2024 Be the Inspiration Gala Event Program

Presented by

SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 2024

Savanna Hall at Zoo Atlanta 6PM

21st Century Leaders’ annual fundraising gala

Celebrating 35 years of Inspiring Youth to Lead.

Century Leaders.

Thank you for joining 21st Century Leaders' annual Be the Inspiration Gala, presented by Warner Bros. Discovery. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate and showcase 35 years of inspiring youth to lead than at this event.

You will witness first hand recognize 21 of our high Leadership Awards and $11,0 also seeing the long-term i including our keynote speak d ll f t i l l i vendors with us tonight!

As a small non-profit, events proceeds raised tonight will e receiving free access to high have you here with us to c empower our future.

OUR MISSION WELCOME!

Now, let's Hew tive

21st Century Leaders® is a non-profit organization that connects, transforms, and inspires high school students across Georgia to leverage and promote diversity and inclusion, explore career opportunities, and become leaders in their schools, communities, and ultimately the workforce.

www.21stcenturyleaders.org

6:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

8:00 p.m.

Mari Sifo, 21CL Board of Directors, Gala Co Chair, Host Hotels & Resorts

Chi Nguyen, 21CL Board of Directors, Gala Co-Chair, Insight Global

Georgia Youth Leadership Awards

Resourcefulness Category, sponsored by Host Hotels & Resorts

Service-Oriented Category, sponsored by Georgia Power

Inclusion Category, sponsored by Cox

Forward-Thinking Category

Be the Inspiration

Greg Clay, 21CL Alumnus, Mayor’s Office, City of Atlanta

Presenting Sponsor

Warner Bros. Discovery Student Leadership Award

Danielle Scarborough, Director of Tech Strategy & Business Operations, Warner Bros. Discovery

DINNER MENU

Celebrate the tastes of Georgia with a Southern-inspired menu catered by Proof of the Pudding

Hors d'oeuvres: Low Country Shrimp & Grit Bites + Cajun Aioli; Smoked Deviled Potatoes + Black-eyed Pea Hummus + Paprika (GF, Vegan); Watermelon + Feta + Fresh Basil (GF, V)

Salad: Peach & Goat Cheese Salad + Mixed Greens, Fresh Peaches, Heirloom Tomatoes, Grilled Focaccia, and Balsamic Drizzle (V)

Entrée: Pecan Crusted Chicken + Vidalia

Onion Mashed Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetable, Bourbon Jus (GF)

Vegetarian Entrée: Stuffed Acorn Squash + Farro Pilaf, Balsamic Glaze (GF, Vegan)

Dessert: Chocolate Bread Pudding

A LETTER FROM

Warner Bros. Discovery is proud to serve as the presenting sponsor for 21st Century Leaders’ Be the Inspiration Gala, celebrating 35 years of incredible impact.

At Warner Bros. Discovery, we inspire the makers, the storytellers, the world’s greatest creators. We’re bringing together the scripted and the unscripted, the local and the global, the timely and the timeless. Taking the world’s greatest possibilities and making them a reality. Creating impact, inspiring imagination, and building connections.

Warner Bros. Discovery seeks to amplify the voices of global storytellers to reflect audiences around the world. We strive to promote diversity, remove barriers, and create space for all to share ideas and be heard. Creating a culture of equity, inclusion, and belonging is imperative to our company’s success. Through embracing and empowering our talented, diverse workforce and creative teams, we remove barriers to opportunity, open access to our industry at all levels, and help shape the most inclusive and equitable world for all.

As such, Warner Bros. Discovery is incredibly proud of our longstanding partnership with 21st Century Leaders. For 35 years, we’ve been partnering with 21st Century Leaders to support promising young people and incredible emerging talent in their leadership journey. Through our sponsorship of the Film & Entertainment Institute, the annual Warner Bros. Discovery Student Leadership Award, and events like Be the Inspiration gala, we aim to give young people from all backgrounds the experiences, abilities, access, visibility, and opportunities needed for them to thrive. We know that diversity, equity and inclusion are key to leadership, innovation, creativity, and more representative storytelling.

Representation matters – that’s why we’re proud to partner with 21st Century Leaders to inspire the next generation of great, diverse leaders to find their voice and share their story. Thank you.

Sydney Langdon, Senior Director of Corporate Social Responsibility

Warner Bros. Discovery

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 carrying on the 35-year tradition of serving our students.

2024 Gala Co Chairs + Board of Directors

Chi Nguyen

CFO Insight Global

Alumni Host Committee

Asher Jones, Cristy Jones, Taylor Green

Coaches to Georgia Youth Leadership Awardees

SamAguilar*

MoniqueBell*

MaranieBrown(21CLBoard)*

GregClay(21CLAlumnus)*

WhitneyDealMarshall*

AlexEbanks

ChandraFarley

DavidFelfoldi*

MartyFleischmann(21CLBoard)*

TreVorskiGarrett

TaylorGreen(21CLAlumna)

JPJames(21CLBoard)

KellyLee*

ClarkeLeGrand

Dr.BrandonMorgan(21CLAlumnus)

ChristianMurphy*

MichaelQuigley*

TauniaNkromo-Stevenson

AngelaWilliams*

ThurmanWilliams*

AnqiZou(21CLBoard)*

Georgia Youth Leadership Award Selection Committee

Coaches indicated above*, along with Arjun Chowdri (21CL Board); Cam Henson & Asher Jones (21CL Alumni Board); Felicia McDade; Patrick Solomon (21CL Advisory Council); Kristopher Williams; and Raveena Alli (21CL Youth Ambassador)

Share the Inspiration #35yearsof21CL #BIG2024

@21stCenturyLeaders

@21CLYouth /company/21stCenturyLeadersInc

21st Century Leaders is proud to support the ongo g leadership and impact of our students and alumni. Many of tonight’s vendors are entrepreneurial alumni or students.

