WELCOME!
Tonight,youaresurroundedbythefuture.
Among us this evening are 21extraordinaryyoungpeople being recognized with the 2026 Georgia Youth Leadership Award. They are nonprofit founders and entrepreneurs, scientists and advocates, artists and servant leaders. They are from rural counties and urban schools, from across the full breadth of this state. Together, theyrepresentwhatispossiblewhen young people are given access, opportunity, and the belief that they belong in every room they enter.
Since 1989, 21st Century Leaders has served more than 20,000 students from 95% of Georgia's counties, and the demand for our programs grows every single year. We are reaching more students, more schools, and more communities than ever before. Theneedisreal,andsoistheopportunityinfrontofus.
96% of our students participate at no cost. That is only possible because of the generosity in this room. Every dollar raised tonight, including $11,000 in grants made possible by our sponsors, is a direct investment in the leaders who will strengthen our companies, our communities, and our civic life for generations to come. Yoursupporttonightisnotsimplyacontributiontoacause. It is a bet on Georgia's future, and on the young people proving every single day that the bet is worth making.
I am deeply honored and humbled by the community of leaders who show up, year after year, to make sure our students have every advantage they need to succeed. Tonight is a reflection of your generosity, your vision, and your commitmenttosomethinglargerthananyoneofus.
Welcome to an evening that will inspire you, challenge you, and remind you that the future is bright.
Withgratitude, Dr.MariSifo Acting Executive Director, 21st Century Leaders (21CL)
OURMISSION
21st Century Leaders® is Georgia’s premier non-profit organization that connects, transforms, and inspires high school students across Georgia to leverage and promote inclusion, explore career opportunities, and become leaders in their schools, communities, and ultimately the workforce.
www.21stcenturyleaders.org
6:00p.m.
7:00p.m.
8:00p.m.
DoorsOpen-Registration+NetworkingReception
Welcome+Dinner
MariSifo,ActingExecutiveDirector,21stCenturyLeaders
OpeningRemarks
GregClay,21CLBoardofDirectors,GalaCo-Chair(21CLAlumnus)
QuianaPinckney,21CLBoardofDirectors,GalaCo-Chair
GeorgiaYouthLeadershipAwards Service-OrientedCategory,sponsoredbyGenuinePartsCompany ResourcefulCategory,sponsoredbyGeorgiaPower LiveAuction
InclusionCategory,sponsoredby21CLBoardofDirectors Forward-ThinkingCategory,sponsoredbyCox
EmpowerourFuture:BetheInspiration
AmyPhuong,21CLAlumna,SVP,GovernmentRelationsatAtlanta Hawks&StateFarmArena
PresentingSponsor
WarnerBros.DiscoveryStudentLeadershipAward MallomLiggon,ExecutiveDirector,StrategicPartnershipand Engagement,TNTSports,21CLBoardofDirectors
ClosingRemarks
MariSifo,ActingExecutiveDirector,21stCenturyLeaders
DINNERMENU
Menu catered by Proof of the Pudding Horsd'oeuvres:ArgentinianBeefSkewer(GF,DF)+Chimichurri;Shrimp&Grits Bite+CajunAioli;VegetableEmpanada(V)+MangoSalsa
Salad:GrilledPearSalad+BabyGreens,GrilledBoscPears,SlicedStrawberries, Gorgonzolacheese,CandiedWalnuts,RaspberryVinaigrette(V,GF,DFwithoutcheese; containsnuts)
Entrée:ItalianHerb-CrustedChicken+ TomatoBasilSauce,GarlicParmesean MashedPotatoes,PoachedBroccolini(GF)
VegetarianEntrée:AcronSquash +BalsamicGlaze,FarroPilaf, PoachedBroccolini(Vegan)
Dessert:ChocolateBreadPudding(V)+WhippedCream,DriedBerry Garnish
21st Century Leaders' programs are not possible without the supportof ourvolunteers! Thank you to our leadership teams, coaches, business professionals and alumni for their servant leadership!
2026 Gala Co-Chairs
Greg Clay
Deputy Chief of Staff to the Mayor, City of Atlanta 21CLBoardofDirectors,21CLAlumnus
21CLBoardofDirectors
GalaAuctionContributors:21CLAlumniBoard
Bridget Gorta, Imani Holmes, Cristy Jones, Asher Jones, Mark Lindemann
CoachestoGeorgiaYouthLeadershipAwardees
MaranieBrown,BlackRock,21CL BoardofDirectors*
WhitneyDealMarshall,Whitney MarshallCoaching*
PranavDhingra,Equifax,21CL BoardofDirectors*
HassimDiallo,JPMorgan*
ChandraFarley,CityofAtlanta, Mayor’sOfficeofSustainability& Resilience*
MartyFleischmann,MastersTeam Ventures*
AshleyLee,TheCoca-Cola Company,21CLBoardofDirectors*
PaulaLett,Wellstar*
MallomLiggon,WarnerBros. Discovery,21CLBoardofDirectors
LanitaLucas,Aflac*
JuanMejia,JCMVentures*
Dr.BrandonMorgan,Iconic Orthodontics,21CLAlumnus*
JonNeff,SKL’D,21CLBoardof Directors*
JohnnyNguyen,AtlantaPolice Department*
BrePittman,Sage*
Dr.AdrianeRandolph,Kennesaw StateUniversity*
TiffanyReed,PurposePossible* MarthaRevelo,DeKalbCounty Government*
AssivanBastelaar,Atlassian* MaryWalker,Invesco*
MattWestmoreland,AtlantaCity Council*
GeorgiaYouthLeadershipAwardSelectionCommittee
Coachesindicatedabove*, alongwithDavidFelfoldi,SHERPAGlobal;ShannonWiggins,CityofChamblee,21CL AlumniBoard;andHadilAdam,2025GYLAStudentRecipient.
