21 high school students will be recognized with 21st Century Leaders’ Georgia Youth Leadership Award and the Be the Inspiration Gala on March 23, 2024.
Continue reading21st Century Leaders Receives ‘2023 Excellence Award’
The Georgia Afterschool & Youth Development Awards, led by GSAN (Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network), honor outstanding professionals, programs, and youth and recognize honorees for their efforts and excellence in the afterschool and youth development field.
21st Century Leaders was honored to received the 2023 Excellence Award on October 27, 2023. The Excellence Award is for an outstanding afterschool or youth development program that meets the highest standards of quality in the field and demonstrates capacity to meet the needs of children, youth and families in their community.
“For 35 years, 21st Century Leaders has been inspiring thousands of high school students across the state of Georgia and this recognition is a testament to the service that hundreds of community members, partners, supporters, and staff have dedicated to our students,” said executive director, Kate Hewitt. “We’re grateful for GSAN’s support in uplifting all non-profits across Georgia.”
The 2023 Georgia ASYD Award finalists were selected by an independent panel of judges. All award recipients were announced during the 2023 Georgia ASYD Awards and Professional Learning Summit at Middle Georgia State University. Learn more about GSAN and their AYSD Awards.
Alumni Spotlight: Keyla Cabret-Lewis
Be the Inspiration Gala
Fulton County + 21CL Present Youth Leadership Program
NEWS RELEASE
Fulton County’s CONNECTED: Youth Leadership Program (CYLP) in Partnership with 21st Century Leaders
Providing high school students with an experiential leadership and rewards program
August 1, 2023 (ATLANTA) – The Fulton County Department of Community Development is partnering with 21st Century Leaders, Georgia’s premier youth leadership and non-profit organization, to connect, transform and inspire high school students from diverse backgrounds in Fulton County to become the next generation of leaders. Registration for participation in the program is from August 21 to September 18. Applicants must submit completed applications by Monday, September 18, 2023, at 11:59 p.m.
Fulton County’s CONNECTED: Youth Leadership Program (CYLP) is an experiential program designed to provide students with a full year of robust experiences, enabling them to develop critical leadership knowledge, explore future career interests, and make informed decisions about the necessary educational and training pathways to achieve desired future career goals. Participants will also have access to live and online leadership training, special incentives, and connection with diverse peers and professionals throughout Fulton County.
Through this collaboration, YCS and 21st Century Leaders will follow an EPIC approach model: Engaging (fun and unique learning), Participatory (active and ongoing), Interactive (employer and training driven), and Connected (interest-driven/social developmental) utilizing 21st Century Leaders’ (21CL) proprietary online learning platform, Leadership Connect®, which is housed on Rali, an Atlanta based learning management system and one of 21CL’s partnering companies.
For consideration, students must meet the following criteria:
● Must be enrolled in high school
● Must be a Fulton County Resident
● Access to a computer/tablet and Wi-Fi will be required to fully participate in this virtual leadership program
Leadership, recognition, and inclusivity describe just a few of the many qualities exemplified by CYLP. As such, there will be several opportunities throughout the year to provide incentives that encourage and reward participant engagement, including:
● $25 Sign-on
● $25 New Year Bonus
● $100 Weekly Gift Card Drawing
● $25 End-of-Year Bonus
● Technology Prizes (Ear pods, Laptops, tablets)
● Special Experiences
● Live Workshops + Leadership Summits
● Opportunity for paid summer internship (seniors only)
Completed applications may be submitted through the Fulton County website application link at www.fultoncountyga.gov/CYLP.
For more information, please contact Dionne Ferrell, Youth Coordinator, at dionne.ferrell@fultoncountyga.gov.
About 21st Century Leaders
21st Century Leaders® is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that connects, transforms, and inspires high school students from diverse backgrounds across Georgia to leverage diversity, explore career opportunities, and become leaders in their school, community, and ultimately the workforce. Since its inception in 1989, 21st Century Leaders has served more than 16,000 diverse high school students from over 250 Georgia high schools through year-round leadership development, diversity and inclusion training, and career exploration programs. For more information about 21st Century Leaders, visit www.21stcenturyleaders.org.
