Alumni Spotlight: Gareth Thompson

Gareth Thompson is a graduate of Wheeler High School (2019) and of the University of Georgia (2023); this fall he will start working as a Contract Compliance Associate at KPMG. Throughout high school, Gareth attended many of our student programs, was a 21CL Youth Ambassador and recently served as a Summer Leadership Team member and alumni roundtable speaker, helping to mentor and inspire our current students.

“I really encourage students to be all-in when attending these programs. You get out what you put in! Your spot in 21CL is a spot that hundreds of other students are vying for – why waste it? It is such a good opportunity to meet with professionals and start growing your professional network – something that is even more difficult to do on your own.” ~Gareth Thompson

Paint a brief picture of yourself and what you are doing now.

I graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Georgia in May 2023 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics and Risk Management & Insurance, along with an emphasis in consulting. I was involved in several organizations during my collegiate career – notably the Asian American Student Association (AASA), and the professional business fraternity Delta Sigma Pi of which I was Ethics Chair. Throughout college I interned at State Farm Mutual Insurance for two summers, one as an Auto Claims Intern and the second as a Special Investigative Unit Intern. This fall I plan to work full time as a Contract Compliance Associate with KPMG in the Atlanta office. As I await professional life, I enjoy travelling with friends, playing sports, playing music, and making art.

When were you in high school and which 21CL programs did you participate in?

I attended Wheeler High School from 2015 to 2019. I attended three summer leadership institutes: EarthCare at Berry College in 2016, SYLI at Emory University in 2017, and Turner Youth Voices Media Institute at Georgia Tech in 2018. I was a 2018-2019 21CL Youth Ambassador and attended Fall and Winter Leadership Summits in 2018 and 2019, respectively. Since high school, I recently returned to 21CL as a Summer Leadership Team member for EarthCare 2023.

What was your memorable or ‘aha’ moment during your time at 21CL?

It’s so hard to pick just one memorable moment! I would have to say that the first night of EarthCare my roommates and I all went into one room and just started talking for hours, playing music, and becoming close friends. I was skeptical about joining camp at first – it was my first time away from home at an overnight camp but knowing that people were with me sharing the same experiences made it a lot more welcoming and bearable. If they could do it, so could I! Knowing that everyone involved, from the campers to the staff, were 100% all in on making the program the best it could really be encouraged me to give it my all and eventually return for years to come.

Did 21CL assist you in developing a leadership style that makes you an effective leader?

I am not the loudest speaker in the room, and sometimes it’s difficult for me to have my voice heard, especially among large groups. Working on the 21CL projects helped me speak up, and even encourage others to do the same. Being around so many different people with different experiences meant that everyone had a unique perspective to the tasks we were trying to solve. I learned to understand that, not to devalue my own contributions, and look for ways I could get others involved, even if I wasn’t the loudest. Starting off small in 21CL has helped me hone these collaborative skills into other projects that I’ve had to do in college and throughout various internship experiences.

What advice would you give to a current or future student?

I really encourage students to be all-in when attending these programs. You get out what you put in! Your spot in 21CL is a spot that hundreds of other students are vying for – why waste it? It is such a good opportunity to meet with professionals and start growing your professional network – something that is even more difficult to do on your own. The skills you learn are transferable skills that will make you head and shoulders above your peers as you venture into college and professional life. But don’t only focus on the professional! The personal relationships you form will last you a long time. Don’t be afraid to reach out to other campers or even the staff. Who knows? A relationship in camp might turn into a job opportunity down the line.

How would you describe 21CL in three words?

Powerful. Fun. Foundational.

Alumni Spotlight: Camaran Henson

Camaran Henson, a graduate of Brookwood High School (2012) and of the United States Naval Academy (2017), currently works as the Vice President, Global Program Manager at Citigroup and is a former Naval Officer who served in the US Navy for more than ten years. While in high school, Cam participated in one of 21st Century Leaders’ Summer Leadership Institutes, the media- and technology-focused program sponsored by Warner Bros. Discovery (formerly Turner) known at the time as Leadership Plugged-In. In this post he shares how that training helped him throughout his high school years and after.

