2023 Georgia Youth Leadership Awards

WELCOME!

Thank you for joining 21st Century Leaders' annual Georgia Youth Leadership Awards, presented by Warner Bros. Discovery. Thank you for supporting,celebrating,andinvestinginyouth leadership development and specifically, 21st CenturyLeaders.

Since1989,21stCenturyLeadershasbeenbreakingbarriersforyoung peoplefromacrossthestateofGeorgiaandbeyondandinspiringthem tobecomeleaders.Tonight,our21studentawardeesareshowcasing thatleadershiphasnoage,gender,orracerequirement.Insteadthey're provingthatopportunitiesandthebeliefthattheyhavethepotential matter.Throughthesupportoftonight'ssponsors,wewillbe providing$11,000instudentgrantstotheawardees,andthrough everyone'scontributionyouwillbeopeningdoorsandshattering ceilingsformorethan1,600highschoolstudentsthisyear.Plus,with yourhelptonight,wehavethepowertoprovide$25,000incollege scholarshipstotenofourgraduatingseniors,alongwithapaid summerinternship.Iwanttothankeachandeveryoneofyoubecause everydollarandeveryactioncounts.

Now,let'scelebrate!

KateHewitt,ExecutiveDirector,21stCenturyLeaders(21CL)

OUR MISSION

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 schools, communities, and ultimately the workforce.

www.21stcenturyleaders.org

6:00 p.m.

Georgia Youth Georgia Youth Leadership Awards Leadership Awards

Doors Open - Registration, Cocktails, Silent Auction, Golden Ticket, Wine and Spirits Wall, Passed Hors D'oeuvres

7:00 p.m.

Welcome + Dinner

DeRetta Cole Rhodes, Ph.D., 21CL Board Chair, Atlanta Braves

Joon Kwon, Northview H.S., 21CL Student and '22 Awardee

7:45 p.m.

Introduction

Mari Sifo, 21CL Board, GYLA Co-Chair, Host Hotels & Resorts

Okema Jackson, 21CL Board, GYLA Co-Chair

Georgia Youth Leadership Awards

Service Oriented Category

Resourcefulness Category

Forward-Thinking Category

Leverages Diversity Category

Breaking Barriers

Kalin Tate, 21CL Alumna, Junior Board, NFL

Presenting Sponsor: Warner Bros. Discovery Student

Leadership Award

Betsy Holland, Warner Bros. Discovery

Closing Remarks

Kate Hewitt, Executive Director, 21st Century Leaders

DINNER MENU

Hors d'oeuvres: Goat cheese phyllo triangles + Southern tomato jam; Petite crab cake + mango relish; Charred beef satay + Thai basil emulsion; Cheese display

Salad: Classic Caesar with chopped romaine hearts, shaved parmesan, garlic croutons + Classic Caesar dressing

Entrée: JC's Chicken Marsala + Seasonal herb roasted vegetable medley + Truffle mashed potatoes

Vegetarian Entrée: Three Cheese Tortellini in cream sauce + Seasonal herb roasted vegetable medley + Grilled asparagus

Dessert: Tiramisu with gold glitter + Strawberry shortcake trifle

Takeaway Treat: 21CL Custom Oreos

theirfirsttimeinteractingwithpeersoutsideoftheirgeographic

Our 21 Georgia Youth Leadership Award winners are all members of 21st Century Leaders who are making a positive impact through their leadership in action, represent the diversity of our state-wide student body and demonstrate our five leadership qualities:

FORWARD-THINKING SERVICE ORIENTED PASSIONATE RESOURCEFUL LEVERAGES DIVERSITY

We are proud of our 21st Century Leaders!

21st Century Leaders' programs are not possible without the support of our volunteers! Thank you to our leadership teams, coaches, business professionals and alumni for serving our students.

EventCo-Chairs+BoardMembers EventCo-Chairs+BoardMembers

OkemaJackson+MariSifo OkemaJackson+MariSifo

Auction Committee: BridgetGorta-Chair,CristyJones,BrandonOna,andPeytonCallanan, 21CLJuniorBoard

GYLA Coaches: MaranieBrown,GregClay (21CL Alumnus),WhitneyDealMarshall,Chandra Farley,DavidFelfoldi,MartyFleischmann,MattJohnson,Dr.JyotiSharma (21CL Alumna), Dr.Alicia Shelly,MariSifo,TamikaStokesGoins,AntrellTyson,RyanWoods,DeAndreWynn,AnqiZou

Selection Committee: GYLACoachesplusLaSandraBoykin,ImaniHolmes,JeanetteMcWilliams, ChiNguyen,IlaPrabhuram,ChrisReynolds,TrentonSpindler,J'AvaniStinson

