiled during that week. I was so engaged and positively impacted that Mr. Robert Watson, 21CL’s Executive Director at the time, approached me about serving on 21st Century Youth Advisory Board; two months later I applied and was nominated.

Participation on this Board put me at another level – my business acumen and decorum was expanded, my personal brand shaped and I garnered some lifelong friendships with peers who, similar to me, were in search of professional direction. From then on I became an asset to my high school and took on many other leadership roles including Jr. Achievement Student Ambassador, Georgia Department of Education – Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council Member, Woodstock Wolverines Varsity Football Captain, People to People International Delegate, Woodstock Mayoral Youth Council member and an H. Hugh Shelton Leadership Academy Peer Counselor. My time with 21CL undoubtedly positioned me to continue my journey with a level of confidence that can only be earned and not given.

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 participation in the 2010 summer leadership institute and serving on the 21CL Youth Advisory Board was the perfect launchpad to my collegiate career, which indeed gave me an advantage in my community involvement and positioned me for continued success. During my college years, I served in various roles:

  • Senator, Rhodes Student Government
  • Admissions Recruitment Panelist
  • NCAA – National SAAC Representative Committee Appointment: Sportsmanship & Ethical Conduct
  • Athlete, National Football Federation College Hall of Fame Scholar

When I joined NBCUniversal in 2014, my schedule was so full with learning the business that I fulfilled all of my volunteer experience in-house. I was involved in some of NBC’s Corporate Responsibility initiatives like Comcast Cares Day, the Mazda Drive for Good initiative, and Clear the Shelters. The most impactful community leadership role I’ve held at the company is being a facilitator for the Special Olympics. During this event, unconditional love took on a new meaning for me from individuals who were just elated to be recognized, celebrated and supported in their competitions. That’s it! No judgement, favoritism, discrimination existed. Everyone from the athletes, partners, parents, sponsors, NBC employees, etc., was a winner!

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

I participated in Leadership Unplugged: A CNN Experience (now the WarnerMedia Institute for Future Leaders) in 2010. It was a very impactful experience for me as a high school junior. The skill most utilized for me coming out of Leadership Unplugged was the realization that leadership comes down to relationships. Understanding how to be a reliable teammate and listen to the ideas of your peers should always supersede the need to be the “voice of the group.” In my opinion, leadership is 10% what you say and 90% what you do. 21CL taught me this at an early age and it is something that has served me well both within my company as well as externally with our clients.

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 vividly remember the interactive team building exercises, fundamentals of storytelling, meeting influential leaders of Time Warner and our daily “Sharpening the Saw” round tables. At that moment, I was convinced that I wanted to be on a college campus that would sharpen my talents, skills and abilities, so I too one day could also be a role model for younger people as those volunteers were to me at that critical decision-making time in my life.

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 assisted me in developing a personal brand that I am proud to stand by. The program taught me to be 100% accountable for any project or activity that my name is associated with. This is particularly important when you may not have been the individual to commit the mistake. At the end of the day, no client or person in general wants to hear about why the objective is not getting accomplished. Instead, 21CL taught me to endeavor through the clutter, to think outside of the box, and provide an end result that both under promised and overdelivered.

Alumni Spotlight: Morgan Lynn Phelps

This month our Alumni Spotlight is Morgan Phelps, a graduate of Ola High School (2014) and of Georgia College & State University (2018); she currently works as Marketing and Sales Specialist for Acuity Brands, Inc. In this post, Morgan shares how 21st Century Leaders programs such as Warner Media Institute for Future Leaders played a major role in shaping her career journey! She served as a mentor and alumni roundtable speaker for 21CL’s virtual 2020 Summer Leadership Institutes.

Paint a brief picture of what you are doing now.