“Outside of sports, this was the first time I had to engage with peers for a desired outcome. As someone who “likes to do it all” this experience gave me insight on how to rely on and trust in my team.” – Camaran Henson

Paint a brief picture of yourself and what you are doing now.

After graduating high school, I attended the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. While there I earned my Bachelor of Science in Economics. Following graduation, I was commissioned into the navy as a Naval Officer. I had the opportunity to serve in the Navy for an additional 6 years and led teams of 30-300 personnel. I have now transitioned out of the naval service and work as a Vice President, Global Program Manager at Citi. In this role I serve as an internal consultant to Citi’s transformation goals.

When were you in high school and which 21CL programs did you participate in?

While in high school in 2010, I participated in a 21CL summer camp program known as Leadership Plugged-In at Georgia Institute of Technology.

How has your career unfolded and how did participating in 21CL help prepare you for your next steps going to college, taking on a new leadership role in community/college and after?

21CL was my first exposure to networking with peers outside of the classroom. It gave me the opportunity to work with individuals with different backgrounds at an early age in my life and the networking and interpersonal skills I learned guided me through my time at the Naval Academy and beyond!

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

While at the 21CL camp I had to work with a group to do a presentation. Outside of sports, this was the first time I had to engage with peers for a desired outcome. As someone who “likes to do it all” this experience gave me insight on how to rely on and trust in my team.

Did 21CL assist you in developing a leadership style that makes you an effective leader? if so, how? And if you’ve recently learned something else about leadership please share!

Recently I have learned that leadership is to try and look at situations from another person’s perspective.

What advice would you give to a current or future student?

Be comfortable with being uncomfortable. Take on challenges and utilize this time in your life to work out the “kinks.” Step outside of your comfort and challenge yourself in the areas that you think you need to develop.

How would you describe 21CL in three words?

Insightful, Engaging and FUN!

Alumni Spotlight: John Graves

21CL Alumnus John Graves is a graduate of Sonoraville High School (2018) and of the Georgia Institute of Technology (2022); he currently works as an Associate Consultant for Bain & Company. Throughout high school, John attended many of our student programs, was a 21CL Youth Ambassador and was one of our 2018 Georgia Youth Leadership Award winners. In his post, John shares how 21CL inspired him to accelerate his personal growth and find environments that encourage innovative thought among young people, and more!

Paint a brief picture about yourself and what you are doing now.

My name is John Graves and I graduated from Sonoraville High School in 2018. I spent the next 4 years getting my Bachelor of Science in Economics Degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. After graduating in May of 2022, I started working as an Associate Consultant for Bain & Company in their Atlanta office. In my free time I enjoy all things outdoors including running, cycling, backpacking, and helping out on my family’s farm.

When were you in high school and which 21CL programs did you participate in?

I attended Sonoraville High School in Gordon County from 2014-2018. I participated in the Summer Youth Leadership Institute (SYLI@Goizueta) program at Emory University in 2015. I also was fortunate to serve on the 21st Century Leaders Youth Ambassador team from 2015-2016 and attend some fall / winter leadership summits. To end high school, I was honored to be a recipient of 21CL’s Georgia Youth Leadership Award in 2018.

How has your career unfolded and how did participating in 21CL help prepare you for your next steps going to college, taking on a new leadership role in community/college and after?

My full-time career is still just beginning, but my career preparation began quite a long time ago. My involvement in 21st Century Leaders during high school helped fuel my interest in exploring innovation through entrepreneurial leadership. As I built a business-focused leadership and communication toolkit throughout the program, I was exposed to the stories and ideas of Atlanta business leaders, 21CL alumni, and my peers. Seeing the true breadth of opportunity that young people have to innovate excited me as I heard stories of the successful students that had come before me. This immersive week inspired me to accelerate my personal growth in these areas by finding an environment that encouraged innovative thought amongst young people. That is how I ended up at Georgia Tech, and ultimately why I am at Bain & Company today.