LeveragesDiversity

PRANITA AKELLA

Lakeside High School, Class of 2024

Pranita Akella is a driven volunteer and advocate for women’shealthandteenleadership.Recently,Pranitahelped organizethefirstTEDxYouthEvent,inEvans,Georgia. Pranitaalsolaunchedherschool’sfirstchapterofFBLA whereshehaslednumerousserviceinitiativeswhilealso competing in and placing first in her region for an Introduction to Social Media Strategy Presentation Competition.ShewasrecentlyelectedasRegion

RepresentativeforGeorgiaHOSA,anorganizationforfuturehealthprofessionals;in thisrole,sheadvocatesforover15,000studentmembersfromallacrossGeorgia.As secretaryofherlocalHOSAchapter,shehasservedhercommunitythroughvarious projectsanddrives.PranitaisamemberofseveralorganizationsincludingNational HonorSociety,ScienceNationalHonorSociety,ScienceOlympiad,AsianAmerican StudentAssociation,andtheHinduTempleSocietyofAugustaYouthGroup.Ontop ofallthat,PranitahasbeenperformingKuchipudi,aformofIndianclassicaldancefor 10yearsnowtohelpherlearnmoreabouthercultureandstayconnectedtoherroots inIndia.ShehaswonaNationalAwardinKuchipudifromtheNorthDelhiCultural AcademyinIndia.Pranitaisalreadybreakingbarriersbybeingontracktograduate highschoolafullyearearlyin2024asajunior.

Raveena Alli isanadvocateforsocialjusticeandequity. Raveenaco-leadstheCommunityServiceclubather schoolwheresheledtheclub’sfirstandsecondPeriod ProjectdonationdrivesalignedwiththeInternational Day of the Girl; alleviating period poverty with a donationofover300boxesoffemininehygieneproducts

LeveragesDiversity

toAtlantaGlowandMySister’sHouse.Raveenahasalsoledfooddrivestocollectover 250poundsoffood,supplydrivestodonate200carepackagestoalocalhomeless shelter,andTrunkorTreatprojectsatAtlantaMission.Raveenaisalsoactiveather school’sCommitteeforSocialJusticeandEquity,theGlobalImmersionClub,andthe ModelUNteam,allwhileworkingapart-timejobwiththePartnershipforSouthern Equity(PSE)ontheiryouthstaffteam,wheresheandherteamworkonprojectsand researchthatadvanceracialequityandsharedprosperity.Raveenaisalsoacompetitive rockclimber,breakingbarriersinthatfield,placing3rdinthe2022International FederationofSportClimbing(IFSC)ParaclimbingWorldCupasamemberofTeam USA.RaveenawasrecentlyhonoredasoneofAtlantaIntown’s20under20students in2022.Inthefuture,sheplanstopursueHumanRightsLawandPublicPolicy.

RAVEENA ALLI

Atlanta Girls' School, Class of 2024

LeveragesDiversity

STERLING CHO

The Walker School, Class of 2024

Sterling Cho is an advocate and supporter locally and globally. Sterling says attending 21st Century Leaders’ EarthCareprograminsummer2022impactedhiminaway thatmadehimrealizethathecanmakesmallchangesinhis community, not through force, but through a positive attitude.Fromtherehestartedperformingweeklysilent demonstrationsfortheUkraineWar;helpedorganizea fundraiseranddonatedtoENGin,anon-profitorganization

whereheteachesEnglishforfreetostudentsinUkraine;andbecameco-presidentof theAsianCultureClubtotakeactionforAsianAmericanandPacificIslanders(AAPI) representation.Healsoleverageshiscreativeabilitiesinartandmusictoraise awarenessaboutenvironmentalissuessuchasclimatechangeandsocialissuessuchas theUkraineWar,forwhichhecreatedaKPOPsong;hisworkshavebeenrecognized withSilverKeyawardsintheScholasticArt&WritingAwards.Hismultilingual talentallowshimtounderstandpeoplewithdiverseracialandculturalbackgrounds, andheisintheprocessoforganizingaspecialassemblytohostaguestspeakeratThe WalkerSchoolduringAAPImonthinMay2023tofurtherpromotediversityand inclusion.Sterlingisco-presidentoftheAsianCultureClubandservesasamemberof theEnvironmentalClub,MathTeam,ENGinClub,NationalHonorSociety,and VarsityWrestling.

YIREH Fonesca-Gopar

Forest Park High School, Class of 2025

Yireh Fonesca-Gopar isacreativeservantleader.Asa first generation American with English as a second language,Yirehisdeterminedtobreakbarriersforhis family, becoming the first in his family to have the opportunitytonotonlypursueahighschooleducation buttoalsograduate.