BoardofDirectors
ChrisReynolds,BoardChair Owner/President|FiduciaryServicesUnlimited
MariSifo,ViceChair CEO|TalentManagementConsultants
MichaelWhite,Secretary SeniorDirector,HumanResources|Cox Communications
CarlaChandler,Treasurer VP+MarketChiefFinancialOfficer|Geisinger
MaranieBrown VP,DataPlatforms&Solutions|BlackRock
ErikBryant
SVP,WealthAdvisor|TruistWealth
GregClay
DeputyChiefofStaff|CityofAtlanta,Mayor’s Office,21CLAlumnus
PranavDhingra CFO,USMortgage&DirecttoConsumer| Equifax
BrianGoebel ManagingDirector,Business&SocietyInstitute |EmoryUniversity,GoizuetaBusinessSchool
OkemaJackson VicePresidentofMedia,Operations, Programming&Traffic|WABE
JeffKupor
Sr.ManagingDirector&GeneralCounsel| Invesco
AshleyLee VicePresident,ExecutiveCounsel,&Headof LegalOperations|TheCoca-ColaCompany
MallomLiggon ExecutiveDirector,StrategicPartnerships, Engagement&Impact|TNTSports,Warner Bros.Discovery
JonNeff Co-Founder+CEO|SKL’D
TavaneshaShepard Manager,Learning&Development|Aflac, 21CLAlumna
ChiNguyenSwallow CFO|InsightGlobal
QuianaPinckney VP,Corporate&BrandCommunications| ADP
JasonWallace SVP,BusinessDevelopmentManager|The CapitalGroup
RachelWilliams VPofTransmissionFieldOperations|Georgia Power
AnqiZou
SVP,Fair&ResponsibleBankingCompliance AnalyticsDirector|Truist
21st Century Leaders was founded in 1989 and has become the premier youth leadership development program for high school students across GA. We provide equitable access to high-level leadership training and workforce readiness to thousands of high school students year-round through the partnership and support of corporations, funders, & volunteers.
Together, we're connecting, transforming, and inspiring the next generation of diverse leaders and talent for companies and communities across Georgia and beyond.
GEORGIA YOUTH LEADERSHIP GEORGIA YOUTH LEADERSHIP AWARDS AWARDS
At our BetheInspirationGala we honor 21 student members of 21st Century Leaders with our signature GeorgiaYouthLeadershipAwardand$11,000in grants. Each of these inspired youth are making a positive impact through their leadership in action, represent the diversity of our state-wide student body, and demonstrate our fiveleadershipvalues. While all of our 21 Georgia Youth Leadership Awardees are resilient, each of them have a defining quality that shines through in their impact and motivations.
INSPIRED YOUTH INSPIRED YOUTH
Each Awardee has completed at least one level of curriculum in Leadership Connect, our online learning platform.
21Awardeesrepresent 21highschools and 14counties
presentedby:
EUNCHANCHOO
ColumbusHighSchool,MuscogeeCounty|Classof2026
Eunchan Choo is an environmental steward, problem-solver, and literacy advocate from Columbus, Georgia. In 2023, he founded his school’s Recycling Club after noticing a gap between organized recycling systems he experienced in Korea and the disorganized practices at his school. Working with city officials, he relaunched a structured program, growing it from nine
members to over 65 volunteers who now collect 600 gallons of recyclables weekly. He also organized environmental education sessions for elementary students and led a battery recycling drive to prevent hazardous waste from entering landfills. His leadership earned him the Keep Columbus Beautiful Commission Student of the Year Award, and his organization received the city’s Litter Prevention Award. Through partnerships with local officials, his team collected 30,000+ pairs of shoes for distribution to communities in developing countries. Beyond environmental advocacy, Eunchan mobilized youth as youth president at his church to organize a nine-week car wash fundraiser, raising over $1,000 for homelessness relief, tutors students through Path to Shine, and engages superintendents in research on educational disparities to improve learning accessibility. Guided by lived experience and faith, Eunchan translates observation into action, striving to build sustainable systems empower young learners, and strengthen communities wherever he serves. Eunchan’sGYLACoachisJohnnyNguyen,AtlantaPoliceDepartme
JOSIEHERREN
BerrienHighSchool,BerrienCounty|Classof2026
Josie Herren is a dedicated volunteer and leader in her school and the Berrien County community She serves as Co-Captain of the Berrien County Chamber of Commerce Student Ambassador Program, where she supports local businesses and community events, including the Harvest Festival. She contributes to the Chamber Banquet, which honors and engages community
leaders As founder and President of her school’s 21Club, Josie leads members in promoting growth, leadership, and community service. She is active in Future Farmers of America (FFA), serving as Vice President of Strengthening Agriculture (2024–2025) and Treasurer (2025–2026), guiding a chapter of 350 students through meetings, workshops, and FFA Week. For two years, she has chaired Environmental Field Day, educating nearly 300 students about environmental careers and recruiting professionals such as wildlife biologists, game wardens, and forestry representatives. She has presented leadership topics to peers and educated over 150 members on safe driving during harvest season. Her video on the dangers of blind spots with farm equipment, created for the Protect the Harvest Campaign, reached over 2 5K views on social media. Beyond school, Josie serves her church, The Bridge, through the Children’s Ministry, designing the website and materials, and assisting with Night to Shine, a special needs prom. Guided by her motto, “flexibility is key,” she inspires others to grow as leaders, embrace challenges, and strive for their best.