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

Attending the SYLI Summer Institute was an ‘aha’ moment for me in several big ways. First, as a high school freshman going into my sophomore year, I was able to learn about the college admissions process, how to challenge myself academically, and where to set my sights from my older, more prepared, student peers. Second, I was exposed to powerful stories of successful student-led nonprofits in Georgia that eventually inspired me to start a non-profit initiative in my hometown. Finally, and most importantly, I learned how impactful it is to surround yourself with people with unique interests, experiences, and goals to challenge your own. That summer at SYLI exposed me to all of these things and truly provided the direction behind much of my high school experience.

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 hope the groups that I have led over the years would agree with this, but I like to think 21st Century Leaders helped me become a more effective leader by emphasizing the importance of listening to others. In situations of leadership today, I enjoy the exercise of asking members of a group for their first take on how to deal with a problem or situation before I assert my own proposed path forward.

What advice would you give to a current or future student?

My advice to current and future students is simple. Enjoy friendships with people that have different backgrounds. There is so much to learn by surrounding yourself with diverse perspectives. Friends I made in 21CL programs all those years ago have had an enormous impact on my academic/career path.

How would you describe 21CL in three words?

Hard to do but I think I would use the three words, “our collective future,” because each of the students in programs I personally attended, and all of the program alumni, are on their way to change our generation’s shared future.

Alumni Spotlight: Kristin Strother

Our Alumni Spotlight for October 2022 is Kristin Strother! A graduate of Young Americans Christian School (2016) and of Georgia Southern University (2020), Kristin currently works for Mercedes-Benz USA as Critical Parts Coordinator; she loves volunteering and was at our 2022 Charity Golf Outing! While in high school Kristin participated in many of 21CL’s programs. “It was a new experience and not like any I had ever had before. I learned how to network, make friends and ask questions. These are skills that I carried with me and have helped me a great deal in where I am today.” – Kristin Strother

Paint a brief picture of what you are doing now.

My name is Kristin Strother. I was born and raised in Georgia and graduated with a BBA in Information Systems from Georgia Southern University. Currently, I work for Mercedes-Benz USA as Critical Parts Coordinator in the Parts Logistics department. My role is pretty data-focused which consists of  managing the database, analyzing the data and communicating my findings in order to facilitate data-driven decisions.

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

21CL was my first big interview process. It showed me that I could get through an interview and that interviews weren’t always scary. I participated in a summer program that was my first time away from home in a facility that wasn’t a cabin or camping. I had to carry myself in a professional setting, manage my own time, and reach out to others on my own. I believe that going through the 21CL process provided me with the confidence in myself that has carried me through to where I am today and where I will go in the future.

Which programs did you participate in? How did the skills/tools/perspectives you acquired from 21CL prepare you for your next steps?

In 2014, I participated in Leadership Unplugged: A CNN Experience (now called the Warner Bros. Discovery Future Leaders Institute), [a 21CL service project cleaning up the] Atlanta Beltline, and other workshops that were held. It was a new experience and not like any I had ever had before. I learned how to network, make friends and ask questions. These are skills that I carried with me and have helped me a great deal in where I am today. In hindsight, I guess the biggest lesson I learned was how to make myself heard. I listened through all of the sessions with the professionals and had conversations at the end. When I needed clarity, I asked a question. This main lesson is what guided me through all of the experiences and opportunities I’ve had thus far.

Did you have a memorable or ‘aha’ moment during your time at 21CL?

I remember going to my interview at Georgia Tech and being so nervous. Then, I was sitting in there with all the other kids thinking of what questions they might ask and how I might answer them, and then I remember someone asking a question like ‘Can you walk like a duck’ or something like that. Funny thing is, the management team at the company I’m at now asks off-the-wall questions like that all the time. Maybe not to walk like a duck, but something that throws off the monotony of being in a serious environment and helps people to relax. Anyway, I got to meet so many people, both peers and professionals with different backgrounds; we all landed in the same room. I loved just conversing and listening to all the people and I made some really great friends!

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!

21st Century Leaders has great programs and it empowered me with leadership skills at an early age.  Skills such as networking, listening, communication, on-your-feet problem solving, and letting go didn’t resonate with me until I attended the 21CL Summer Leadership Institute in 2014; and it wasn’t until I was navigating through college, working, balancing my own schedule, and job hunting that I realized the power that those lessons actually held. So, I would say yes, 21CL assisted in making me an effective leader.

