Alumni Spotlight: Jalen Q. Polk

Alumnus Jalen Polk is currently a fourth-year Economics major at University of Georgia (UGA) and is a graduate of Woodward Academy (2017).  During his high school years he participated in many of 21CL’s programs, and now gives back, recently serving on our summer leadership team as a staff member and alumni mentor for the summer leadership institutes in 2019 and 2020.

Jalen most recently received the UGA President’s 2021 Fulfulling the Dream Award at their annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Freedom Breakfast. The award recognizes individuals dedicated to making significant contributions to race relations, justice and human rights.

Paint a brief picture of what you are doing now.

I am currently a senior pursuing an Economics major at UGA. It is exciting, particularly due to the electives which I am enrolled in plus the opportunity to conduct research which has been a desire of mine since entering college. I am heavily involved on campus as it is a passion for me to give back to the spaces which uplifted me when I first stepped foot on this campus. I am the President of the Black Male Leadership Society currently on campus seeking to foster a sense of unity, strength, and love amongst black males on campus and throughout Athens.

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

I participated in 21st Century Leaders, and every step was uncomfortable. However, I gained confidence, insight, encouragement, and connections which have served as a solid foundation as I matriculated throughout high school and into college. It has transformed into a premiere opportunity for me to give back and truly examine my leadership capabilities. 21st Century Leaders is extremely service-oriented and intentional, so both mentors, speakers, and students are celebrating in a space of learning, growth, and diversity.

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?

21st Century Leaders exposed me to a new friend circle who demonstrated to me the importance of being coachable and giving one’s very best! My experience within 21st Century Leaders was enhanced with the real world challenges we solved, and these simulations required teamwork and effective communication. 21CL prepared me today because I grew out of my shell by trying new risks and I also realized my creative capabilities.

Jalen pictured in the blue shirt as a student attending SYLI@Goizueta in 2016.

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

I participated in the SYLI@Goizueta in 2016 and in the school-year leadership summits in 2016 and 2017. I also served as a Youth Ambassador during my senior year. These programs helped me improve in my openness as there were others who genuinely wanted to learn from me and share more about themselves. The relationships which formed at this organization are going strong until today! I am forever grateful.

What was a memorable or ‘aha’ moment in 21CL? (Particular program, meeting professional and diverse peers, speaking in public for the first time, etc.?)

A memorable moment in 21CL was when I was working on a project, and I was incredibly nervous to mention my idea. However, my team was more than receptive and they took my idea, ran with it, and added to it. I was impressed with our end result and amazed by how we all played a team effort. My investment was necessary no matter how many times I counted myself out in my own head!

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!

Leadership is not about me, but it is sincerely about leading others. Leadership is not consuming a position or working in any interest separate of the followers who look up to that person in leadership. Leadership will always be based on action, and I believe there should be a desire to lead others.

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: Charlese Watson

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Alumni Spotlight: Charlese Watson

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Charlese Watson, owner of HoneyBee Studios, participated in the 21st Century Leaders summer leadership institute program at Savannah State University in 2007. Prior to that, she participated in the inaugural Turner-sponsored summer leadership institute program at GA Tech in 2006. She was also a marketing intern for 21st Century Leaders from 2007 – 2008 (which was “loads of fun!”) and is a volunteer with 21CL. Charlese is a high school graduate of DeKalb School of the Arts and college graduate of Savannah College Art & Design.

Currently, Charlese is focusing on building clientele for her videography company, HoneyBee Studios. She has two brands under her company: the first brand is dedicated to filming weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs, birthday parties, and special occasions; the second brand is dedicated to filming promotional videos for corporate clients, music videos, etc. She is continuing to build out her wedding brand, with plans to strategically focus on the corporate brand side in the summer of 2018.

How did participating in 21CL change you and/or lead you to where you are now?

21st Century Leaders gave me lifelong friendships and the leadership skills I needed to pursue and be successful in various positions throughout my college career. 21st Century Leaders also provided me with the confidence needed to go after my dreams and create a life that I enjoy living. The organization taught me how important it is to help those around you and give back when you can.

What was your most memorable moment in 21CL?