For more Fulton County news, sign up for the weekly e-newsletter #OneFulton at https://goo.gl/Nb1L84. You can also visit Fulton County’s website at www.fultoncountyga.gov or connect with the Fulton County government on Twitter at @FultonInfo or Facebook at @fultoninfo.
###
Department of External Affairs
MEDIA CONTACT: Marc Baucom
404-374-9925 (cell)
mark.baucom@fultoncountyga.gov
141 Pryor St. SW, Suite 3090
Atlanta, GA 30303
www.fultoncountyga.gov
https://www.facebook.com/FultonInfo
21st Century Leaders Announces Winners of 2023 Georgia Youth Leadership Awards
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Top 21 High School Students of 21st Century Leaders Selected for Outstanding Leadership
(February 13, 2023) Atlanta, GA – 21st Century Leaders, a Georgia-based non-profit youth leadership and talent development program for high school students from diverse backgrounds across the state, announces the top 21 youth leaders selected for its annual signature event, Georgia Youth Leadership Awards, presented by Warner Bros. Discovery, to be held on Saturday, March 25, 20232 at the Buckhead Theatre in Atlanta, Ga.
21st Century Leaders (21CL), in partnership with the event’s corporate sponsors and partners, brings together business and civic leaders to raise support for 21st Century Leaders’ year-round leadership programs while also recognizing 21 of their outstanding high school students throughout Georgia who have made a significant impact on their schools, communities and beyond.
21CL serves over 1,600 students annually and this year’s 21 awardees – all in high school and all members of 21st Century Leaders – include non-profit founders, entrepreneurs, content creators, advocates, and volunteers who truly represent the diversity of Georgia with students from DeKalb to Emanuel to Columbia counties. The nominated students exhibit 21CL’s leadership qualities of being service-oriented, forward thinking, resourceful, passionate and of leveraging diversity. The 21 awardees were carefully chosen by a 16-member selection committee of Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 40 Under 40 members, 21CL Board of Directors, 21CL corporate volunteers and community leaders, and 21CL alumni and student peers. The full selection committee is listed below and on 21CL’s website.
21st Century Leaders is proud to announce the following 21 outstanding youth leaders for the 2023 Georgia Youth Leadership Awards:
- Pranita Akella, Lakeside High School (Evans, GA)
- Raveena Alli, Atlanta Girls’ School
- Sterling Cho, The Walker School
- Yireh Fonesca-Gopar, Forest Park High School
- Julius Hunnter Goins, Druid Hills High School
- Shreyas Gupta, Wheeler High School
- Benjamin Harper, Charles R. Drew Charter School
- Lilian Huynh, Jonesboro High School
- Akhil Kalva, Chattahoochee High School
- Payton Key, Cambridge High School
- Annie Lin, North Atlanta High School
- Tanvi Mehta, Lambert High School
- Ify Obianwu, Pebblebrook High School
- Eva Rahman, Wesleyan School
- Reece Robinson, Westlake High School
- Salter Sliger, Midtown High School
- Zoie Stevenson, North Atlanta High School
- Troy Steward, East Coweta High School
- Gabrielle Walthour, DeKalb Early College Academy
- Quintus Williams, Swainsboro High School
- Samuel Woldegiorgis, Decatur High School
Through corporate sponsors’ support, each youth leader will be presented with a $500 grant, with one student awarded the Warner Bros. Discovery Student Leadership Award – the event’s top award which includes a $1,000 grant from the presenting sponsor, Warner Bros. Discovery. Students are also paired with coaches who mentor the students throughout the event season. Our Georgia Youth Leadership Award Coaches are recognized and accomplished community leaders and/or members of Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 40 Under 40 alumni, maintaining a partnership established with the group in 2008 when 21st Century Leaders first launched this event. The student winners and coaches met at a private Meet + Greet luncheon on Saturday, February 11, 2023 at Emory’s Goizueta Business School, a sponsor and supporter.