Many new principles about leadership have been presented to me along the way, however, there are two things that are prevalent in my mind. One is learning to let go of control. Let go, but not too much. Allow other people to help you and if something isn’t done exactly the way you would do it, it’s okay. The second is sometimes the other person is just going to be upset…no matter what. I struggle with this one a lot. I’m such a people pleaser and love to make everyone happy, but sometimes it’s just not possible. You will hold yourself, and sometimes your team, back by trying to please every person.

Alumni Spotlight: Ashley Carter

21CL Alumna Ashley Carter is a graduate of Midtown High School (2016), of University Of Georgia (2020) and headed back to University of Georgia for her PMBA, She currently works as a Software Instructor for Blackbaud and has previously worked as a multimedia journalist in Atlanta, Georgia. Ashley enjoys volunteering and uplifting others and believes that growth and learning never end.  “When I was at a low point in my life during high school, I remember joining the 21CLUB at my school. We gave back to the community, got to hear from different speakers, gaining life lessons at each meeting and grew as leaders. Eventually I joined the 21CLub’s leadership because I felt better overall while uplifting others.” – Ashley Carter

Paint a brief picture of what you are doing now.

I am a software instructor for a technology company called Blackbaud. I train hundreds of accountants each month, from non-profits around the world, how to navigate and use Blackbaud’s software solution, Financial Edge NXT. I previously worked in television news in Atlanta and Myrtle Beach. The skills I utilized in the news business have been essential to me striving and growing in my role.

Which programs did you participate in? How did the skills/tools/perspectives you acquired from 21CL prepare you for your next steps, going into college, taking on new leadership roles in your community, college and after?

The 21st Century Leaders community is unmatched! When I was at a low point in my life during high school, I remember joining the 21CLUB at my school. We gave back to the community, got to hear from different speakers, gaining life lessons at each meeting, and grew as leaders. Eventually I joined the 21CLub’s leadership because I felt better overall while uplifting others, as I was growing into womanhood. Those strong values of service have been instilled in me. Ms. Van Atta (the 21CLub Advisor) at Midtown High School played a key role by taking us in as we were and never judged. That made my time in the club so much nicer! I later got to attend one of the 21CL Summer Leadership Institutes, Leadership Unplugged: A CNN Experience, currently known as Future Leaders Institute – an experience I will never forget! That week was so fun and insightful, and it’s a huge reason I went on to study journalism at the University of Georgia! Those skills I gained from that camp are still used up to today even in my current role. On top of all of that, the friends I have made during my 21CL days are still in my life!

Do you have a memorable or ‘aha’ moment during your time at 21CL? (Particular program, meeting a professional and diverse peers, speaking in public for the first time, etc.?)

Something I will never forget about 21st Century Leaders is when I was home one summer, following my senior year of high school and after an internship ended abruptly; I called 21st Century Leaders’ office to see if they had work that I could help with. They immediately created a position for me, and during that summer I got a real world work experience before college! I got to see behind the scenes of how tough their work is to support thousands of high school students, yet the staff does it with such grace. I knew from that point forward, that 21st Century Leaders’ mission was bigger than just programs and meetings… it is truly to make a better tomorrow! I will never forget that!

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!

Overall, in each role I have held, I can adapt and pivot quickly. I also have been commended for taking feedback and promptly applying that to my workflows to make outcomes greater.  Something I have learned through 21st Century Leaders is that it is important to adapt to continue growing. Growth and learning never end. I also know, as I continue to elevate, it is important to reach back to uplift others. Community service continues to be at the center of my life! I am so grateful for that.

Alumni Spotlight: Matthew I. George

21CL Alumnus Matthew George is our alumni spotlight for April 2022. A graduate of Alpharetta High School (2019) and a third year student at Young Harris College  (2023), Matthew was one of our 2019 Georgia Youth Leadership Award winners and is currently interning for The Council of State Governments as a public policy analyst. In this post he shares about his great experience during 21CL days, the connections he made and how it all impacted him! 