Josie’sGYLACoachisAshleyLee,TheCoca-ColaCompany(21CLBoard)
KEZIAKOTEY
DeKalbEarlyCollegeAcademy,DeKalbCounty|Classof2026
Kezia Kotey is a servant leader, changemaker, and dedicated to hard work and compassion for others. She believes that true leadership uplifts others and that even small actions can have meaningful impact. At DECA, she demonstrates leadership through her academic excellence, service, character, and leadership roles, including efforts to bridge communication gaps between under-
DECA and Georgia State University’s campus. She created a DECA application assistance form, a resource to help 8 graders in 20 middle schools in DeKalb County as they apply to DECA. She is also developing the “DECA Resources Website” which will provide a resource for scholarships, summer programs, and other useful information for over 200 students at her high school. Each day, Kezia’s goal is to make someone smile and remind them of their unique purpose. Her personal mission is to leave every place and person better than she found them Through leadership roles in her 21CLub and the DeKalb Library Teen Advisory Board, she works toward this mission by supporting peers through mental check-ins and modeling effective leadership for future officers. As a Vice Chair of the 21CL Youth Ambassadors, she developed a guidebook on how to be a Youth Ambassador. She believes that when she has the resources to improve something, she has a responsibility to act. This mindset fuels her deep involvement in school activities, consistent volunteerism, and commitment to creating new opportunities for others. She understands that leadership is not one-size-fits-all and strives not only to embody that belief, but also to empower others to recognize that their leadership matters.
Kezia’sGYLACoachisMarthaRevelo,DeKalbCountyGovernment
JUSTANMOSLEY,JR.
AllatoonaHighSchool,CobbCounty|Classof2026
Justan Mosley Jr. is a 21CL Youth Ambassador and student leader whose impact is defined by purpose, discipline, and measurable service to youth and families across Georgia. Raised by his single father, Justan learned that true leadership is about consistency, accountability, and serving others. As a Youth
Community Engagement Leader with the Georgia Safe Child Initiative, he supports harm- and risk-reduction efforts through events, workshops, and campaigns, reaching over 600 youth and adults. He approaches leadership by creating solutions that prevent challenges before they arise. His leadership extends across formal roles in more than 16 school and community organizations. Through volunteer outreach with the Council on Alcohol and Drugs, he has contributed to prevention initiatives that have reached over 1,000 middle and high school students throughout Metro Atlanta. Collectively, his school-based leadership and volunteer efforts impacted more than 1,600 students in the past academic year. As Historian and Secretary of the Guide Right Kappa League, he preserves organizational legacy while also showcasing creativity through storytelling, including his award-winning short film Echoes of the Past. Looking ahead, Justan plans to pursue International Business on a pre-law track, with aspirations in family law and public service, reflecting his commitment to protecting, educating, and advocating for youth.