This year’s event is being led by Co-Chairs and 21CL Board of Directors members Okema Jackson, previously of Warner Bros. Discovery, and Mari Sifo of Host Hotels and Resorts. For more information about the Georgia Youth Leadership Awards or to purchase a ticket to the event, please visit www.21stcenturyleaders.org. All proceeds from the event will support 21CL’s ongoing efforts to provide youth leadership and talent development programs for high school students across Georgia at little to no cost to students.
Georgia Youth Leadership Awards Coaches:
The Georgia Youth Leadership Award coaches for the 2023 student winners are Maranie Brown, BlackRock; Greg Clay, Partnership for Southern Equity, 21CL Alumnus*; Whitney Deal Marshall, Whitney Marshall Coaching*; Chandra Farley, City of Atlanta, Mayor’s Office of Sustainability and Resilience; David Felfoldi, SHERPA Global*; Marty Fleischmann, All Electric Racing Organization (AERO), 21CL Board of Directors*; Matt Johnson, KPMG, 21CL Advisory Council*; Dr. Jyoti Sharma, Piedmont, 21CL Alumna; Dr. Alicia Shelly, Wellstar; Mari Sifo, Host Hotels and Resorts, 21CL Board of Directors; Tamika Stokes Goins, CareHalo*; Antrell Tyson, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services*; Ryan Woods, Beck Architecture*; DeAndre Wynn, T.A.N. Tech Solutions; Anqi Zou, Truist
*Coaches who also served on the Selection Committee
Georgia Youth Leadership Awards Selection Committee
All nominations were reviewed by our 16-member GYLA Selection Committee, comprised of Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 40 under 40 members, 21CL Board of Directors, 21CL corporate volunteers, and 21CL alumni and student peers. Committee members included the coaches indicated above, along with LaSandra Boykin, Wellstar; Jeanette McWilliams, IdeasUnited; Trenton Spindler, GreenPrint, A PDI Company; Chi Nguyen, retired, 21CL Board of Directors; Chris Reynolds, RiskBridge Advisors, 21CL Board of Directors; Ila Prabhuram and J’Avani Stinson, 21CL members and 2022 GYLA Student Recipients.
About 21st Century Leaders
Since 1989, 21st Century Leaders has served more than 16,000 diverse high school students from over 250 Georgia high schools. 21st Century Leaders’ mission is to connect, transform, and inspire high school students from diverse backgrounds across the state of Georgia to leverage diversity, explore career opportunities, and become leaders in their school, community, and ultimately the workforce.
21st Century Leaders is currently accepting student applications (until March 1st and March 15th) into their leadership and development program and for their summer leadership institutes for the 2023 summer. The summer leadership institutes are residential one-week programs hosted on a college campus with our corporate partners and business professionals. 21CL accepts rising sophomores, juniors and seniors. For more information about 21st Century Leaders, visit www.21stcenturyleaders.org/student-programs.
# # #
For media inquiries, please contact:
Nicole Meadows
Director of Programs & Communications, 21st Century Leaders
nicole@21stcenturyleaders.org | 404.373.7441
21CL Appoints New Chair of its Board of Directors
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
21st Century Leaders Appoints New Chair of its Board of Directors
(October 3, 2022) Atlanta, GA – 21st Century Leaders’ announces the appointment of DeRetta Cole Rhodes, Ph.D. as chair of its board of directors. Dr. Rhodes succeeds Matt Johnson, who has been serving as chair of the board since October 2019. The appointment was effective October 1, 2022 as the start of the organization’s fiscal year. Johnson’s commitment to 21st Century Leaders is longstanding, having been a board member since 2014 and a volunteer prior to that for nearly a decade. He will remain engaged in a leadership role with 21st Century Leaders (21CL) as a member of its Advisory Council.
Johnson said, “It has been an honor to serve as board chair and work with our incredible board and staff to equip young people with leadership skills and experiences that enable their success. I’m absolutely confident and delighted that the important work of 21st Century Leaders will continue with momentum and outsized impact with DeRetta’s leadership. Her long standing enthusiasm and commitment to develop the next generation of leaders is inspiring, and perfectly complements the mission of 21CL.”