Evenasanunderclassman,Yirehis leadinghisschool’sfirstSTEM+21CLub,21stCentury

Resourcefulness

Leaders’schoolbasedprograminpartnershipwithScienceATLfocusedonSTEMand leadership.Holdingoneofthefirstofficerpositions,Yirehleadswithpositivityand enthusiasmwherehehashelpedrecruitmembers,organizedahomelesskitdrive creatingover200homelesskitsforthecommunity,andcreatedalloftheclub's marketingmaterialsofflyersandvideos.Inaddition,Yirehproducesandeditsvideos forschooleventsandprojectsandisontheboy'sVarsitytennisteam.Inthefuture, Yirehplanstocontinuetotakethenecessarystepstomakehisdreamsarealityand pursuehispassionoffilmbyusingthe$500grantfromthisawardtobuya“really nice”camera.

Serviceoriented

JUlius "hunnter" goins

Druid Hills High School, Class of 2023

Julius "Hunnter" Goins isachampionforchangeandan avidcommunityvolunteer,loggingover2,750servicehours. Hunnter’senthusiasticvolunteerisminvolveshelpingtoend the global crisis of violence against women and girls, donating food and clothing to shelters, and promoting awarenessforcommunityhealthchallenges.He’spartnered withnumerousdomesticviolenceorganizations,including

TheSwinneyFoundationwherehewasaguestspeakerfortheirannualWalkaMile inHerShoes-DomesticViolenceAwarenessInitiative.Hunnterhasimpactedmore than 600 people and counting throughout his continued advocacy of violence prevention.Hispassionforhelpingotherscentersaroundhisfuturecareergoalsinthe medicalfield,toultimatelylaunchahealthcarefacilitytoservethedisadvantaged population.HealsoservesasastudentadvisorfortheDeKalbCountyBoardofHealth, PresidentoftheDecaturKappaLeagueandtheSGA,andaM.A.R.K.E.Youth MinistryleaderfortheGreaterPineyGroveBaptistChurch.Hunnterisarecognized leaderearningseveralawardsandscholarshipincluding:honoreeofTheYOUAwards International–2023,EasternProvinceKappaAlphaPsi-2022StudentoftheYear Award,EastLakeYouthInitiativeA.P.Torrence-2021StudentoftheYearAward, Heprideshimselfonbeinghonorable,respectful,driventosucceed,anda21st CenturyLeaderwhovaluesdiversityandequality.

SHREYas Gupta

Wheeler High School, Class of 2023

Shreyas Gupta isadedicatedadvocateandthefounderof theTheFabric,Food,andFulfillmentFoundation(4F),a clubwhoseaimistoassistthoseinneedbyprovidingthem withhigh-qualityattire.ThroughapartnershipwithMust Ministries,Shreyasandhispeers,whomherecruitedand taughthowtoknit,havespent200hoursknittingtomake over60articlesofapparelthatweredeliveredtothosein

Resourcefulness

need.Theconceptionof4FstartedwhenhisGrandmamovedintotheirhomefrom India,bringingwithheratraditionofknitting.Itwasfromthosehoursoflearning andtalkingwithhisgrandmathatmotivatedhimtostart4F.Shreyas'desiretohelp othersisalsoseeninhisworkasaCareAssistantatWellstar,volunteeratAmerican RedCross,anauthorfortheYouthMedicalJournal,aYouthAdvocateontheCobb CountyYouthCommission,andinhisresearchduringaninternshipatGeorgia ChiropracticNeurology,wherehisresultsinformedanewrehabregimentodecrease concussionsusceptibilityforpreviouslyconcussedpatients.Heisalsoworkingona HighDemandTeacherInitiative(HDTI)tocreatemoreopportunitiesinSTEAM educationandaccessbyadvocatingforascholarshiptosupportMasterofArtsin Teachingcandidatesinhiscounty,aslessthan4%ofschoolsinGeorgiaareSTEAM Certified.Heplanstoexpandthereachof4Fbypartneringwiththelocalnon-profit, Food4Lives,andhavingstudentsgrowproduceforthecharitablefoodpantry.

