Alumni Spotlight: Maimuna Gassama

21CL Alumna Maimuna Gassama is our first spotlight for November 2021. A graduate of Cross Keys High School (2015), of St. John’s University (2019) and of Johns Hopkins University (2021), she currently works as Senior Program Management Coordinator at The Kaizen Company, where she is in charge of managing projects in Jordan and Uganda that are funded by United States Agency for International Development- USAID . In this post, Maimuna shares about the lessons on leadership she learned from 21CL and how she has taken them onward throughout her undergraduate and graduate school, professionally, and in her day-to-day life. She enjoys mobilizing people towards bigger goals and ensures everyone’s ideas and strengths are cultivated to produce the best results!

Paint a brief picture of what you are doing now.

I’m a recent graduate of the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, where I received my Master’s Degree in international economics and conflict management. After graduation, I worked with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) on emergency refugee work. Now, I work as a senior program management coordinator at the Kaizen Company – Tetra Tech. The Kaizen Company is an international development consulting firm and an incubator for innovative, scalable solutions that address emerging market challenges and opportunities. In this role, I assist in managing two USAID (United States Agency for International Development) projects in Jordan and Uganda.

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

One of the most important lessons I learned from 21CL was the importance of paying it forward. I was overwhelmed by the kindness and encouragement from all the volunteers and 21CL staff at all 21CL events. They were all so generous with their time and were all genuinely committed to seeing us succeed and thrive. Those experiences have encouraged me to continue “paying it forward” in any way I can. I served as a mentor during undergrad, supporting incoming first-year students from minority backgrounds, and currently serve as a mentor with Diplomatic Perspective, an initiative to increase minority representation in international affairs. Apart from mentoring, I work in the international development space. The idea of paying it forward directly coincides with my work today. The projects I work on are in partnership with USAID. So, my work also provides opportunities to support efforts that lay down foundations that improve people’s lives and allow people everywhere to succeed.

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 quite a few different 21CL programs. I attended Leadership Unplugged currently known as Warner Media Institute for Future Leaders (2013) and the EarthCare Summer Leadership Institute (2014). I was also a member of the Youth Advisory Council and Board, then went on to be a Turner Voices intern at CNN Newsource after graduating high school.

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

I loved being social throughout all of the 21CL camps, but I was TERRIFIED of public speaking. I convinced myself that I was okay with being in the background. Sure, leaders don’t have to be the loudest in the room, but they need to be ready to step up if required. During the EarthCare Summer Leadership Institute, right before our final presentations, one of my group members suggested we perform a “rap” in place of a PowerPoint presentation. We huddled, brainstormed, and came up with an AMAZING rap, but like me, all my group members were terrified of public speaking, and therefore uncomfortable with performing the rap. I mustered up all the courage my 17-year-old self had and rose to the challenge. I volunteered to perform the rap alone on the condition that we’d include additional parts in our presentation so everyone could be involved.  The rap and the presentation were such a success that my team won the “EarthCare challenge!”

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?

21CL taught me a lot about my leadership style. My experiences with the students from my 21CL cohorts collectively encouraged me to be more of a visionary leader. 21CL taught me the value of collaboration to produce excellent work AND the importance of supporting and respecting all group members when working on collaborative efforts. It’s why I’m a leader dedicated to always lifting as I climb and making sure to always pay it forward. I’ve taken the lessons 21CL taught me about leadership to undergrad, throughout graduate school, professionally, and in my day-to-day life. I enjoy mobilizing people towards a vision and a big picture goal, then ensuring everyone’s ideas and strengths are cultivated to produce the best results.

Alumni Spotlight: Emily Jackson

21CL Alumna Emily Jackson, better known by her artist name EmmoLei Sankofa, is our Alumni Spotlight for October 2021. A graduate of Westlake High School (2008), of Hampton University (2012) and of Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) (2014), Emily is an emerging talent and active voice among the next generation of music industry leaders. She and her work have been featured on various platforms, including Lyrical Lemonade, LANDR, Saint Heron, OC Weekly, The Recording Academy, Gender Amplified, Billboard, and more. She is an alumna of The Recording Academy’s 2021 NEXT program. In her post, Emily says that she is grateful to 21CL for creating a hub for future leaders to grow and learn from each other. She was one of the 21CL Alumni who volunteered at the 2021 Charity Golf Outing this month and was one of the sponsors of the game!

Paint a brief picture of what you are doing now.

I am Emily Jackson, better known as EmmoLei Sankofa, an American composer, producer, musician, and artist whose work stretches across music, visual media, and fine art. A 2021 Sundance Composers Lab Fellow, I had the opportunity to work closely with Film and Television composers on my craft. Creative Advisors for the intensive include Kathryn Bostic, Laura Karpman, Blake Neely, Heather McIntosh, George S. Clinton, Mychael Danna, Jeff Rona, and Christopher Willis. I have collaborated with some of the best emerging and award-winning filmmakers, including Rhea Dillion, Jonathan Lewis, Imani Dennison, Sekani Solomon, Ajiri Akpolo, and more. My original music has been heard via screenings at HBO, the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, Lionsgate, Warner Bros., the Oakland Museum of California, and film festivals in Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago, Savannah, Baltimore, Las Vegas, Laughlin, and beyond. I have also worked with top brands like Nike, Vans, Buzzfeed, Pandora, Kamala Harris for the People, Pulse Films, and more via my creative audio company, Bèl Son.