Dr. Rhodes currently serves as the Executive Vice President, Chief People Capital Officer for the Atlanta Braves. Dr. Rhodes, who oversees people capital initiatives for the organization’s Major League, Minor League and The Battery Atlanta operations, has left a lasting impact in her short time with the Braves. She has transformed the people capital department, expanded the culture of the organization with training programs and employee resource groups and created an internal diversity, equity and inclusion council. She was also recognized as 100 Women of Influence by the Atlanta Business League. Dr. Rhodes lives in Atlanta, Ga. with her husband, Leon, and her three sons, Cole, Austin and Jordan.
“I have always been in awe of 21CL; the vision, the work and the impression we make on young leaders,” said Dr. Rhodes. “To have the opportunity to work alongside Kate Hewitt the 21CL’s Executive Director, the Board, staff and students is an honor. I am committed to bringing my passion, energy and commitment alongside all that I have the opportunity to engage as the new Board Chair.”
“As we look to the future and growth of our organization, we are excited to have DeRetta’s recognized leadership and passion for this work as we continue to accelerate our mission of impacting youth leaders across Georgia and beyond,” said 21CL’s Executive Director Kate Hewitt. “As our former board chair, Matt has been instrumental to our success the past three years, particularly as we navigated through the impacts and challenges of Covid-19, all while leading the organization to a million dollar budget for the first time in the organization’s history. On behalf of the board, staff, and every student we serve, I want to personally thank Matt for his mentorship to me, but more importantly his heart, dedication and contributions to 21CL.”
21st Century Leaders is a youth leadership and talent development organization for Georgia high school students. 21CL provides year-round programming by collaborating with over 50 corporate and community partners. 21CL leadership training includes residential summer leadership institutes, school-year training, school-based clubs, and an online learning platform.
About 21st Century Leaders
Since inception in 1989, 21st Century Leaders has served more than 16,000+ diverse high school students from over 250 Georgia high schools. 21st Century Leaders is a non-profit organization that connects, transforms, and inspires high school students across Georgia to leverage diversity, explore career opportunities, and become leaders in their school, community, and ultimately the workforce. For more information about 21st Century Leaders, visit www.21stcenturyleaders.org.
# # #
For media inquiries and image requests, please contact:
Nicole Meadows
Director of Programs & Communications
nicole@21stcenturyleaders.org
404.373.7441
21st Century Leaders Announces Winners of 2022 Georgia Youth Leadership Awards
[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” menu_anchor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” parallax_speed=”0.3″ video_mp4=”” video_webm=”” video_ogv=”” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” overlay_color=”” video_preview_image=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” padding_right=”” type=”legacy”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” center_content=”no” last=”true” min_height=”” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_sizes_top=”” border_sizes_bottom=”” border_sizes_left=”” border_sizes_right=”” first=”true”][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” content_alignment_medium=”” content_alignment_small=”” content_alignment=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” font_size=”” fusion_font_family_text_font=”” fusion_font_variant_text_font=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_transform=”none” text_color=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Top 21 High School Students of 21st Century Leaders Selected for Outstanding Leadership
(February 11, 2022) Atlanta, GA – 21st Century Leaders, a Georgia-based non-profit youth leadership and talent development program for high school students from diverse backgrounds across the state, announces the top 21 youth leaders selected for its annual signature event, Georgia Youth Leadership Awards, presented by WarnerMedia, to be held on Saturday, March 19, 2022 at the Buckhead Theatre in Atlanta, Ga.
21st Century Leaders (21CL), in partnership with the event’s corporate sponsors and partners, brings together business and civic leaders to raise support for 21st Century Leaders’ year-round leadership programs while also recognizing 21 outstanding high school students throughout Georgia who have made a significant impact on their schools, communities and beyond.
21CL serves over 1,000 students annually and this year’s 21 awardees – all in high school and all members of 21st Century Leaders – include non-profit founders, educators, content creators, researchers, and community advocates who truly represent the diversity of Georgia with students from DeKalb to Effingham to Columbia counties. The nominated students exhibit 21CL’s leadership qualities of being service-oriented, forward thinking, resourceful, passionate and of leveraging diversity. The 21 awardees were carefully chosen by a 23-member selection committee of Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 40 Under 40 members, 21CL Board of Directors, 21CL corporate volunteers, and 21CL alumni and student peers. The full selection committee is listed below and on its website.