Justan’sGYLACoachisHassimDiallo,JPMorgan
BROOKESMITH
Brooke Smith is a dedicated scholar and community leader whose work exemplifies service, advocacy, and action. As Chair of the Atlanta Public Schools Student Advisory Council, she represents over 50,000 students and helped create Talk It Out, a 24-hour mental health platform reaching over 10,000 students across all APS middle and high schools. As President of the KIPP Atlanta Collegiate
BETA Club, Brooke organized over 30 community cleanups, eight top-ranked American Red Cross blood drives, and a comprehensive food security initiative that delivered over 200 kits to families in need. She has organized projects that delivered over 300 handmade bracelets and cards to local hospitals and shelters. She is the first student in Atlanta Public Schools’ history to sit on the Atlanta Board of Education’s Policy Committee, where she represents the interests of all APS students at the highest level of district governance. She also serves as Chair of the 21st Century Leaders Youth Ambassador Program, through which she has contributed new ideas and initiatives, including proposing a student-led TEDx event designed to amplify youth voices and expand leadership access for young people across Georgia. In addition, Brooke serves as Chief Impact Officer of Bridge2Success, a national college access nonprofit founded alongside fellow Thrive Scholars that has generated over 100,000 social media interactions within its first few months. Beyond service, Brooke advocates for inclusion and equity through her work with the Mayor’s Youth Ambassador Program and the Generational Good Trouble Youth Advisory Council, where she has actively lobbied at the Georgia State Capitol to influence policies promoting diversity and opportunity in schools. As a Thrive Scholar and aspiring data scientist, Brooke continues to blend innovation with empathy. Brooke’sGYLACoachisJonNeff,SKL’D(21CLBoardofDirectors)
BLAKEDAVIS
presentedby:
TheGallowaySchool,FultonCounty|Classof2026
BlakeDavis is the founder and Executive Director of Teen Service Connect, a nonprofit that connects youth with volunteer opportunities for individuals and teams. Teen Service Connect has mobilized over 150 youth volunteers, contributed more than 1,000 service hours, and partnered with 15 organizations across Metro Atlanta As the founder and president of the 21CLub at her school, she led projects that included collecting 75 books for Books for Africa, creating 30 handmade cards for Cardz for Kidz, and hosting a résumé-writing workshop for peers. Within Jack and Jill of America, Inc. and her role as Teen Community Service Chair, she led major service and fundraising initiatives that raised over $30,000 and secured a $5,000 grant to expand access to prom attire for students in need. Blake was recognized as a Global Online Academy Capstone Honoree for her research on music and neurodiverse learning, as a Governor's Honors Program Semifinalist, and as a Nurturing Next Award recipient. She is a 21CL Youth Ambassador and a Certified Math and Literacy Tutor at Agape Community Center and has earned both Gold and Silver Youth Volunteer Service Awards. She’s completed a clinical internship with Georgia Dermatology Partners and balances academics and AP courses with varsity soccer, softball, and over a decade of vocal training. She is committed to advancing research, leadership, and service at the intersection of psychology and community impact. She plans to major in psychology and become a psychiatrist, driven by passion for understanding human behavior, resilience, and learning.
Blake’sGYLACoachisBrePittman,Sage
TAYLORHARPER
Taylor Harper co-founded of The Atlanta Mind Project (TAMP), a 501(c)(3) non-profit that specializes in youth mental health education in Atlanta. Led by a 5-member board, TAMP has partnered with the East Lake Family YMCA and Jack and Jill of America, Inc. to host a mental health clinic for students from over 20 schools and 4 states, training them to be mental health
CharlesR.DrewCharterSchool,DeKalbCounty|Classof2026 ambassadors. Her social media campaigns have reached over 3,000 audience members worldwide and she’s planning “Walk and Talks” to connect teens with local therapists and professionals to foster mentorship and leadership development. Within school, Taylor is CoCaptain of the Varsity Cheer Squad, Captain of the Girls Varsity Golf Team, and is the CoFounder and Vice President of her school's 21CLub, where she learns and shares valuable insights about leadership and service to its members. She is an advanced harpist, advanced dancer, and dance intern at her school, using the arts to make an impact on others. Taylor is also the Student Government Association (SGA) President and has held the position of Class President since freshman year. Taylor is a member of Jack and Jill of America Incorporated and is the former Senior Teen Recording Secretary of the Atlanta Chapter. She has won Outstanding Female Athlete in the Southeastern region and is a volunteer media correspondent for 11Alive News and the PGA Tour. Taylor aspires to be a sports psychologist to help professional athletes succeed through mental health Taylor’sGYLACoachisWhitneyDealMarshall,WhitneyMarshallCoaching
KAREEMHASSAN
LakesideHighSchool,ColumbiaCounty|Classof2026
Kareem Hassan is a vanguard for educational advancement and resourcefulness in action. His Power-in-Pages initiative raised over $2,700 to reinstate reading incentive programs in local schools, launching in Columbia County and expanding to Forsyth and Metro Atlanta. At a pilot school, 60% of parents reported that the
ability and frequency of their child’s reading improved. By building partnerships with sponsors such as Zaxby’s, Publix, and Chick-fil-A, Kareem transformed limited funding into sustainable motivation systems that continue to reward and inspire young readers. Kareem’s dedication to improving education for his community doesn’t end with reading incentives; he dedicated his Eagle Scout project to enriching the learning environments of a new school. With over 40 volunteers engaged and nearly 200 service hours of his own, the project transformed rooms with visible insulation and electric wiring into safe, thriving classrooms. In addition, Kareem co-founded the Muslim Student Association (MSA), an interfaith club that has grown to over 90 members and boasts over 80% non-Muslim members. Events like a Lent-Ramadan meeting and Eid al-Fitr celebration to celebrate the completion of Ramadan brought together over 200 attendees to learn about the origin and meaning of religious celebrations while enjoying traditional Islamic dress and a taste of cultural food. Kareem credits 21st Century Leaders, where he serves as a Youth Ambassador and member of his school’s 21CLub, with fostering his growth as a proactive leader and change maker. He remains committed to creating meaningful change in his community through investment in education and mutually beneficial relationships. Kareem’sGYLACoachisMartyFleischmann,MastersTeamVentures