Forward-thinking

Benjamin harper

Charles R. Drew Charter School, Class of 2023

Benjamin Harper isaservantleaderwhoispassionate about economics and building generational wealth of African Americans. Benjamin is the founder of an organizationcalled“GiftsofLove,”createdafterlearning thattheRwandangovernmenthadabanonthesaleofused clothing(tosupportsmallbusinessgrowth),leavingchildren inorphanageswithoutnecessaryclothing.Partneringwitha Rwandancommunityadvocate,GiftsofLovehasshipped

over150poundsofusedclothing,toiletries,andbookstotwoorphanages.Healso raisedfundsfor"Kosmotive,"aRwandanwomen-ownedbusinessthatmakesecofriendlyreusablepadsandmenstrualkits,providingfornearly50girlstoreceive menstrualsuppliesthatwilllastforover2years.Benjamin'sworkhasimpactedover100 girlsandchildrenwithplanstoexpandthatimpactbyworkingwithhissisterto providefemininehygieneproductstothoseinneedinthecountryofKenya.Benjamin alsoservesasVPofthestudentbodyatDrewCharterandisavarsitymemberofthe staterankedgolfteam.Healsoservedas2022JackandJillofAmerica,Inc.Southeastern RegionalTeenParliamentarianleadingover2,000teensandwasrecognizedasthe2022 SE Regional Outstanding Teen of the Year. With numerous other awards and accolades,includingbeingselectedforthe“MorganStanleyJumpStartinFinance” program,Benjamin’sultimategoalistobecomeaninvestmentbankertoadvocatefor betterfinancialpoliciesthatwillincreaseminimumwagesandsalaries,supporthome ownershipandinvestments,andendeconomicinequitiestoaidBlackpeopleincreating generationalwealth.BenjaminplanstoattendMorehouseCollegeinthefallandmajor inEconomicswithaminorinAfricanAmericanstudies.

lilian huynh

Jonesboro High School, Class of 2023

Lilian Huynh isafirst-generationcollege-boundstudent, adedicatedservantleader,andanavidvolunteerwithinher community.Sheisanaward-winningwriterwhohasbeen recognizedbybothhercountyandthestateduringLunar New Year Cultural Festivals, and she also regularly volunteersatherlocaltemple,ChuaTrucLam,asadancer, drummer,andyouthmentor.SheservesasChairpersonfor

Forward-thinking

theClaytonCountyYouthCommission,ayouth-ledcouncilthatworksdirectlywith theBoardofCommissionersandtheOfficeofYouthServices.Withinhertime,the commissionhasvolunteeredover500combinedservicehoursthroughseveraloutreach projectsthathavereachedhundredsofkidsandteenswithinthecounty,including hostingcollegefairs,governmentrightsinfosessions,voteradvocacywork,andeven life-scenarioseminarsforteensandyoungadults.LilianfoundedachapterforScience ATL’sChiefScienceOfficersInternational(CSO),andservesasCommitteeLeaderfor theClaytonCountyBoardofEducationCouncil,amentor,editorforStemXYZand TheScienceBehind,andasavolunteerforUnityHealthClinicinMorrow,GA.Lilian wasacceptedtoandplanstoattendtheUniversityofGeorgiainFall2023.

forward-thinking

Akhil Kalva

Chattahoochee High School, Class of 2024

Akhil Kalva isthefounderoftheFinancialLiteracyClub andofthenonprofitBuddyPackagesLLC.Throughhis 501c3nonprofit,BuddyPackagesLLC,Akhilcreatesonedaybagsforkidsinthefostersystemtomakethetransition alittleeasieronthem,donatingover150bags(including pajamas, toiletries, and undergarments), raising over $2,000,andspendingover200hoursonthisinitiative. Sincemanyofthekidsswitchhousesduetonumerous

circumstances,theymaynothavethebasicamenitiesfortheirfirstdayattheirnew location.HeworkswiththeDept.ofChildServicestoensurethebagsarebeingused effectivelyandusesfeedbackfromfosterkidsonwhattoinclude.Akhil’sFinancial LiteracyClubeducateshispeersaboutbasiceconomicvaluesandcreatesinteractive presentationsandpromotesvoicesintheclassroomwithbi-weeklymeetingsfor around15students.Heispassionateabouthelpingothers,withafocusonservice: tutoringpeopleinhisschoolandcommunity,aidingthevisuallyimpairedwith readingandconvertingbooks,andhelpingoutathislocallibrarybyshelvingbooks andteachingtechnologytotheelderly.Akhilisapartofseveralschoolclubs,andhe hasreceivedaCongressionalSilverAward,meetingtherequirementsof200hoursof publicservice,100hoursofpersonaldevelopment,and100hoursofphysicalfitnessin ayear.Inthefuture,Akhilhopestobecomeaneurologistandhelppeoplewith neurodegenerativediseases.