21st Century Leaders is proud to announce the following 21 outstanding youth leaders for the 2022 Georgia Youth Leadership Awards:
- Amelia Akins, South Paulding High School
- Alexandra Audrain, Marietta High School
- Ajay Balasubramaniam, Lambert High School
- Raul Bejar Mejia, Gainesville High School
- Gabriel Blanding, Greenbrier High School
- Esther Ceballo, Westlake High School
- Sanjna Desai, North Gwinnett High School
- Zora Felix, New Manchester High School
- Asanshay Gupta, Atlanta International School
- Ansh Jain, Milton High School
- Joon Kwon, Northview High School
- Olivia Li, Chamblee Charter High School
- Benjamin Loong, Campbell High School
- April Moss, Effingham County High School
- Swetha Pendela, South Forsyth High School
- Juliana Claire Ponciano, Ware County High School
- Ila Prabhuram, Etowah High School
- Anne Robinson, Midtown High School
- Avijit Singh, Westminster Schools
- J’Avani Stinson, DeKalb Early College Academy
- Gabrielle Tobin, Lovett High School
Through corporate sponsors’ support, each youth leader will be presented with a $500 grant, with one student awarded the WarnerMedia Student Leadership Award – the event’s top award which includes a $1,000 grant from the presenting sponsor, WarnerMedia. Students are also paired with GYLA Coaches who mentor the students throughout the event season. GYLA Coaches are members of Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 40 Under 40 alumni, maintaining a partnership established with the group in 2008 when 21st Century Leaders first launched this event. GYLA winners and coaches met at a private virtual Meet + Greet reception on Thursday, February 10, 2022.
This year’s event is being led by GYLA Co-Chairs and 21CL Board of Directors members Okema Jackson of WarnerMedia and Maria Flores Blackburn of Southern Company, also a 21CL Alumna. For more information about the Georgia Youth Leadership Awards or to purchase a ticket to the event, please visit www.21stcenturyleaders.org. All proceeds from the event will support 21CL’s ongoing efforts to provide youth leadership and talent development programs for high school students across Georgia at little to no cost to students.
GYLA Selection Committee
All nominations were reviewed by our 23-member GYLA Selection Committee, comprised of Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 40 under 40 members, 21CL Board of Directors, 21CL corporate volunteers, and 21CL alumni and student peers. Committee members included Monique Bell, Bobby Dodd Institute*; Stacey Betz, Mercer; Susannah Darrow, Purpose Possible*; Chandra Farley, ReSolve*; David Felfoldi, SHERPA Global*; Dr. Shaneeta Johnson, Morehouse School of Medicine*; Jesse Lindsley, Thrust Interactive*; Ying McPherson, Unifi*; Amanda Mewborn, Navicent Health*; David Minnix, CineMassive Displays*; Dr. Adriane Randolph, BrainLab, Department of Information Systems, Coles College of Business, KSU*; Shawana Rapp, SHRM-ATL; Dr. Alicia Shelly, Wellstar Health Systems*; Mari Sifo, SWM International*; Antrell Tyson, WorkSource Atlanta*; Stephen Vault, Wellstar*; Rachel Weitz, Delta*; Ryan Woods, Beck Architecture*; Stephen Smith, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency*; Marty Fleischmann, Response Media, 21CL Board of Directors*; Shelton Guinn, MarketSource, 21CL Board of Directors; Tomi Oladeji and Sabrina Zhu, 21CL members and 2021 GYLA Student Recipients.
*GYLA Coaches; additional coaches include April Jackson, Truist; Kari McFarlane, Google, Akinship; Kat Taylor, Nelson Mullins, 21CL Board of Directors
About 21st Century Leaders
Since 1989, 21st Century Leaders has served more than 16,000 diverse high school students from over 250 Georgia high schools. 21st Century Leaders’ mission is to connect, transform, and inspire high school students from diverse backgrounds across the state of Georgia to leverage diversity, explore career opportunities, and become leaders in their school, community, and ultimately the workforce.