Paint a brief picture of what you are doing now

Hello, I am Matthew and go by Teo! I am a third year student at Young Harris College and recently I embarked on a journey to Washington DC interning for The Council of State Governments as a Policy Analyst. I communicate public policy research and engage in ongoing policy projects focused on providing state leaders policy options and solutions via non-partisan research. Working with the national policy shop on federal grant projects with the Department of Defense, Department of Labor, and Department of Education.

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

21st Century Leaders was a great way to make connections, both with fellow 21CL peers, mentors and the members of corporate organizations at each of the events I attended. This catalyzed the creation of a robust network of professionals that assisted me in many ways including advancing my portfolio and resume experience.

Which programs did you participate in? How did the skills/tools/perspectives you acquired from 21CL prepare you for your next steps, going into college, taking on new leadership roles in your community, college and after?

I participated in several 21CL programs throughout my high school years – summer, fall and winter leadership programs, all! In tandem with the previous question, it is all about the connections! One of the programs, the WarnerMedia Institute for Future Leaders, fostered an internship with Adult Swim the following summer. I’ve maintained these contacts and now applied to a new program with CNN in Washington DC!

During my senior year of high school, I ran for student body president and later applied as peer leadership for incoming freshman. In college, I actively participated in leadership positions within our Student Government Association and some of our local organizations on campus. Additionally, a fellow 21CL partner from the Turner program is also at Young Harris College!

Do you have a memorable or ‘aha’ moment during your time at 21CL? (Particular program, meeting a professional and diverse peers, speaking in public for the first time, etc.?)

There’s this one moment I distinctly remember walking out into the hallway at CNN and bumping into Carl Azuz. I froze in my tracks. After hearing him speak about his time at CNN, I realized broadcast news, writing, and/or analysis would be the way, consequently leading into a position with Adult Swim. EarthCare was my first 21CL program and I am not going to lie, I registered for it as a mistake (tehe). Nonetheless, it was SUCH a great experience, and I really enjoyed my time there! Additionally, I moved to the United States in 2016 and the experience helped with my transition, opening ideas of career pathways I had not considered in the past.

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!

Since 21CL days, I have been a shift supervisor at Starbucks in multiple locations, a Peer Leader, Orientation Leader, and involved in local politics – there has never been a consistent day with a steady workflow and I must say that the servant leadership skills developed and honed with 21CL have been crucial to every experience. 21CL is near and dear to my heart, and I loved the entire experience!

 

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: 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.

What We Learned from the 2020 Pivot

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By: Nicole Meadows, Director of Programs and Communications

In a year of resets and restrictions, altered responsibilities and edited goals, obscured pathways and “to be determined” plans, it has been necessary to befriend resiliency. To embrace relevancy. To brace for impact. It turns out our impact was notable: the launch of a new summer leadership institute exploring the healthcare and IT workforce, provision for 284 high school students to attend one of four one-week summer programs and enroll in our online learning program Leadership Connect for the rest of the academic year at no cost to them, and leadership development and career exploration resulting in increased confidence and inspiration to take action and create change. Here’s what we learned by adapting 30 years of hands-on residential summer programming into a virtual space with 210 volunteers and a core mission to inspire youth to lead.

Leverage Diversity and Think Forward. 21st Century Leaders (21CL) has always been forward-thinking. Founded in 1989 by business professionals who saw a gap in the readiness and diversity of leaders within the workforce, 21CL’s mission to connect, transform, and inspire high school students across Georgia to leverage-diversity, explore career opportunities, and become leaders in their schools, communities, and ultimately the workforce is just as relevant in 2020 as it was over 30 years ago. Add to the mix the disruption of a global pandemic and the momentum of social justice response and it becomes necessary to embrace the notion that “Everyone can be a leader. You don’t have to be a certain gender, race, or nationality to be a leader,” as Jordan Tyler, senior at Georgia Connections Academy encourages. Connect young leaders to people of influence with whom they can relate, and connect them with those who are different – both will expand their perspective, encourage their potential, and motivate them to lead at any age and learn at every age.

