L
ast year, the Aspen Institute announced three cohorts of its 2020-2021 Aspen Young Leaders Fellowship (AYLF), located in Chicago, St. Louis, and the Mississippi and Arkansas Delta. The fellowship aims to identify, cultivate and amplify rising generations of talent to engage in values-based leadership essential for transforming their lives and society for the better. According to the organization’s website, each year, 30 fellows ages 18-22 are selected from each locality based on talent and potential, with particular attention paid to recruiting low- and moderate-income youth. The program lasts one year and includes 150 seminar hours, a paid internship, the launch of a community impact project, and access to an opportunity ecosystem supporting the fellows’ development. Upon completion, fellows enter a lifelong network designed to aid their success. The 2020-2021 Mississippi and Arkansas Delta cohort has a wellrounded mix of 12 current and former CCC students. Troy Holt, a sophomore general studies major from Greenville, Mississippi, is a current cohort member. He is thankful for the opportunity to participate in the program and finds that the initiative grows and develops one’s confidence and competencies.
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ROAR Magazine
“Being a part of the Aspen community is an honor for a young Black male striving for greatness. In a world that is said to be biased on some levels, this gives me hope, inspiration, and a different outlook on life as a whole. Especially being a minority, Aspen has boosted my confidence, and the sky is the limit from here.” Each year in the Delta, AYLF looks for up to 30 fellows with raw talent, creativity, and a passion for serving their communities. The program does not base participant selection on top grades or polished resumes. Rather, the ideal fellow believes they can make a difference and is willing to put in the work to do so. “I hope to gain genuine positivity that is based on empathy and connection in acceptance of this opportunity. And no matter what life throws at me, I will be able to find ways to move forward whether the situation is good or bad, being thankful for what I have,” Holt added. Holt credits a supportive CCC community for providing access to rich opportunities. “I am a resident assistant here at Coahoma Community College, where I interact with a lot of people in very prestigious roles,” said Holt. “One day, I was having a discussion with the director of Student Engagement about bettering my hometown and different ideas I had about a lot of fun and main