21st Century Leaders is currently accepting student applications (until March 1st and March 15th) into their leadership and development program and for their four summer leadership institutes for the 2022 summer. The summer leadership institutes are residential one-week programs hosted on a college campus with our corporate partners and business professionals. 21CL accepts rising sophomores, juniors and seniors. For more information about 21st Century Leaders, visit www.21stcenturyleaders.org/student-programs.
# # #
For media inquiries, please contact:
Nicole Meadows
Director of Programs & Communications, 21st Century Leaders
nicole@21stcenturyleaders.org | 404.373.7441
[/fusion_text][fusion_button link=”https://www.21stcenturyleaders.org/news-and-events/georgia-youth-leadership-awards-3/” title=”” target=”_self” link_attributes=”” alignment_medium=”” alignment_small=”” alignment=”” modal=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” color=”custom” button_gradient_top_color=”#ff9800″ button_gradient_bottom_color=”#707070″ button_gradient_top_color_hover=”” button_gradient_bottom_color_hover=”” gradient_start_position=”” gradient_end_position=”” gradient_type=”” radial_direction=”” linear_angle=”” accent_color=”” accent_hover_color=”” type=”” bevel_color=”” bevel_color_hover=”” border_top=”” border_right=”” border_bottom=”” border_left=”” border_radius_top_left=”” border_radius_top_right=”” border_radius_bottom_right=”” border_radius_bottom_left=”” border_color=”” border_hover_color=”” size=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” font_size=”” line_height=”” fusion_font_family_button_font=”” fusion_font_variant_button_font=”” letter_spacing=”” text_transform=”” stretch=”default” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” icon=”” icon_position=”left” icon_divider=”no” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]Purchase Tickets/Sponsorship[/fusion_button][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
Fulton County + 21CL Launch Youth Leadership Program
NEWS RELEASE
Fulton County’s CONNECTED: Youth Leadership Program (CYLP) in Partnership with 21st Century Leaders
CYLP provides Fulton County high school students with an experiential leadership and rewards program
ATLANTA – The Fulton County’s Department of Community Development’s Youth and Community Services Division (YCS) is partnering with 21st Century Leaders, Georgia’s premier youth leadership and non-profit organization, to connect, transform and inspire high school students from diverse backgrounds in Fulton County to become the next generation of leaders. Applicants may complete applications until Monday, September 27, 2021 at 11:59 p.m.
Fulton County’s CONNECTED: Youth Leadership Program (CYLP), is an experiential program designed to provide students with a full year of robust experiences, enabling them to develop critical leadership knowledge, explore future career interests, and make informed decisions about the necessary educational and training pathways to achieve desired future career goals. Participants will also have access to live and online leadership training, special incentives, and connection with diverse peers and professionals throughout Fulton County.
Through this collaboration, YCS and 21st Century Leaders will follow an EPIC approach model: Engaging (fun and unique learning), Participatory (active and ongoing), Interactive (employer and training driven), and Connected (interest driven/social developmental) utilizing 21st Century Leaders’ (21CL) proprietary online learning platform, Leadership Connect®, which is housed on Rali, an Atlanta based learning management system and one of 21CL’s partnering companies.
For consideration, students must meet the following criteria:
● Must be enrolled in high school
● Must be a Fulton County Resident
● Access to a computer/tablet and Wi-Fi will be required to fully participate in this virtual leadership program
Leadership, recognition, and inclusivity describe just a few of the many qualities exemplified by CYLP. As such, there will be several opportunities throughout the year to provide incentives that encourage and reward participant engagement to include:
● $25 Sign-on
● $25 New Year Bonus
● $100 Weekly Gift Card Drawing
● Technology Prizes (Ear pods, Laptops, tablets)
● Special Experiences
● Live Workshops + Leadership Summits
Completed applications may be submitted through the Fulton County website application link at www.fultoncountyga.gov/CYLP.
For more information, please contact Reginald Crossley, Youth Coordinator via e-mail at Reginald.Crossley@fultoncountyga.gov.