Payton key Cambridge High School, Class of 2023

Payton Key isanenvironmentaladvocate,becomingthe firsteverHighSchoolAmbassadorfortheChattahoochee National Park Conservancy, a role created for her. Growingup,Paytonmovedalloverthecountry,butone thingthatremainedconstantwasherloveforthe

Resourcefulness

environment.Tohelpotherteensvolunteerandgetmoreinvolvedwiththeirlocal environment,shebuiltadatabaseof27schoolsand19volunteerorganizations,and ledtwotrailclean-upprojectswithatotalof60volunteers.Paytonisalsothefounder andpresidentofthe21CLubatCambridgeHSwhereshehasgrowntheclubto46 memberswith6officerswhohelpleadmonthlymeetingsandserviceprojects,suchas akindnessrockpaintingevent,makingValentine’sDaycardsforchildren’shospitals, andhostingafinancialliteracyforum.PaytonisthesecretaryforNationalArtHonor SocietyandNationalSpanishSocietyandaninternwiththeCityofMilton’sPublic WorksDepartmentandservesontheCityofMilton’sMayor’sYouthDesignTeam todevelopwaysforthecitytosupportitsyouth.Paytonplanstopursueadegreein EnvironmentalEngineeringandlateradegreeininternationallawtohelpcreate policiesforsustainableurbandevelopmentaroundtheworld.

ServiceOriented

Annie Lin

North Atlanta High School, Class of 2024

Annie Lin isanadvocateforenergyconservationanda leanenvironment.Sheisthefounderandpresidentof FirstStep,acommunityserviceteamthathasgrownto86 membersfrom36schoolsacrossthemetroAtlantaarea.In ustovertwoyears,sheledtheteamtoconductnearly100 erviceactivitiesandraise$7,000fornonprofits.Withthe

team’smembersspanningfromkindergartentohighschool,Anniehassetupa structuredmentorshipprogramthatencouragesallstudentstotakeinitiativeandlead projects.Inaddition,shelaunchedanenergyconservationcampaigncalled"One Degree"whichhasgottenover80businessesandindividualstocommittoadjusting theirthermostatbyonedegreeinordertosaveenergy.Inschool,Annieservesasthe AtlantaPublicSchoolsBrigadedistrictlevelS-1OfficeroftheUSArmyJunior ROTCprogramwiththerankofCadetMajor.Inaddition,sheisoneof33 Superintendent’sYoungAmbassadors,associateofMuAlphaTheta,themathhonor society,amathtutor,andviolinistfortheAtlantaPublicSchoolsHonorsOrchestra. Mostrecently,Annie’sresearchonyoungpeople’smentalhealth,incollaboration withUniversityofNorthGeorgia,resultedinapaperthatshepresentedatthe AnnualMeetingoftheGeorgiaAcademyofSciencein2023.Shecreditsher participationin21stCenturyLeaders’EarthCaresummerleadershipinstitutefor havingacriticalinfluenceonher.Sheplanstostudyenvironmentalscienceand psychologyincollege.

Tanvi Me

Lambert High School, Class of 2024

Tanvi Mehta isthefounderofLambertMindsMatt mental health and neuroscience-oriented club. constantlysawhowmanyofherfellowstudentsstrug withtheirmentalhealthinthecompetitivehighsc environment.Thisinspiredhertowanttomakea spaceinherschoolforherpeerstofindcomfortand

serviceoriented

engageinopendiscussion.Witharound30members,studentsmeetmonthlyand conductserviceprojects,includingcreatingandposting100encouragingnotes aroundtheschool.TanviisalsoanactivevolunteeratAntebellumSeniorLiving, workingwiththemembersandlearningaboutuniqueaspectsofneurologicalcare, andatNextGenerationFocus,whereshetutorsunderprivilegedstudentsafter schoolforfourhoursaweek.Tanviisalsocaptainofherschool'smocktrialteam, serviceprojectofficeratthe21CLubatLambertHS,worksasaninstructorat Mathnasium,andisalsoarecipientoftheprestigiousGoldPresidentialVolunteer ServiceAward.Tanviplanstopursueaneurosciencemajorincollegeonthepremedicalpathway.

leveragesdiversity

Ifunanya (Ify) Lani Obianwu

Pebblebrook High School, Class of 2023

Ify Obianwu isthefounderoftheBlackStudentUnionat herschoolandanadvocateforeducationandequity.After realizingthatthesethingsmaybelackinginunderserved areas,shedecidedtostarttheBlackStudentUnionather school to increase exposure and increase awareness in education. The Black Student Union meets monthly, holdingeventsandprojectstoincreasethestudent