My discography encompasses over twenty-one independently released albums, EP’s, and singles collectively and embodies a mixture of genres but often integrates soul, jazz, classical, and rhythm and blues. My single, “Don’t Fight,” was recently included on Adult Swim’s OPUS compilation album. As a musician, I have performed with Nelly, Ella Mai, Kurt Schneider, and more and recently had her debut performance as a solo act on Mobley’s “Devil in a Daydream” Virtual Tour. I was invited to participate in the 2021 “Songs of Pride” songwriting camp, hosted by Universal Music Publishing Group, where I collaborated with emerging songwriters/artists Amanda Cygnaeus and Nate Traveller.

I just wrapped the score for Horror Noire, a six-story anthology film, due to release on Oct. 28th on Shudder, the upcoming season of Step Up: Highwater on Starz alongside Stephanie Economou, and I am currently working on a docu-series at Amazon.

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

During my high school years, I participated in the Winter Summit, Fall summits, in the 21CLub at Westlake HS and in the Summer Leadership Institutes. 21st Century Leaders was a step in the journey and a piece of my story. It gave me a space to nurture relationships, refine my leadership skills, and get in the practice of giving back to my community.

How did the skills/tools/perspectives you acquired from 21CL prepare you for your next steps, going into college and taking on leadership roles, heading into a new era of professionalism?

21st Century Leaders really taught me the importance of and connection between leadership and service.

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

I do cherish all of the community service events we did. The one that jumps out at me immediately is when we repainted the main stage at Dad’s Garage Theater and now, my fiancé has a mural on the side of their building – Full circle moment! I also really cherish other simple projects that made big impacts like clearing Kudzu at the Atlanta Food Bank and painting single family homes with Habitat for Humanity.

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’ve always been a leader, so I believe the most important thing 21st Century Leaders did was to connect and expose me to future leaders and people that I could look to as I refined my leadership style. Creating a hub for future leaders to grow and learn from each other introduced a synergy that the world is feeling the impact of today.

Alumni Spotlight: Taylor Benford

Taylor Benford is our second Alumni Spotlight for November 2018! She works as a Senior Consulting Analyst at Accenture  and is a graduate of Howard University (2016) and of Whitefield Academy (2012). Taylor says that participating in 21st Century Leaders gave her a strong foundation for becoming a transformative leader throughout her college years and as a young professional.  For her, it’s never too early to start giving back!  Read on…

Paint a brief picture of what you are doing now

I’m currently a Senior Consulting Analyst at Accenture where I’m in the Consulting Development Program. Specializing in Finance Analytics, my project experience ranges with clients in a variety of industries from Public Service to Communications.

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

Participating in 21st Century Leaders armed me with the foundations of becoming a transformative leader in collegiate and professional settings. I am deeply grateful for the guidance that I received – from understanding the importance of advocating for myself and others to learning appropriate business casual attire. This guidance led me to joining a professional business fraternity, obtaining multiple internships, and entering my senior year of college with an accepted job offer. As a young professional, my leadership skills have carried me where inexperience may have created adversity.

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 provided me with the confidence and reassurance that I needed to pursue leadership opportunities when I started college. During my freshman year at Howard University, I was elected as Treasurer of the School of Business Freshman Council and was admitted into the Freshman Leadership Academy. I can definitely trace the refinement of my soft skills, such as public speaking and effective networking, back to my 21CL roots.

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

I participated in Leadership Plugged-In (now TVYMI) in 2011, during the summer before my senior year of high school. Learning how to work collaboratively, speak with poise regardless of audience, and understanding the influence of technology on business at Leadership Plugged-In has been a catalyst in my success. Also, having the opportunity to present to Turner executives in high school has definitely made it easier for me to present to C-suite client executives at work today.

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

The most memorable moment for me was meeting so many amazing people from across Georgia. The entire week of Leadership Plugged-In we encouraged each other, worked tirelessly to complete our presentations, and built lasting connections. I recall being in awe of how ambitious and passionate everyone was. Iron sharpens iron and I returned to school that fall with a renewed spark. I still keep in contact with many people from that summer and truly value that 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 believe that one of my key strengths is my ability to create genuine connections with people from all backgrounds and levels. During Leadership Plugged-In, we had to seek feedback from Turner executives as well as our counselors to produce a successful business case presentation. I strive to be a 360-degree leader who successfully leads themselves, leads upwards, leads across peers, and leads downwards. Staying in contact with 21CL over the last 7 years has afforded me many opportunities to volunteer. No matter where you are in your career, it’s never too soon to start giving back!