Currently residing in the Bay Area as Acuity Brands’ Marketing & Sales Specialist for Acuity’s technology group, I am responsible for driving revenue, executing [outbound and inbound] marketing and sales campaigns, and leading trade shows and networking events. One of our technology brands is BuildingOS. BuildingOS is a SaaS-based platform, modern energy management system measuring, visualizing and reporting energy consumption within buildings. Buildings emit over 30% of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Our goal is to reduce energy consumption and emissions within buildings where our clients did not know it was possible by visualizing this data in real-time. In my career thus far, I have organized over 20 trade shows & events, hold a position on the BOMA (Building Owners & Managers Association of San Francisco) Events Committee Board, was a speaker at AASHE (Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education) in 2019, am a podcast host and received certification in Sustainable Business Strategy from Harvard Business School. Most recently I have launched a networking group called Women in Sustainability, creating an environment for like-minded women in the Bay Area to come together to share successes, ideas, initiatives and grow a community. My passion is in sustainability and making the world a better place and my role now allows me to share that passion.

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

Participating in 21st Century Leaders helped me gain the confidence and professionalism I needed to pursue the career I have now. From conversational skills to industry knowledge, 21CL helped shape the employee, leader and young professional that I am today. After my summer at 21CL in the Leadership Unplugged Program (WarnerMedia Institute for Future Leaders), I became my high school’s lead news anchor and senior class president- something I would not have had the confidence to do if I was not a part of 21CL. After high school, I stayed in contact with many of my fellow 21CL peers while we all attended different universities. Being emerged with other students that share the same interests and desire a similar career path as you help you build a network that you will have forever. After I received by BA in Rhetoric and minor in Geography from Georgia College & State University, I moved to San Francisco to begin my career and took my 21CL skillset with me.

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?

Being a part of 21st Century Leaders helped me in my next steps as a young professional in multiple ways. One being the significance of networking. The idea of networking and its importance was not taught to me until I became a part of 21CL. While in workshops as a young leader, the 21CL team showed us how to professionally and correctly network and shared the effectiveness of connecting with people in the long term. Networking helped me get the job I have now and has allowed me to grow my personal brand as well. Another valuable tool 21CL taught me as a young professional was how to speak publicly and professionally. As a junior high school student, I was not exposed to public speaking thus far in my education. As I practiced my public speaking in 21CL, I learned not only how to public speak professionally but three years later chose Rhetoric (the art of persuasion and public speaking) as my major in college. In my career now, I use public speaking every single day whether it be in meetings, speaking to customers and prospects or presenting to groups of students.

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

I was a part of the Leadership Unplugged: A CNN Experience in 2013, which is now known as the WarnerMedia Institute for Future Leaders. As I learned more about the media industry, visited CNN, spoke with media professionals, and practiced working in the media field, I knew I wanted to do something similar for my career. During that program, I learned that the information given to the public and how it is broadcasted is so important. Media has a huge influence on the world and as leaders, we need to relay messages truthfully, professionally and helpfully. Now working in technology, I use this mentality when reaching out to prospects and speaking with customers. Being able to communicate effectively and professionally is a skill everyone should have in the workforce and 21CL helped me learn this as a young professional.

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 of my favorite moments as a 21CL student was having dinner at the Omni Hotel at the CNN Center in Atlanta while we heard a panel speak and the students ask questions. This panel was the big event of the week and the speakers had big titles like President, VP, CEO, etc. They were very nice, spoke wonderfully and gave great insights into being a successful leader. A lot of the questions they were being asked were around their day-to-day roles and although I was nervous, I decided to ask a very different question. I asked “If you were to tell your high school self you would be in this job today, would you have believed yourself?” Every single one of them answered no. At that moment, as a high school student who had no idea what she wanted to be or even what path she should take for her career, I was happy and relieved to learn that those successful professionals did not know either when they were my age. My aha moment was when I realized that it is ok not to know what your career will be right now, but that if you work hard enough along the way, network and are open to new opportunities, your passion and career will find you.

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!

Absolutely, 21CL helped me in developing a leadership style that makes me an effective leader today. My primary leadership style is inclusion. That is because when I was a 21CL young professional, our mentors asked every single student in the room their opinion and gave every student an opportunity to speak. As a leader, it is crucial to include everyone. This is because every single person has different experiences, histories and passions. So making your team as diverse and inclusive as possible gives you a benefit because you can learn something you did not know before and it can help your team succeed. As a 21st Century Leader I have learned the importance of including diverse people in your group, giving everyone a chance to speak, and always making other people feel welcomed. Being a leader is not success, money or fame. Being a leader is helping people around you succeed and being a positive influence to others. 21CL has helped me be a positive, influential and inclusive leader.