Compassionate leadership is needed now more than ever. “I felt that the volunteers were concerned about us. They seriously empathized with the craziness of being a teenager in today’s world, and did not discount it. This is something missing in schools and many teens’ lives, so it was a breath of fresh air to see their compassion shine through,” says Morgan Byers, a rising junior at East Jackson Comprehensive High School, who attended our inaugural Healthcare & IT Institute (HII). Over the summer, volunteers led sessions covering change management, emotional intelligence, mental wellness and crisis leadership. Panel speakers like superintendents spoke of the challenges faced by virtual learning, such as providing community access to WiFi to ensure all students can continue learning. Corporate leaders spoke of their intentional response to Black Lives Matter and decisions to publicize their stance as a company because it is a responsibility of their influence and their commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. Among the turbulence and questions of this year’s unique climate, the answer and anchor is compassion.

Vulnerability builds trust. No man is an island, but it can seem that way if the mindset is independence. Just as we highlight teambuilding skills and the leadership value of leveraging diversity, we strive to promote authenticity. Honesty resonates with this young generation of leaders. Especially now when expectations of success are deconstructed and reconfigured. With our students, they specifically appreciated the candor of successful professionals who spoke about their obstacles and their failures. Madison Billings, senior at Westlake High School who attended the WarnerMedia Institute for Future Leaders, said about the transparency of the volunteer speakers that she “liked how open and honest they were. They didn’t sugarcoat anything and say everything was perfect. They told us what it was really like, the mental, physical and emotional aspect of their jobs.” It is humanizing. It says that we’re all in this together, doing the best we can. It gives permission to try and possibly (probably) fail and from that gift develop resilience.

Take the Risk. When schools switched to distance learning, and the college campuses that host our summer leadership institutes closed, and gatherings were postponed, we had a choice to make about our path forward. We determined to make order out of chaos. We knew it was important to be there for our students, and thankfully in the age of technology had the platform to do so, enabled by the support and involvement of our corporate partners, individual donors, foundations and Board. As Sarah Sims, rising senior at Chattahoochee County High School, says, “You have to be willing to take the risk and realize it is not about you. It is about what you can give to the community.” We were able to give inspiration, connection, and hope for the future to our state-wide community of students, and know they will in turn give to their own communities as leaders.

As we reflect on our impact of our 2020 summer leadership institutes, we look at the students who represent 21st Century Leaders. They chose to show up every day and give their best to the situation. They connected with each other through the screen and closed the distance with kindness to each other. They asked insightful questions, they solved problems, they articulated their experience and they face the future with confidence, knowing they are capable and equipped, and they are not on their own. Carley Cook, a senior at The Paideia School, says that “Leadership is not just based off of the leader but also the people being led.” If our students are any indication, we’ve done something to be proud of.

Learn more about 21st Century Leaders’ pivot, impact and future outlook in the 2020 Stakeholder Address, presented by 21CL’s Executive Director, Kate Hewitt, and Board Chair, Matt Johnson.

[/fusion_text][fusion_button link=”https://vimeo.com/462728144″ text_transform=”” title=”” target=”_self” link_attributes=”” alignment_medium=”” alignment_small=”” alignment=”center” modal=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” color=”default” button_gradient_top_color=”” button_gradient_bottom_color=”” button_gradient_top_color_hover=”” button_gradient_bottom_color_hover=”” accent_color=”” accent_hover_color=”” type=”” bevel_color=”” border_width=”” border_radius=”” border_color=”” border_hover_color=”” size=”” 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=””]Listen to 2020 Stakeholder Address[/fusion_button][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

21st Century Leaders Launches 4th Summer Leadership Institute

21st Century Leaders Announces 4th Summer Program Focused on Leadership within the Healthcare Industry

Piedmont Healthcare commits to 2 years of funding

ATLANTA – February 5, 2020 21st Century Leaders (21CL) announced today the launch of a fourth summer leadership institute as it starts its fourth decade of service to the state of Georgia. The launch of this new program is made possible from the support of corporate partners and individual donors thus far. 21CL 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 schools, communities, and ultimately the workforce.