OMERSHOAIB
BrookwoodHighSchool,GwinnettCounty|Classof2027
Omer Shoaib believes leadership should be practical, purposeful, and rooted in service. If something in his community can be improved, he wants to be the one who steps up to fix it. That’s why he co-founded EZ Bin Cleaning, a youth-led sanitation business that began as a small neighborhood project and grew into a service supporting over 60 recurring clients across Gwinnett County. The
business has generated over $2,000 in revenue and provided free cleanings to elderly and lowincome residents. In 2025, Omer founded CivicLink Georgia to close the gap between students and local decision-makers by using research, technology, and youth-led dialogue to address real community issues, allowing youth to analyze problems, develop data-backed policy proposals, and present solutions directly to community leaders. Student participants have logged over 120 research and community engagement hours, produced three student-led impact reports focused on community issues, and attended two youth-to-official roundtables. As a Youth Commissioner with the Gwinnett Youth Commission, he represents student voices and collaborates with local officials on education and community service initiatives. He credits 21st Century Leaders for shaping his growth, participating in the EarthCare and SYLI summer institutes where he developed his passion for sustainable leadership and ethical business He leads with the belief that real change starts when someone decides to take initiative. Omer’sGYLACoachisJuanMejia,JCMVentures
KUNYUANZOU
Kunyuan "Eric" Zou is an environmental advocate and social entrepreneur who views leadership as the responsibility to ensure no one is left behind in the face of progress. As Vice President of the Georgia Youth Environmental Coalition (GYEC), Eric spearheaded the Heat Resilience Packet Initiative, a student-led project to
protect families in underserved Atlanta neighborhoods from extreme weather. He secured a $5,000 grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies Atlanta Youth Climate Action Fund and collaborated with Emory University’s Professor Eri Saikawa to develop and distribute over 500 heat-prevention kits containing multilingual safety guides and cooling supplies Driven by the belief that service is most impactful when it is scalable and shared, Eric also founded CrayonCollection101. Since 2020, this initiative has recycled over 380,000 crayons into 16,500 crayon packets for children’s hospitals nationwide, including facilities in Atlanta, Augusta, and Macon. His efforts earned him the title of Ambassador of The Crayon Initiative (TCI), and he has personally mentored 15 diverse student leaders to ensure the organization’s long-term sustainability. Eric’s commitment to community welfare is further reflected in over 1,000 volunteer hours served, ranging from tutoring ESL students to managing global marketing for the Youth Economics Initiative He plans to study Industrial Engineering or Environmental Engineering in college with a goal to design large-scale systems that reduce waste, improve efficiency, and make sustainability practical for industries and communities alike.
Kunyuan’sGYLACoachisChandraFarley,CityofAtlanta,Mayor'sOfficeofSustainability&Resilience
INCLUSION
presentedby:
KEAUNAHOLLOWAY
21stCenturyLeaders’ BoardofDirectors
KendrickHighSchool,MuscogeeCounty|Classof2027
Keauna Holloway is a beacon of leadership and community spirit. As the Vice President of the Art Club, she increased membership by 40% and organized art exhibitions to showcase student talents to over 300 attendees As Secretary of her school’s 21CLub, Keauna inspired a 30% increase in student engagement in leadership
activities by coordinating leadership workshops and community service projects and initiating a mentorship program that paired 50 students with local professionals. She also supported an autism sensory field day hosted by the 21CLub. Pairing storytelling and advocacy in the Film and Video Club, she led a project team to produce a short film addressing social issues that earned recognition at a regional film festival. Additionally, as a participant in the Academy of Communication, Art, and Design (ACAD) Magnet Program, Keauna has excelled academically while collaborating on interdisciplinary projects that integrate art and technology. Her volunteerism with Hope Harbor Alliance for Battered Women, the Piedmont Columbus Regional John B. Amos Cancer Center ’s Spread the Love Campaign, Samaritan’s Purse, student suicide awareness, and peer vaping awareness campaigns has provided service, education, and support to multiple generations of community members Keauna is not only a leader but a catalyst for change, fostering opportunity and empowerment for her peers and community. Keauna’sGYLACoachisLanitaLucas,Aflac
MAMIMASOKA
HowardHighSchool,BibbCounty|Classof2027
Mami Masoka is a civic leader and community organizer whose commitment to advocacy is shaped by her early life in the Nyarugusu Refugee Camp in Tanzania, where she was born to a Congolese family Growing up with limited resources and little personal agency taught her the importance of dignity, voice, and
community action As the leader of the Macon Chapter of the Georgia Youth Justice Coalition (GYJC), she organizes youth around civic engagement. During the 2024 election cycle, she completed over 50 hours of nonpartisan canvassing and phone banking, knocked on more than 300 doors across Macon and Atlanta, recruited and trained six student volunteers, and represented GYJC at Mercer University to engage students in conversations about advocacy and civic responsibility. Mami is a 21CL Youth Ambassador and Vice President of Student Affairs for her school’s Model UN program, helping plan conferences and support students in developing public speaking and diplomacy skills. Her commitment to inclusion and structure ensures that every student feels supported She tutors ESOL students at Howard Middle School, helping students overcome language barriers she once faced herself; she’s seen three students exit the ESOL program and 22 students improve academically. Mami aspires to pursue international human rights law and advocate for displaced communities around the world.