About 21st Century Leaders
21st Century Leaders® is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that connects, transforms, and inspires high school students from diverse backgrounds across Georgia to leverage diversity, explore career opportunities, and become leaders in their school, community, and ultimately the workforce. Since inception in 1989, 21st Century Leaders has served more than 16,000 diverse high school students from over 250 Georgia high schools through year-round leadership development, diversity and inclusion training and career exploration programs. For more information about 21st Century Leaders, visit www.21stcenturyleaders.org.
For more Fulton County news, sign up for the weekly e-newsletter #OneFulton at https://goo.gl/Nb1L84. You can also visit Fulton County’s website at www.fultoncountyga.gov or connect with Fulton County government on Twitter at @FultonInfo or Facebook at @fultoninfo.
###
Department of External Affairs
MEDIA CONTACT: Erica Miller
404-713-5995 (cell)
erica.miller@fultoncountyga.gov
141 Pryor St. SW, Suite 3090
Atlanta, GA 30303
www.fultoncountyga.gov
https://www.facebook.com/FultonInfo
Alumni Spotlight: Ousman Sahko Sow
Our first Alumni Spotlight for this year is Ousman Sahko Sow, who was a member of our 21Club at Langston Hughes High School back in 2010 and participated in 21CL programs throughout high school, including “Leadership Unplugged: a CNN Experience” which is now known as the WarnerMedia Institute for Future Leaders. Ousman is the co-founder of Blacktag that is dedicated to helping Black creators have a platform to explore their creativity and be connected with world-class brands.
“The best tool I took from 21CL was the ability to break the ice and engage with anyone. Without all the activities we regularly participated in, which all focused on people and engagement, I would not be the conversationalist I am today which is one of the best foundational skills you can have as an entrepreneur.” – Ousman Sahko Sow
Paint a brief picture of what you’re doing now.
I am the co-founder of a media and technology platform called Blacktag. It is a creator driven platform, specifically for alternative Black creators. You can think of it as a hybrid of Netflix and YouTube, combining original studio content with user generated content in a dedicated home for underserved Black audiences.
How did participating in 21CL transform you and lead you to where you are now?
In high school, I had never really seen or heard of anything that empowered young individuals who were interested in entrepreneurship. I had always been interested in starting my own business and was an overachiever from a young age, so being around like-minded individuals made me feel inspired. One of the most transformative aspects for me was realizing a different career path, one that was different from the traditional ones of medicine or law, and that was a viable and realistic option for me. Recognizing this gave me the ability and a lot of confidence to go into the entertainment space where I could build something extraordinary.
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 specifically by helping me have an experience at CNN and land an internship there while still in high school! During the summer leadership institute they brought in leaders from CNN to talk to us, and they provided insights into what life is actually like in their career field. I had always been interested in TV so meeting folks in that industry and offering their thoughts really prepared me to seriously consider that industry for my career. One of the things I noticed was the excitement these folks had for their career, showing me that it’s possible to do what you love as an adult. The best tool I took from 21CL was the ability to break the ice and engage with anyone. Without all the activities we regularly participated in, which all focused on people and engagement, I would not be the conversationalist I am today which is one of the best foundational skills you can have as an entrepreneur.
Which programs did you participate in, and when? What skills did you gain or improve through those programs?
In 2010, I had the opportunity to participate in Leadership Unplugged: a CNN experience, and also had an internship with CNN coordinated through 21CL. While I learned a great deal of skills along the way, the experience itself offered me a lot of insight for my career. I was able to witness and immerse myself into the entertainment industry with folks just like me. It may not sound significant, but this was the first time I really saw myself in an entertainment based career and had the confidence to do so because of my time as an intern.
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 remember we had a 21CL dance off; all the groups got together and no one cared if you messed up or looked funny, it was just meant to be a fun time. I was pretty shy at the time so to participate in something out of my comfort zone pushed me to open up and in turn I gained a lot of confidence.
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 remember Bob, who was the Executive Director at the time; very charming, charismatic, always himself, and incredibly passionate about learning. He always made it a priority to get to know everyone in the program and recognize each participant for their abilities and achievements. Bob’s leadership style had a huge impact on me because I got to experience firsthand the impact of a leader who was constantly engaged and that’s ultimately the style I bring to my team.