Alumni Spotlight: Brianna Sims

Our first alumni spotlight for October 2020 is Brianna Nicole Sims, a graduate of Dutchtown High School (2014) and of Howard University (2018); she currently works as National Sales Coordinator at Urban One Atlanta. Brianna says that 21CL gave her a foundation of what leadership really is and taught her what it means to be successful!

Paint a brief picture of what you are doing now.

After graduating from high school I attended Howard University and graduated in 2018 with a communications/public relations degree. After graduation I moved back to Atlanta and I currently work at Urban One Atlanta as a national sales coordinator. Through this role I’ve worked in ad sales and helped coordinate several events for the Atlanta urban community that have garnered thousands of attendees.

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

21st Century Leaders introduced me to the field that I am now in and connected me with industry leaders as well as peers and colleagues that I still keep up with years later.

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 both college and life after by teaching me how to network, cultivate professional relationships, and go after what I want. I learned the foundation of what leadership really is and learned a new outlook on what it means to be successful.

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

I participated in G5, now known as the Summer Youth Leadership Institute (SYLI), at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School back in 2011 as a freshman in high school. This program was my first experience with networking with industry professionals who offered advice that has remained with me for the past 9 years. I also attended Leadership Unplugged: A CNN Experience (now the WarnerMedia Institute for Future Leaders) in 2012 which helped me land a project management internship with Turner Broadcasting while in college and introduced me to peers that I still keep in contact with today.

 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 memorable moment for me was being able to network with professionals at CNN and hearing the ins, out, positives, and negatives of the field that they chose. That was the moment I realized I wanted to work in the communications/marketing field.

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 taught me that there is no one definition of what leadership is. I’ve learned that there are many ways to lead successfully and it starts by believing in your own abilities and understanding that your perspective, your background, and what makes you different brings something new and special to every table that you sit at.

Alumni Spotlight: JoDeanah Noble

The second Alumni Spotlight for September 2020 is JoDeanah Noble, a graduate of Henry W. Grady High School (2009), of the University of West Georgia and of Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) (2014). JoDeanah is a seamstress for television and film and she owns an apparel company that specializes in women’s and children’s clothing and men’s accessories. She volunteered at SCAD Day this year to speak about her creative career journey.  

Paint a brief picture of what you are doing now.

Currently, in the midst of the pandemic, I’ve spent a lot of my time working on my business, Jo David Design Studio, which luckily is an apparel company so I have been able to stay busy. I specialize in women’s and children’s clothing, men’s accessories, and as of this year masks! I am also a seamstress/tailor for television and film working on shows and movies for HBO, CBS, FOX, BET and more. My day-to-day differs greatly between creating masks, client work, scheduling meetings and photo shoots, marketing, and creating new sketches and designs for the next season.

With our new normal, I have to make more effort to get away from the screen and/or sewing machine and get out of the house. Atlanta looks so different on foot! But I do enjoy seeing the city a different way and taking advantage of the Beltline Trails near me and exploring hidden nooks and gems along the way.

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?

Prior to 21CL, public speaking had been an area I excelled in. Joining 21CL allowed me to be around my peers and gain more confidence speaking to groups large and small and learn to listen and connect with those I spoke to on all levels. Being in an environment with other driven and enthusiastic students made speaking and making my voice heard more comfortable and much more relaxing in many situations. I held many student government positions in high school including Class President and Executive Council member and was a Yearbook Copy Editor. In college at the University of West Georgia, as a student government senator, I became Public Relations Chair and voted “Senator of the Year.” Later, at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD Atlanta) I was also a student ambassador.

In addition to making way for leadership roles, programs like 21CL fostered many friendships that I have to this day and helped me in learning discipline to excel in operating my own business.