Mami’sGYLACoachisMaryWalker,Invesco
LEVIMCCOY
DavidsonFineArtsMagnetSchool,RichmondCounty|Classof2026
Levi McCoy is a community health advocate, youth mentor, and aspiring physician focused on prevention and health equity. He founded Borderline Blue, an initiative creating safe, affirming spaces for over 50 neurodivergent teens to build confidence, community, and self-expression. Under this initiative, he launched Healthy Smiles, Healthy Hearts, teaching over 200 children in rural and urban areas how oral health can indicate
cardiovascular risk, translating scientific research into accessible lessons for youth in underserved communities. His work is rooted in research and education. He conducted a literature review titled “Bridging Oral Health Gaps: Literature Review on Pediatric Preventive Dental Care in Underserved Areas,” which is being presented at the Southeastern Dental Research Symposium and published through the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University His work explores how early dental screenings can predict cardiovascular outcomes and how to make this knowledge accessible to communities in need. Beyond research, Levi mentors peers in health, science, and self‐advocacy. He plans to major in Public Health and pursue cardiology, aiming to advance early‐intervention strategies and promote equitable care for overlooked communities.
Levi’sGYLACoachisDr BrandonMorgan,IconicOrthodontics(21CLAlumnus)
DOMINICMIMBANG
Dominic Mimbang is a humanitarian-focused policy advocate whose work advances inclusion through education, advocacy, and language equity. Inspired by his own experience navigating a new language and social system as an immigrant, he founded Knowledge Empowers, a youth-led initiative to support underrepresented students often excluded from civic and
CoffeeHighSchool,CoffeeCounty|Classof2026 academic systems. He served over 500 students in his rural Georgia community with civic literacy workshops, leadership programs, and community events. Dominic serves as National Education Team Lead for Work2BeWell, developing inclusive mental health curricula and mental health policy that has directly reached over 61,000 students across 32 states, 3 countries, and over 105 chapters. As a High School Board Member for Active Minds, he has reached over 100,000 students with mental health campaigns. As the first delegate from Georgia to be elected as President Pro Tempore of American Legion Boys Nation, he presides over a Senate of 100 delegates. He helped write a bill advocating for English Language Learners and co-wrote a Student Mental Health Days Bill that has officially been introduced in the Georgia Senate as Senate Bill 490: the Georgia Student Mental Health Days Act. As National Secretary's Executive Council (NSEC) National Programs Director for FBLA, he supports programming for 200,000+ members, and as Junior Mayor Pro Tempore for the City of Douglas he manages a $20,000 youth budget while supporting 15+ youth-focused resolutions. Dominic is also a Bill of Rights Institute Student Fellow and holds officer positions in four school-based organizations. Additionally, Dominic co-led the Baka Clothing Initiative alongside his mother, collecting and distributing thousands of articles of clothing to displaced Indigenous Baka communities in Cameroon He has been recognized as a Princeton Prize in Race Relations Accomplishment Honoree and a 2026 Coca-Cola Scholar.
Dominic’sGYLACoachisMattWestmoreland,AtlantaCityCouncil
MARLEIGHROBINSON
WestlakeHighSchool,FultonCounty| Classof2027
Marleigh Robinson is committed to leadership, service, and community impact As a second-year varsity captain of her school’s golf team and a dedicated golfer for nine years, Marleigh recognized the lack of representation for girls of color in the sport as she began competing. Seeing both the gap and the interest, she founded Girls on Green, a golf initiative designed to help girls in
her community build confidence, learn the fundamentals of the game, and access the broader opportunities golf provides. Her goal extends beyond introducing females of color to the sport—she wanted participants to experience the confidence, patience, friendships, and future opportunities that golf can create. Through her inaugural clinic, seven girls ages 14–17 from the South Fulton community joined her school’s golf team and entered competitive play. She saw the impact extend to individuals beyond those initial participants. Inspired by the visibility of Westlake’s team, other young golfers began building connections across schools, fostering friendships and mutual encouragement even as competitors. One clinic participant later won the Ludacris Foundation Drive, Putt, and Chip Rising Stars competition, demonstrating the lasting influence of Marleigh’s efforts. While the clinic directly served seven girls, Girls on Green ultimately reached a broader community creating a space where girls could feel seen, supported, and empowered within the sport of golf. Beyond golf, Marleigh is a Magnet and IB student on the engin i h d DECA Vice President of Marketing Marleigh’sGYLACoachisMaranieBrown,BlackRock(21CLBoardofD
SAMADHISALGADO
EmanuelCountyInstitute,EmanuelCounty|Classof2026
Samadhi Salgado is a compassionate environmentalist and nonprofit founder dedicated to empowering others through service, sustainability, and inclusive leadership. In 2024, Samadhi founded Fidget Fingers, a nonprofit organization that provides sensory materials to individuals with cognitive disabilities while promoting environmental sustainability Samadhi was inspired to
create this project because she was concerned with the vast amount of global waste and the limited amount of engaging items for people with cognitive challenges, ADHD, and more. Through Fidget Fingers, she worked with her fellow Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) and members of her 21CLub to organize donation drives and fundraisers that collected over 430 clothing items and raised over $600, allowing them to create and donate more than 35 fidget mats made from recycled materials. These fidgets have helped over 350 people enhance fine motor skills, improve focus, and boost cognitive processing. This initiative has also promoted recycling to over 1,000 people Samadhi volunteers with Weekend Blessings, an organization dedicated to fighting childhood hunger, and has provided food for over 2,756 students in need, ensuring they have meals for the weekend. As president of the Emanuel County Institute (ECI) Student Council and the 21CLub, she advocates for the voices of over 500 students, encourages leadership development through community forums and connection to career resources, and has organized a student mentorship program pairing 25 students with younger ones to help them build confidence and leadership skills. These experiences have strengthened her belief that true leadership means putting others before oneself and making an impact, no matter how small the act. After high school, she plans to attend Georgia Institute of Technology and major in Civil Engineering.
