21st Century Leaders

Join us for our annual charity golf outing, Leaderboard at The River Club on Tuesday, October 15, 2024. The Leaderboard, hosted by our Board of Directors and event chair Scott Riggs, brings awareness of our programs and thanks existing 21CL supporters in a fun networking and competitive atmosphere at the beautiful and private River Club golf course in Suwanee, Georgia.

From 9am-3pm, we welcome our supporters and business professionals to spend the day with 21CL alumni, staff, and partners while enjoying the amenities and greens and sustaining our mission of inspiring youth to lead.

Register to play (before we sell out!), sponsor a hole, provide in-kind support, and save your spot at https://www.21stcenturyleaders.org/press-events/leaderboard/.

We had an incredible summer of programs, serving over 300 high school students from across Georgia during 4 summer leadership institutes and providing 11 graduated seniors with a paid summer internship and over $27,000 in scholarships.

We could not do this work without our dedicated partners, supporters and 400+ volunteers (just from summer!). 35 years of impact and counting!

We look forward to sharing an impact report for each summer institute, but in the meantime take a look at the overall summer impact we made together:https://www.21stcenturyleaders.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2024-Summer-Impact-Two-Pager-Report.pdf

Two days left to apply!
The deadline to apply for our 2024-2025 Youth Ambassadors is THIS THURSDAY, August 15th at midnight.

To be eligible, you must:
✅Be a 21CL student
✅Apply by August 15th at midnight
✅Complete Levels 1 & 2 in Leadership Connect by August 15th at midnight

Our Ambassadors are the faces and voices of our statewide student body who contribute to programs, service projects, and youth-led opportunities throughout the year.

Sound good? Apply by 8/15 at https://www.21stcenturyleaders.org/for-students/experiences/youth-ambassadors/

Volunteer opportunity! It's become a tradition for over a decade for 21CL to volunteer at Lekotek of Georgia's 5K Run. 21CL students, family, alumni and friends are invited to volunteer with us at the race on Saturday, August 24th at Brook Run Park in Dunwoody.

Sign up to volunteer by August 16th at https://forms.gle/Kg6nRmsGT4Jj9ZtP9.
Want to walk/run the 5K instead? Register at https://www.lekotekga.org/run.html

Hope to see you there!

On National Intern Day (July 25, 2024) we celebrated our 11 leaders who took part in our 2024 Internship & Scholarship program with some play time at TopGolf!

These 21CL Class of 2024 alumni spent their summer on workforce readiness, network growth, and leadership development while working at various host sites.

As they begin college in the fall, they'll each receive a $2,500 scholarship! We'll have an impact report to share later, but for now let us say CONGRATULATIONS!

Thank you to Atlanta Braves, MarketSource, Fulton County Government Community Services and Youth Services Department, Kiwanis Club of Atlanta, Board of Directors, and individual donors for making this program possible, and to additional host sites Kennesaw State University and HOT COFFEE.

Who's ready for Level 4 of Leadership Connect?! Our NEW Level 4 of Leadership Connect is launching this fall!

Complete Levels 1 - 3 in Leadership Connect by August 20th to be eligible for the 2024-2025 Level 4 cohort.

Presented in partnership with Emory's Goizueta Business School, this capstone level of our online learning platform will focus on social enterprise and entrepreneurship, with students working in cohorts with MBA student coaches.

On successful completion of Level 4, students will earn a Leadership Certificate from the Goizueta Business School. 🏆

You've got 2 weeks to finish Levels 1 -3 if you're interested in Level 4 this year. You can do it!

to our Back2School Kickoff in 2014! This event - which evolved into our annual fall summit - featured the signature 21CL blend of networking, student leadership, learning from professionals and peers, and service.

84% of students at this event 10 years ago agreed that their involvement in 21st Century Leaders has made them more confident working with people who are different from them.

That's music to our ears and a core of why we've been doing what we do for the past .

The application for our 2024-2025 Youth Ambassadors is open now!

Are you a current 21CL student with a love for 21CL, an interest in leadership and service, a desire to grow among a diverse peer group as a representative of your community, and who have completed/will complete Levels 1 and 2 in Leadership Connect by the Ambassador application deadline? Then go ahead and apply!

Apply by August 15th at https://www.21stcenturyleaders.org/for-students/experiences/youth-ambassadors/

**August 15th is also the deadline to be complete with Levels 1 and 2 in Leadership Connect in order to be eligible**

Get ready, Leaders! The application for our 2024-2025 Youth Ambassadors opens on August 1st!

If you're a 21st Century Leader interested in applying, remember that to be eligible you'll need to be done with Levels 1 and 2 in Leadership Connect (LC) by August 15th.