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

I participated in the 21CLub at Grady High School, attended a Summer Leadership Institute at Georgia Southern University and had an internship with Turner Studios. Through my internship at Turner, my group worked with Turner Classic Movies. I love older movies, and Gone With the Wind is one of my favorites! It was my first internship which made me a bit nervous, but having other 21CL members by my side, the process was much smoother as we all helped each other brainstorm ideas and finish assignments together. In addition, I gained more confidence in presenting those ideas and creating a final product all through teamwork and collaboration. In high school and early college years, I thought I wanted to be a journalist; funny that I now have my own Scarlet O’Hara moments everyday as a fashion designer!

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 would say that a memorable moment for me is even 10+ years later by continuing to be in touch with fellow 21CL alumni both from and outside my high school network. As a business owner, it warms my heart to have their support and be included for their special moments having made wedding dresses, suits and baby and children’s clothing for some of them.

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 believe to be an effective leader, one must learn to observe and listen. I’ve been able to apply that in all aspects of my professional life. On film sets, I need to make decisions based on the fit and on how actors move in costumes; I listen to feedback from clients on styles and colors they would like to see more of or what sells best, and I have to be able to acknowledge the work my team does to help keep us all afloat. I appreciated participating in 21CL alumni  round table discussions where everyone had their own spotlight of input to share and engage with students.

Alumni Spotlight: Akash Shah

The first Alumni Spotlight for September 2020 is Akash Shah, a graduate of Chamblee Charter High School (2013) and of University of Georgia (2017). He is currently a first-year law student at University of Georgia School of Law. Akash volunteered as an Alumni Roundtable Speaker during the recently concluded 2020 Virtual Summer Youth Leadership Institute (SYLI), as well as at SYLI in 2019.

Paint a brief picture of what you’re doing now.

I’m currently a first-year law student at the University of Georgia School of Law on scholarship. I spent the previous two years, post-graduation, serving as the Vice President of sales at Vestigo – a small Atlanta-based company that utilizes action adventure sports and virtual reality to help companies become more innovative.

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

Participating in 21CL was the catalyst that helped me find my voice and lead through the many extracurriculars I participated in during my time in undergrad. Without 21CL, I never would’ve had the confidence, skill, or discernment that’s required of a leader. These skills helped me succeed in my undergraduate studies, extracurricular activities, and ultimately led to my employment and subsequently my acceptance to some of the top law schools in the country.

 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?

As a first-generation (American) college student, without 21CL, I never would’ve understood the level of professionalism required in certain settings. Through my participation in dinners, presentations, and roundtables as part of the camp, I was able to fine tune my “professional voice.” This allowed me the confidence to speak to administrators, admissions counselors, and business leaders about pressing issues.

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

From 2009-2013 I participated in EarthCare, Leadership Plugged-In, and Leadership Unplugged (the latter two known now as the WarnerMedia Institute for Future Leaders). Each of these experiences helped me gain something different. Mainly, though, I would say each of these camps helped build my confidence and aptitude as a leader. Before 21CL, I didn’t understand the importance of leading from behind, but after participating in each of these camps I learned how, often times, the best leaders are those that do so from behind.

 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 experience of my participation in 21CL, was my participation in our capstone project presentation as part of Leadership Unplugged. We were able to present an issue of importance (as a group) to a panel of CNN executives who gave us feedback on the issue and our presentation style and skills. This was when I first felt I found my voice. It was the constructive feedback and the repeated positive feedback that gave me the confidence to then use my voice in other instances and led me to lead numerous organizations through my time in Undergrad and helped me feel confident in situations where I was the youngest in the room.

 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!

Akash Shah volunteering with other 21CL alumni at the Alumni Roundtables at SYLI 2020

21CL taught me what it meant to be a leader and how to lead – effectively building the foundation for my current leadership style. Through experiences like capstone presentations and sharpening the saw – I learned to be reserved and refined in the way I lead and have (hopefully) impacted those around me in a positive way. Over the past few years, I’ve learned the importance of self-care in leadership. It’s tough to lead others when you’re not able to lead yourself.

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!