Samadhi’sGYLACoachisTiffanyReed,PurposePossible
FORWARD THINKING
REESEDAVIS
PickensHighSchool,PickensCounty|Classof2026 presentedby:
Reese Davis is a driven and compassionate leader whose influence resonates throughout her school and community. Recognizing the limited resources in her rural community, she founded WISE Minds (Women in STEM and Education) to ensure that neither geography nor background would prevent
girls from pursuing technical fields. She recruited four bilingual peers representing diverse scientific fields to help expand access and representation, dedicating over 100 hours to specialized training and certifications (such as Project WET and a 4-H Wildlife Ambassador). WISE Minds has reached more than 25,000 people through live demonstrations, television appearances, digital media, 500 community event engagements, and 75 classroom lessons. In a county where all schools qualify as Title I, WISE Minds serves as a catalyst for change bridging gaps in science education, promoting inclusion, and empowering underrepresented voices. In addition, after volunteering with the Blind Sports Association and a camp for the visually impaired, Reese learned that simple vision screenings could prevent some serious eye conditions. By partnering with school officials and community members, she was able to conduct vision screenings for every student in Pickens County Schools. Over the past six years, she has built a legacy of service through key leadership roles, including Miss PHS, President of 4-H, Captain of the PHS Soccer Team, President of the Pickens County 21CLub, and GA Tech’s STEM Gems. Grounded in empathy and the belief in the power of “WE,” Reese leads through bold, inclusive action that creates lasting impact for the future.
Reese’sGYLACoachisAssiVanBastelaaar,Atlassian
UTSHAHOGUPTA
AtlantaInternationalSchool,FultonCounty|Classof2027
Utshaho Bandyopadhyay Gupta is a forward-thinking STEM innovator who has earned more than $9,000 in competitive grants over the years to support his initiatives. He spent three years developing affordable AI-powered smart glasses to help visually impaired people in daily life. He interviewed educators and students at schools for blind children, tested
multiple hardware configurations, and iterated through numerous prototypes to improve usability, affordability, and functionality. His work earned first place in Georgia’s 6th Congressional District in the Congressional App Challenge. His current prototype, built for $150 in hardware costs, operates offline to maximize accessibility and can recognize objects, faces, and text using computer vision and Edge AI processing In 2025, Utshaho co-led a blessing bag drive for Atlanta Mission, raising $1,500, working with over 250 students, and packing over 330 bags with essential items and winter clothing for unhoused people in Atlanta, plus cards of welcome and solidarity for refugees new to the area. He is Engineering Captain of his FIRST Robotics team, co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of his school newspaper, a senior leader in Model UN and yearly MUN conference with 200 delegates, and a third-degree black belt in Taekwondo. He also mentors students in his school’s and the middle school’s robotics, track and field, and MUN teams. Through 21st Century Leaders, he continues to grow as a leader committed to creating measurable, lasting impact Utshaho’sGYLACoachisDr.AdrianeRandolph,KennesawStateUniversity
AADISHAH
InnovationAcademy,FultonCounty|Classof2026
Aadi Shah is a STEM researcher, civic advocate, and servant leader. As Microplastic Policy Director of the Ripple Reform civic initiative, he led educational workshops for over 150 students in K–8th grade and authored a 32-page policy proposal presented to Alpharetta and Johns Creek City Councils; the campaign culminated in ongoing policy work and a public mural at Johns Creek City Hall made from over 1,000 bottle caps. As a researcher, Aadi placed in the top third for Georgia at Future Health Professionals (HOSA) for his study on the effects of societal pressures on Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) adolescents’ mental health; at Georgetown University he co-authored a neuroethical paper on policy suggestions for Focused Ultrasound Stimulation to reduce recidivism. He is a Governor’s Honors Program (Biology) alumnus, a semifinalist in the International Neuroscience and Research Olympiads, and a Georgia state champion in HOSA Biomedical Debate As a three-time Youth Ambassador for 21st Century Leaders, he helped lead statewide summits and initiated the organization’s inaugural pickleball fundraiser, raising over $6,500. In school, he founded the Professional Skills & Networking Club (one of the largest non-chapter clubs serving 100+ students), co-founded a 501(c)(3) youth nonprofit with 250+ members across 25 countries, and serves as a Healthcare Pathway Leader, creating a sense of community among more than 800 students. Through his volunteer work with Learn To Be, Meals by Grace, Ahimsa End Gun Violence, and All for One, he has earned the Gold Presidential Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) for over 515 hours of service Across all of these experiences, Aadi is motivated by leaving behind a legacy of change in his communities Aadi’sGYLACoachisPranavDhingra,Equifax(21CLBoardofDirectors)