Need help logging into your Leadership Connect account? Email [email protected].

Calling all young professionals and 21CL Alumni!

Save the date for 21st Century Leaders' NEXT EXEC Leadership Summit on Saturday, September 21st, 2024.

Hosted by our Alumni Board and in honor of our 35th Anniversary, the NEXT EXEC Leadership Summit is designed for young professionals to continue their leadership development and expand their network.

Whether a 21CL alumni or a friend, all young professionals are welcome to attend. More details and registration coming soon!

Class of 2025, did you know that 21CL is a nominating organization for The Posse Foundation's scholarship and leadership program?

If you're...
- a 21CL senior (c/o 2025) in the Metro Atlanta area
- interested in any of Posse Atlanta's partner colleges/universities
- in search of a full-tuition 4-year scholarship
- and willing/able to meet weekly in Atlanta for leadership training starting in 2025 if selected
..then email [email protected] with your interest by August 6th!

We have a limited number of nomination slots available, so please be sure to read about the program requirements, commitments, and specific partner schools for Atlanta's cohort to ensure alignment with your goals and capacity. 🥳

Where in the world are 21CL alumni? 🎵

Some - like KJ Washington - are in Paris, interning with NBCUniversal at the 2024 Olympic Games!

Always proud of our 21CL family!

Today's highlighting 21CL alumni from the 2000's features Samuel Logan, a Flight Attendant for Delta Airlines and a Sports & Entertainment journalist.

Samuel, who is a regular volunteer with 21CL and worked as part of our Summer Leadership Team this year, shares his advice for current students and celebrates the power of networking and personalizing leadership.

Read Samuel's spotlight and catch up on other 21CL alumni as we continue to celebrate . Check out alumni spotlights at https://www.21stcenturyleaders.org/our-impact/alumni-spotlight/

Yesterday the 21CL staff went on a retreat for some strategic program planning and bonding!

Being halfway through our 35th anniversary year, we recognized and reflected on the past, present, and future of 21st Century Leaders.

Thanks to our fearless leader and Executive Director, Kate Hewitt, for guiding the team and organization into continued impact, purpose, and intentionality (and for the motivational goodie bags!).

And thanks to Warner Bros. Discovery for giving us a space to dream our dreams in!

Ready to change the world? 21st Century Leaders is partnering with the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Sustainability and Resilience on Atlanta’s Youth Climate Action Fund, supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies!

Youth ages 15-24 can APPLY TODAY for microgrants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 to support the development and delivery of your own climate action solutions!

Apply by July 25th for one of these microgrants that could bring your climate action solution to life!

Learn more and apply at https://www.100atl.com/youth-climate-action-fund.

Day 5 of our Film & Entertainment Institute took students on a tour of Trilith Studios! They got to walk around the set, talk to the crew, and literally picture themselves on screen!

Then they got creative with an improv and problem solving workshop, before spending time with their teams to finalize their project pitches for tomorrow!

Thank you to the business professionals who attended the Leadership Dinner at our Film & Entertainment Institute last night, from alumni to board members to industry and community leaders.

Students practiced their formal dining and networking skills and gained wisdom from 21CL's Advisory Council member, Dennis Adamovich and an inspiring panel of leaders moderated by one of their own 21CL student peers.

Thank you panelists:
- Johnita Due, EVP, Integrity & Inclusion, CNN & Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer — CNN & TNT Sports at Warner Bros. Discovery
- Okema Jackson, VP of Media, Operations, Programming and Traffic, WABE, 21CL Board of Directors
- Jay Jackson, Founder & CEO, RYSE Creative Village
- Brandon Reese, VP of State Government Affairs for Southeast Region, Motion Picture Association

Day 4 of our Film & Entertainment Institute focused on leadership development. Students explored perspectives and gained skills for leading in a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture through a workshop led by The Collective 180.

Following the classic 21CL etiquette lesson, students are ready for the Leadership Dinner tonight where they'll practice networking and formal dining and will hear from a stellar panel of industry leaders.

Day 3 of our Film & Entertainment Institute was quite the production! Students stepped into the shoes of a production crew, getting hands-on with equipment at Warner Bros. Discovery to produce a sports broadcast show in their studios.

In addition to learning about production roles from WBD staff (several of whom are 21CL Alumni!), they also got to hear about life on set from production assistants and about career pathways from the VP of Corporate Social Responsibility.

Day 2 of our Film & Entertainment Institute brought students to the Warner Bros. Discovery campus for an introduction to the world of careers in media, entertainment, news, production, and corporate social responsibility.