experienceandawarenessofvariousculturesatherschool.Sheservedasafellowwith theLegislativeVictoryFund,workingover20hourstohelpgrassrootscampaign effortsinherareaandasafellowwithCovenantHouseGeorgia,helpingtoraise moneyforhomelessyouthofAtlanta.SheattendedandwontheHarvardSummer Residencydebatein2022andisapublishedwriterwithworkfeaturedintheWomen's Republiconlinemagazine.Ifyhasservedinvariousleadershippositions,includingthe CobbCountyChairoftheHighSchoolDemocratsofAmerica,thecommunications directorforHighSchoolDemocratsofAmericaBlackCaucus,captainofherhigh school’scrosscountryteam,andismajoringindramaatherschool.Ifysays21st CenturyLeaderssolidifiedherdesiretobealeaderinthecommunity;sheplansto attendPrincetonUniversityonafullscholarshipfromQuestBridgeinFall2023,where shecancultivateherloveofwritingandpoliticsandbecomeanattorney.

Wesleyan School, Class of 2023

Eva Rahman isadedicatedvolunteerandadvocatefor change.Asafirst-generationAmerican,Evaiscommitted to serving the refugee population and volunteers at InternationalRescueCommittee(IRC),acharitydevoted tohelpingrefugeesrebuildtheirlives.Afterworkingon the"ContributionsInKind"project,managingthe

forward-thinking

inventoryandseeingtheoverwhelmingneedfordonations,Evawasinspiredtoholda donationdriveatherschooltohelpreplenishtheIRCshelveswithnecessaryitems. She'sthepresidentofVaping-AttentiontoPrevention,anon-profitdedicatedto educatingandpreventingthefutureuseofe-cigarettesbyadolescents.Sheadvocated forpolicychangethroughtownhallsandcreatedpodcastsadvocatingforthelegalage forvapingtoberaisedto21yearsold,whichisnowthelawinGeorgia.Evahasalso beenamemberofSALSA(StudentsAdvocatingforLifewithoutSubstanceAbuse), whereshementoredyoungerstudentsaged7-14.EvaispresidentofDebateCluband VPofNationalArtHonorSociety.Sheinternsinherschool'sathletictrainingprogram asaSportsMedicineassistantAthleticTrainerandisacompetitiveswimmerwhereshe hasalsobeenayouthcoachforthelastfouryears.Evarecentlyvolunteeredforalocal representativerunningforoffice.

Eva Rahman

Resourcefulness

Reece Robinson

Westlake High School, Class of 2025

Reece Robinson ismakinghisstampontheworldof entertainmentas“DJReeceBoogie.”At15yearsoldhehas alreadytakenhiscareertoplacesbeyondimagination.From DJingtheAtlantaBravesWorldSeriesParadewithV103, to multiple festivals and parades, DJ Reece Boogie is breakingbarriersinthemusicindustry.Attheageof10,he beganhismusicaljourneybyexploringhistalentsasa

drummer.Sincethen,hehasalsogainedrespectasarenownedmusicproducerand engineer.Heengineersthepodcast“TheCommissioner’sConversations”andworks inmultipleteeneventsforhishighschool,FamilyDayfortheCollegePark SkyHawks,FirstDayFulton,andvariousotherevents.Reeceiscurrentlyadrummer intheWestlakeMarchingBand.AspartofTheMarchingLionshehasperformedin theMagicCityClassicParade,theCelebrationBowlandtheHBCUAll-StarBattle oftheBands.ReeceregularlyattendsthesummermusicacademyHowBigIsYour Dream(HBIYD),wherehehashadtheopportunitytobeapartofUNDER21The Band,amusicgroupthatperformsthroughoutthestateofGeorgiaandlearnshow themusicindustryworksbyworkingwithtouringprofessionals.Inthefuture,Reece wantstomajorinMarketingandMusicTechnologyincollegewherehe’llcontinue DJingandproducing.

Salter Sliger

Midtown High School, Class of 2023

Salter Sliger isaleaderandfounderofUltimateGood,an initiativethataimstoexpandaccesstothesportand resourcesofultimatefrisbee.HepartneredwiththeBoys andGirlsClubofAtlantaandlocalelementaryschoolsto teachthesportofUltimateFrisbeetotheirkids,withthe helpofhisvarsityteammatesservingasvolunteercoaches. Salterhasdedicatedover100hourstothisinitiative,which

hasgivenover150kidsexposuretothesport.He’salsotheChiefEditorandProducer ofhisschool'sshowKnightView,theprojectmanagerofhisschool's21CLubat Midtown,andtheCaptainofhisschool'svarsityultimatefrisbeeteam.Salterdoes additionalvolunteerworkwith130hoursattheGeorgiaAquariumanddozensmore hoursspentthroughdrivesandserviceinitiativesthroughthe21CLubatMidtown, includingspearheadingtheVoteforEquityinitiativewheretheyengaged600 studentsandfamiliesandregistered90studentstovote.Salterishonoredtohavebeen selectedforaGeorgiaYouthLeadershipAward,andheisexcitedtokeepleadingand servingthecommunityinthewayofa21stCenturyLeader.