LEILANIESINGLETON
Woodville-TompkinsHighSchool,ChathamCounty|Classof2027
Leilanie Singleton is a forward-thinking servant leader and youth mental health advocate dedicated to civic engagement and service. Inspired early by the Horizons program, she has grown into a confident leader through years of community involvement. Her passion project, Wolverine Transition Program Helping Students
(W.T.H.S.), mentors incoming freshmen. She spent 6 months planning and developing this mentorship program, recruiting juniors and school counselors to serve and facilitate meet and greets and recruitment events at middle schools, and to garner in-kind support. She has served on the Chatham County Youth Commission and currently holds a leadership role on its executive board. Through programs like Summer Bonanza Partnership, Inc. and mentorship from Delta G.E.M.S., she developed her passion for advocacy, public speaking, and service Her mental health work includes training with the Mediation Center of Savannah and serving as a Youth Council Ambassador with Silence the Shame, Inc., where she helped lead a $50,000 fundraising campaign. In elementary school, she developed virtual programs for 3 years during quarantine summer months, reaching 100 students annually age 7-15. Leilanie serves as a Positive Peer Influencer and Medical Explorer, volunteers at Memorial University Medical Center where she was donned with a white coat, and supports her school’s women’s basketball team. She encourages others to embrace leadership, reminding them that even small actions can create meaningful change. Leilanie’sGYLACoachisDr PaulaLett,Wellstar
MYKELSMITH
MyKel Smith is a youth advocate, STEM innovator, and emerging leader committed to empowering his peers through mentorship, service, and civic engagement. As Director of Community and Youth Engagement for {Daily}, his strategic outreach initiatives increased youth participation by 100%. With activations,
TheB E S T Academy,FultonCounty|Classof2026 campaigns to highlight the slogan “What is Your Daily?” and outreach strategies for brandaffiliated athletes, he strengthens connections between the brand, the athletes, and the community. Through Project ENGAGES at GA Tech, Mykel designed a multi-layer slot-die head that decreases the time, space, and money required to produce film coating for electronic devices by 50%, which allows companies to provide solar panels, electronic devices, and thinfilm batteries at lower prices. As Captain of the E-Sports and Drone Team, he helped recruit players and resources for his school’s e-sports team to appear in its first ever playoff. His volunteer work includes serving with the Atlanta Police Foundation’s @Promise Center in youth diversion programs and community engagement initiatives such as the Fulton County Accountability Court, as a Ambassador at Atlanta College and Career Academy (ACCA), and as a supporter of the Anson County, North Carolina’s Mrs. Priscilla Little Campaign. Extending his service to the world, he volunteered with Operation Smile to provide free healthcare services to individuals born with cleft palate and in Panama and El Salvador through Best Boys Go Global, supporting programming focused on leadership development, cultural awareness, and personal growth for young men in the community. Mykel is driven by a commitment to service, representation, and collective progress. He plans to pursue studies that will allow him to continue making a meaningful impact on his community and beyond MyKel’sGYLACoachisMallomLiggon,WarnerBros.Discovery(21CLBoardofDirectors)
HELP US REACH OUR GOAL OF A $1,000,000
We are dedicated to preserving our legacy and offering valuable programs for the next generation and beyond!
This fund has the power to support the following each year
Fullyfundaone-week Summer LeadershipInstitute Enroll500morestudentsinto LeadershipConnect
Provide 20 seniors with college scholarships
ALUMNIKEYNOTESPEAKER
AmyPhuong SVP, Government Relations at Atlanta Hawks
& State Farm Arena 21CL Alumna ‘01
“21CLtaughtmeconfidencethatmyvoiceandleadershipstylewas valuable,andtheprogramcultivatedmyspeakingskillstogainthat seatatthetable.Mostimportantly,theprogramallowedmeto reflectonwhatkindofpersonandleaderIwantedtobecome‘when Igrewup’andnudgedmealongthatpaththathasbeeninvaluable today.”
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$100supportsone studentwithfreeaccesstoLeadershipConnect! Scantoviewthelive auctionitems! Get your "paddle" ready for our exciting live auction items up for grabs!