A memorable moment for me was when we had the opportunity to visit Turner Studios and shoot a Public Service Announcement (PSA).

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 tools/perspectives have helped you along the way?

21st Century Leaders taught me how to network and how to work with people of different backgrounds. Both of these tools allowed the transition into college to be smooth for me. With the leadership skills I developed, I was able to secure multiple part-time jobs and leadership positions while in school, which included being an orientation assistant, marketing assistant for the school magazine and newspaper, student ambassador, and first year experience peer mentor, amongst other roles.

What’s something you’ve recently learned about leadership?

Being a great leader means being of service to the people you lead, caring about their needs and goals, as well as supporting them every step of the way.

What advice or encouragement do you have for 21CL students?

Take the program seriously. Make a ton of connections. Learn all that you can because you never know when you’ll need to pull from your experiences within the organization. Keep in touch with your peers throughout your college career!

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Learn more about HoneyBee Studios and Charlese’s targeted brands at www.honeybee-studios.com  Best wishes, Charlese! Thank you for sharing inspiration with future entrepreneurs like yourself, and we’re sure we will see you soon!

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Alumni Spotlight: Erin Lightfoot

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Alumni Spotlight: Erin Lightfoot

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I never thought I would be responsible for leading over 600 employees at 22 years old. Working for the biggest and coolest online retailer in the world has been an invaluable experience in project management and team development. With two holiday seasons under my belt, I’d say I’m getting the hang of this young professional lifestyle. Now in 2017 and age 24, I’m returning to the Atlanta area to continue my Amazon journey and remain involved in the programs and organizations who helped shape me. Thank you 21CL for empowering me to lead before I knew who or what I’d be leading.

Erin Lightfoot didn’t predict how her experience with 21CL as a high school student would prepare her for a role as Area Manager for Amazon Fulfillment after college, but she knew the experience gave her a foundation. After attending one of 21CL’s week-long summer leadership institutes, Erin sought out places and ways to apply her leadership. Read about her journey and the motivation she shares!

How did participating in 21CL change you and/or lead you to where you are now?

21st Century Leaders introduced me to other bright-minded young people. That one week was the first time I’d left my hometown for a “significant” amount of time for the purpose of leadership development. 21CL planted seeds of confidence, exposure, and focus on my future that I wouldn’t have had otherwise.

What was your most memorable moment in 21CL?

My most memorable moment was working with my group members to design an app called ShakeDate. It was one of the first times I created and presented a business plan.

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 tools/perspectives have helped you along the way?

For the rest of my high school career I pursued more leadership opportunities, revamped my high school’s honor society, led the committee for the school’s annual black history show, and landed two internships – one with a U.S. Congressman and one with a neighborhood revitalization group. I thrived in college as well and graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in Industrial Engineering in 2015. I was accepted into graduate school but ultimately decided to join Amazon Fulfillment as an area manager for one of their largest distribution centers.

What’s something you’ve recently learned about leadership?

Recently I’ve re-learned the importance of servant leadership and truly being in touch with the people I am leading. Over the years, I’ve witnessed other leaders become distracted by their titles or become obsessed with metrics instead of focusing on the people they are leading every day. By taking a genuine interest in the people I serve, I find that their morale increases and their performance improves. Everyone wants to be valued, heard, and supported.

What advice or encouragement do you have for 21CL students?

Be YOU! And be proud of who you are! Find joy in whatever career path you choose. If you ever become discouraged along the way, remember you are unique and filled with purpose. Keep in mind what motivates you and put your passions to action.

I actually have the same words of encouragement for professionals: Be YOU! And be proud of who you are! Find joy in whatever career path you choose. If you ever become discouraged along the way, remember you are unique and filled with purpose. Keep in mind what motivates you and put your passions to action.

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Erin attended G5 (now SYLI) at Emory’s Goizueta Business School in the summer of 2010. She is a graduate of Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School (’11) and the Georgia Institute of Technology (’15). She spoke at the 2017 Georgia Youth Leadership Awards in February, and students attending SYLI this summer can look forward to meeting her (as well as other alumni) at the 21CL Alumni Networking Roundtables Event!

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