From meeting CNN 10's host Coy Wire and CNN anchor Amara Walker to networking with Warner Bros. Discovery employees to getting professional headshots, it's been a newsworthy day.

Students also got an introduction to their challenge this week, a prompt they'll work in teams to develop and present on Friday to a panel of judges.

Up next is networking with 21CL Alumni this evening!

Today we kick off our fourth and final 2024 summer leadership institute with our Film & Entertainment Institute, taking place Sunday, July 14th - Friday, July 19th at Georgia Tech.

We'll welcome 54 students from 43 high schools and 16 counties across Georgia for a week of immersive experiences in the film, entertainment and media industry along with our foundational leadership development training.

Thanks to Warner Bros. Discovery, the Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network BOOST grant, 21CL Board of Directors and individual donors for supporting this institute!

Learn more and check out the week's agenda at https://www.21stcenturyleaders.org/for-students/summer-leadership-institutes/film-entertainment-institute/

Our 21CLubs had an incredible year of student-led community service and leadership forums. Each school- or community-based club is given support to plan service projects, coordinate career forums and training workshops, and focus on leadership development.

Special thanks to the following for supporting our 21CLubs across the state: Cox, Aflac, Nordson Corporation, Noble Investment Group, Fulton County Government, DeKalb County, The Scott Hudgens Family Foundation, Science ATL, and the 21CL Board of Directors and individual donors.

Check out some of the highlights from our 2023-2024 21CLub Impact Report athttps://www.21stcenturyleaders.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/21CLub-Impact-Report-23-24.pdf

Calling Atlanta's and 21CL's youth climate leaders! Apply for a microgrant to fund your own climate solution project and make a difference for the future!

We are excited to partner with the City of Atlanta in distributing $1,000 - $5,000 microgrants to 15 - 24 year-old climate leaders to fund climate solutions and sustainability projects in their Atlanta community.

Have a project idea to activate, or an initiative to maintain? Individuals or groups in can apply for Atlanta's Youth Climate Action Fund grant by July 25th!

Learn more and apply at https://www.100atl.com/youth-climate-action-fund

Read the full press release at https://www.atlantaga.gov/Home/Components/News/News/15144/672

Today's highlighting 21CL alumni from the 2000's features Amy Phuong, the VP of Government Relations for Atlanta Hawks & State Farm Arena.

Amy, the "former Leslie Knope of Atlanta," reflects on her leadership journey and exposure to opportunity through 21st Century Leaders, and shares advice and encouragement for young leaders.

Read Amy's spotlight and catch up on other 21CL alumni as we continue to celebrate . Check out alumni spotlights at https://www.21stcenturyleaders.org/our-impact/alumni-spotlight/

Wishing you a safe and happy 4th of July!

At Earthcare, our summer leadership institute supported by Georgia Power, students embraced the Georgia Power motto of being "A Citizen Wherever We Serve" by giving back to the community of Milledgeville with a day of service on June 11th.

Students and our summer staff volunteered at the animal shelter, at Freedom Church and Cafe Central, and at the Oconee River Greenway.

All in all, they served 300 volunteer hours, which adds up to making a $10,000+ economic impact in Milledgeville, GA! Way to go, leaders!

Day 5 of our Healthcare & IT Institute had students jumping for joy (on the helipad) at their visit to Piedmont Atlanta Hospital!

Students toured the facility and multiple specialty departments, networked with healthcare professionals, and tackled a medical ethics challenge presented by Dr. Swetha Ramakrishnan. Students even got to hear from Dr. Patrick Battey, hospital CEO, and Dr. Lacy Knight, Chief Health Information Officer (CHIO) on a panel moderated by Dr. Jyoti Sharma, Cardiology Medical Director, Women's Heart Program and 21CL Alumna.

Up next, students will work on finalizing their team presentations to pitch tomorrow to judges!

Giving a round of applause to our dinner guests and panelists who shared their leadership wisdom and encouragement with students at our Healthcare & IT Institute Leadership Dinner on June 26th, starting with a special welcome from Jon Neff, 21CL Board of Directors..

Our esteemed panelists included:
Dr. Tim Giannoni, Owner, Attento Counseling
Melissa Hunter, MPH, Operations Lead, Novo Nordisk
Dr. Rico Miller, President/CEO, Universal Technical Services
Krista Rouse, VP of Product Management, Insight Global

Thank you!

Day 4 of our Healthcare & IT Institute had students spending another day with Health System, this time at their Kennestone hospital to hear from leaders on site and get hands-on experience with medical equipment and devices, practice bananas to use the tools on, surgical robots, and safety gear!

Up next is the Leadership Dinner, where students will dine and network with professionals and gain wisdom from an industry leadership panel!