Resourcefulness

Zoie Stevenson

North Atlanta High School, Class of 2024

Zoie Stevenson isanentrepreneurandownerofPretty PretzelsATL.OriginallyfromPittsburgh,PA,andraisedby heroldersister,ZoieisinvestinginherselfandinherAtlanta communitythroughherbusinessandservicetoothers.Asa studentattheAtlantaCollegeandCareerAcademy(ACCA), theknowledgeandskillsshelearnsaboutthehospitality industryhelpshermanageandgrowher

chocolatecoveredpretzelbusiness.Withapassionforgivingbacktothelessfortunate whomaynothaveahomeorsometimesworryabouttheirnextmeal,Zoiehasdone volunteerworkinthecommunitythroughherchurchandatdomesticabuseshelters. Inthefuture,Zoieplanstoexploreherentrepreneurialspiritthroughrealestateby completingtherealestateexamsbeforeturning18,withagoalofowningherown agency.Shealsoplanstoexpandherexperienceincosmetologyandtattooing/piercing intoshopstoprovidehair,lash,tattoos,andpiercingservicesprofessionally.

Troy Steward

East Coweta High School, Class of 2023

Troy Steward is a multimedia producer and servant leaderwithmorethan1,000unpaidworkhoursand125 productions through a unique partnership between CentralEducationalCenterCharterSchool,EastCoweta HighSchool,WOW!andtheCowetaCountySchool System.Troyisastudentproducer,director,camera

ServiceOriented

operator,editor,gafferandvideoproductioninternatalocalcableandinternet provider,andhasdirectedlive-aired,localschool-boardandpoliticaldebates,Coweta Citizen-of-the-Yearevents,TalkingwithTony(localsportscommentaryshow), CowetaCountySchools'weeklynewsprogram,andschoolperformancesaroundthe county.Troycreditshisexperienceparticipatingin21stCenturyLeaders’Warner Bros. Discovery Future Leaders Institute and classes through the Georgia Film AcademyatTrillithStudiostogrowinghisskills.Beyondhisproductionwork,Troy hasvolunteeredforhundredsofhourswithNewnan-CowetaHumaneSociety,local churchanddancestudioproductions,andservesasScienceOlympiadteam'sstudent coachforhiselementaryschoolalmamater.TroyplanstoattendMiddleTennessee StateUniversityinFall2023andpursueadegreeinliveproduction.

forward-thinking

Gabrielle Walthour

DeKalb Early College Academy (DECA), Class of 2023

Gabrielle Walthour isthefounderoftheDualEnrollment (DE)Clubwhosepurposeistorestoredualenrollment fundingbyrewritingGAHouseBill444.In2020,House Bill444cutdualenrollmentfunding,meaningfamiliesat DECAwouldhavetopayout-of-pocketforstudentsto receiveanassociatedegreethatwasoncefree. Most studentsatDeKalbEarlyCollegeAcademyarefirst-genor

low-incomestudentsandcuttingdualenrollmentfundingiscreatingbarriersfor studentstogainacollegedegree.Thinkingofhowherfellowfriendsandfamily wereaffectedbythisbill,Gabrielletookaction.TheDEClubmembershavewritten andsentletterstorepresentatives,arecurrentlyrewritingtheHouseBill,andare fundraisingtohelptheirpeerspayfortheirfinalcredithoursatGeorgiaState University.Ifthelegislationispassed,thisfundingwouldallowhighschoolstudents toobtainanassociate’sdegreeandhighschooldiplomasimultaneously.Inaddition, Gabrielleisamemberofher21CLubatDECA,servesasthevicepresidentofthe NationalHonorSociety,isaviolinistandmemberoftheJazzBandatherschool, volunteersatLaAmistadtutoringelementarystudents,andrecentlywroteand directedtheChristmasplayatherchurch.Inthefuture,sheaspirestobecomea lawyerandhasbeeninvolvedinMockTrialandaStanfordlawsummerprogramto exploreherinterest.