21CL’s one-week residential summer leadership institute, Healthcare & IT Institute, will be held for 50 Georgia high school students from July 12, 2020 through July 17, 2020 on the campus of Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Georgia. 21st Century Leaders is proud to have the following corporate partners, thus far, supporting the launch of this program: Attento Counseling, Piedmont Healthcare, AllHealth CHOICE, and Meadows Regional Medical Center.

“We’re always finding ways to serve and reach more students across the state of Georgia, diversify our career exploration opportunities, and identify the needs within our state,” said Kate Hewitt, executive director of 21st Century Leaders. “Healthcare is one of Georgia’s leading industry sectors and it’s critical that we’re exposing students to all of the career pathways available to them, and to develop a diverse pipeline of talent and leaders to create change and impact in this industry.”

Dr. Jyoti Sharma, Cardiologist, Medical Director of Women’s Heart Program, and Medical Director of Advanced Practice Providers at Piedmont Healthcare says she’s proud of Piedmont for not only stepping forward as the first corporate sponsor to support 21st Century Leaders as they launch their inaugural Healthcare & IT Institute, but also for committing two years of funding.

“Piedmont’s core promise ‘to make a positive difference in every life we touch’ applies not only to our patients, employees, and co-workers, but also to high school students across the state of Georgia.  Service to our community is at the heart of all that we do we and we hope that exposure to our institution and our values will inspire these students to become the next generation of healthcare leaders,” said Dr. Sharma. 

21st Century Leaders established a Healthcare Steering Committee led by industry professionals in summer 2019 to help launch and implement the week-long institute.  The 14 member committee, three of whom are 21st Century Leaders Alumni, is comprised of Machelle Baisden of Grady Hospital, Ray Cross of AllHealth CHOICE, Marie Cameron of Georgia State University’s J. Mack Robinson College of Business, Dr. Jacque-Corey Cormier of Georgia State University’s School of Public Health (21CL Alumnus), Ralph Donaldson of WiseThink Health Solutions, Dr. Shaneeta Johnson of Morehouse School of Medicine, Jesse Lindsely of Thrust Interactive. Amanda Mewborn of Navicent Health, James Nixon of Meadows Regional Medical Center (21CL Alumnus), Shane Owens of Thrust Interactive, Rhett Partin, Georgia Hospital Association, Dr. Jyoti Sharma, Piedmont Healthcare (21CL Alumna), Melissa Tymchuk of Northeast Georgia Health System, and Stephen Vault of WellStar.

21st Century Leaders is still accepting corporate partners and donations to help support this program launch and to eliminate as much financial cost to students. To learn more and get involved, please contact 21CL’s Executive Director directly at kate@21stcenturyleaders.org or 404-373-7441.

About 21CL’s Healthcare & IT Institute (HII)
Healthcare/IT Institute (HII) is a week-long dynamic and healthcare-focused leadership development program held the second week of July at Kennesaw State University. Each day of HII, students will develop their leadership skills while exploring different facets of the growing healthcare and healthcare IT business world through hands-on workshops with passionate professionals, networking opportunities and corporate tours. Students will reside in the dorms on the college campus for the 6-day, overnight program. All rising sophomore, junior, or senior Georgia high school students are eligible to apply. An online application and recommendation form must be submitted by March 1, 2020 in order to be considered for an interview and selection.

HII is just one of three summer leadership institutes 21st Century Leaders provides. 21st Century Leaders also partners with WarnerMedia for it’s Youth Media Institute, Georgia Power Foundation for it’s EarthCare institute, and multiple companies, including Coca-Cola Company, for it’s SYLI program at Emory’s Goizueta Business School.

About 21st Century Leaders
Since inception in 1989, 21st Century Leaders has served more than 14,000 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. 21st Century Leaders launched it’s first summer residential program in 1991, and now provides year-round leadership development and career exploration programs, including leadership summits, an online learning platform, and school-based clubs. For more information about 21st Century Leaders, visit www.21stcenturyleaders.org.

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Media Contact:
Kate Hewitt
Executive Director, 21st Century Leaders
kate@21stcenturyleaders.org
404-373-7441