Quintus Williams

Swainsboro High School, Class of 2024

Quintus Williams isanentrepreneurandinnovator, creatinghisownbusinesstohelpothers.Afterhearing fromparentsthattheirstudentswerestrugglingand neededhelpinschool,hetookactiontoprovidethat help.Asanhonorstudent,winningnumerousacademic awards,Quintususedhisskillsandbegantoofferhis

Resourcefulness

tutoringserviceat$20aweek,quicklygainingover30clients.He’sinvestedover 1,000hoursoftutoring,improvingstudents’gradeswhiledevelopingtheirwork ethicandattitude.Inaddition,heisthePresidentofhisschool’s21CLub,the Presidentofthe2023BlackHistoryStudentCommittee,thehistorianofthelocal FBLAchapter,amemberofFFA,4-H,theSwainsboroStudentCouncilanda second-yearmemberoftheEmanuelCountySuperintendent'sAdvisoryCouncil. Hewasalsorecentlynamedthe2023RegionFourGraphicDesignchampionand the2022GeorgiaYoungAuthorsWritingCompetitionwinnerforhisdistrict. Quintusisthefirststudenttowin21CL’sGeorgiaYouthLeadershipAwardfrom hishighschool!

leveragesdiversity

Samuel (Sammy) Woldegiorgis

Decatur High School, Class of 2024

Samuel Woldegiorgis isanentrepreneurialleadercreating and successfully profiting from three clothing brand businesses.Withapassionforclothinganddesign,Sammy createdHabeshaApparel:AnEastAfricanapparelline, featuringcustom-madedesignsfocusedonthecountries Ethiopia and Eritrea before creating his second brand, LaconicBrand,acommission-basedhoodiebrandwhere

customerssubmitcustomdesignrequests.Thenewestandmostprominentbrand SammystartedisStarsfromHeaven,whichheestablishedrightafterattending21CL’s SummerYouthLeadershipInstitute@Goizueta.StarsFromHeaven'sdebutreleasesold outinunderaweekearningSammyover$1,000insalesandalargepresenceonsocial media.Sammyuseshisbrandforgoodbydonatinghispiecestothehomelessinhis communitywherehealsovolunteersandgivesback.Healsoleadsathisschoolasthe VP of the Jobs for Georgia Graduates Career Association Club, President of G.E.N.T.S.,andisworkingtostartanewclubwithapeercalledForwardFocus, whichwillallowhighschoolstudentstomentorunderrepresentedkidsatlocalmiddle schools.AsaREACHScholarandbeingHOPEScholarship-Bound,Sammyhopesto usethosescholarshipstopursuepost-secondaryeducationinGeorgia.

supporting leaders supporting leaders

March 25, 2023

OUR AUCTION

Get your "paddle" ready for exciting live auction items up for grabs throughout the evening!

Auction bids (aka, WINS!) and proceeds will go directly to support our year-round student leadership development and diversity and inclusion training programs for 1,600+ students.

Online Auction closes at 8:00pm. You can access on your phone at https://21cl.cbo.io (use QR code at bottom of page)

THE GOLDEN TICKET

For$100,support1studentinLeadershipConnect, 21CL’sonlineleadershipandrewardsprogram.Each $100donationearnsyouagoldenticketentrytoearn yourchoiceofthreetrippackages. Get your golden ticket on our auction page!

WINE & SPIRIT WALL

Keepyourspiritshighwitha guaranteedbottleofwineorspirits, ranginginvaluefrom$20to$200+!

MAKE A BID

GRAB A GOLDEN TICKET

Auction QR

breaking barriers breaking barriers

Raise Your Paddle

Who’s ready to help break barriers for our future leaders?

Forthepast34years,21stCenturyLeadershasbeenunleashingtheleadership potentialwithineverystudentwhohasparticipatedinitsprograms.While100%of ourseniorslastyearreportedgraduatingfromschoolandgoingtoapostsecondary education,didyouknowthatinarecentstudyoverhalf(62%)ofAmericansreported thatrisingtuitionisthebiggestfinancialbarriertocollege,whileoverhalf(56%)also sayearningacollegedegreeimprovesemploymentpotential.

Weareexcitedtoshareournewestprogramforourgraduatingseniorsthatwillhelp breakadditionalbarriersastheyembarkonlifeafterhighschool.Thissummer21st CenturyLeaderswillbeoffering:

Summer Internship + College Scholarship Program

10graduatinghighschoolseniorswitha4-6week paid summerinternship

$250clothingandtravelstipendforeachintern

$2,500collegescholarshipsforeachintern- that's $25,000 in college scholarships!

Help

us close the gap

Weneedyourhelptoraisethefinaldollars

tofullyfundthisprogram!

$15,000

Specialthankstoourfoundationalfundersforthisprogramat

MarketSource and State Farm’s Good Neighbor Program in partnershipwiththe Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta.

Presenting Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Silver Sponsors

Bronze Sponsors

Friend of 21CL

Jason & Catherine Wallace Chris & Sue Reynolds

Arjun + Prathi Chowdri

A special thank you to all of the additional companies, organizations, and individuals who donated in-kind items for our auction.