@twistsnap_events

Check out our 360 Video Booth + Photo Booth by TwistSnap, owned by KJ Washington, 21CL Alumni ‘20

ABOUT 21ST CENTURY LEADERS ABOUT 21ST CENTURY LEADERS

21st Century Leaders was founded in 1989 and has become the premier youth leadership development program for high school students in GA. Our programs connect students and companies to three transformative guiding pillars:

Leadership Development

Career Readiness

Inclusion

95% 95%

of students said they took on one or of students said they took on one or more new leadership roles after more new leadership roles after joining 21st Century Leaders joining 21st Century Leaders

INSPIRING YOUTH TO LEAD INSPIRING YOUTH TO LEAD

100%

of students said they now see themselves as leaders as a result of our programs

Georgia’s high school students can join 21st Century Leaders through our three signature programs: 21CLubs, Leadership Connect, and our Summer Leadership Institutes

Once students join, they continue their leadership journey and career exploration through our year-round experiences:

Leadership Summits Internships & Scholarships

Youth Ambassadors

Georgia Youth Leadership Awards

45%

of students said attending 21CL programs was their first time seeing someone who looks like them in a career or position they want to be in

r Be the Inspiration Gala we honor 21 students in 21st Century Leaders with our signature Georgia Youth Leadership Award. 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 five leadership values:

RESILIENT

ALUMNI VENDOR SPOTLIGHT ALUMNI VENDOR SPOTLIGHT

LAUNCH POINTE PRODUCTIONS

LAUNCH POINTE PRODUCTIONS

Stage Management + Production

Brandi Harrison, Owner

‘97

JOIN US

in celebrating the diverse ways these young leaders have chosen to Be the Inspiration to their peers and communities. 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. Meet the Resourceful leaders!

Resourceful

ADITI ASHOK

South Forsyth High School, Class of 2025

presented by:

Aditi Ashok is a passionate leader who transforms innovative ideas to create positive change in her community. She is the founder of Voice of Forsyth, a program that establishes debate programs in middle schools to empower young minds to express their opinions,

engage in constructive dialogue, and develop essential communication skills. Aditi also competes in public forum debate at the national level, and has attended the Tournament of Champions as a representative of her school She is the captain of the South Forsyth High School debate team, and leads the Girls Who Code and Women in STEM chapters at her school. She has organized multiple community-wide events to further the missions of these organizations and is an avid volunteer with countless others. In 2023, she was one of nine students selected from the student body to be a Secretary of State Ambassador, where she encouraged voter registration among her peers and volunteering within the community She is also an intern at Representative Esther Panitch’s office, where she contributes to legislative research and handles constituent relations, committee support and policy analysis. She has been a member of her high school band program for 3 years and is a part of the Wind Ensemble. She hopes to study public policy and economics in college Aditi’s GYLA Coach is Whitney Deal Marshall, Whitney Marshall Coachi

PRATEEK DODDLA

Prateek Doddla is on a mission to empower adults with hearing disabilities by providing them with the necessary tools to enhance communication and interaction within their community Through his nonprofit initiative, the HearClear Project, begun in August 2023, he has raised over $2,000 and donated over 20 pairs of hearing aids

Chattahoochee High School, Class of 2025 to serve individuals with impaired hearing. Involving friends and family, his team meets every other week to plan fundraising and outreach to expand the impact and service of his nonprofit. In addition to his philanthropic endeavors, Prateek serves as the sports editor for The Speculator, his school's newspaper publication. Through his role, he captures and shares the uplifting stories of major events, such as the inspiring journey of the football team, injecting positivity into the community narrative. Furthermore, Prateek is an active member of Student Leadership Johns Creek, a prestigious leadership program where he channels his passion for environmental sustainability into meaningful community service projects, and is a 21CL Youth Ambassador. Through his involvement, he actively promotes and advocates for initiatives that foster environmental consciousness and responsibility. With his unwavering commitment to making a difference, Prateek exemplifies the spirit of leadership and compassion, enriching the lives of others and leaving a lasting impact on his community. Prateek’s GYLA Coach is TreVorski Garrett, Cox

DIANA JACHMAN

Diana Jachman is a Managing Editor for the multimedia section of the student newspaper and founder of the Impact Teen Drivers (ITD) Chapter at Midtown HS. Following her cousin’s death in a vehicle accident in 2021, Diana found a passion for educating her peers about the dangers of reckless and distracted driving. After her family founded the Laney Zambri Foundation in her cousin’s honor and partnered with Impact Teen Drivers, a California-based nonMidtown High School, Class of 2024

profit that educates teens to make good driving decisions and prevent car accidents, the leading cause of death in adolescents, Diana was motivated to establish a local ITD chapter at her school. By leveraging the resources of the 21CLub @ Midtown, Diana has reached over 350 students and spent over 100 hours volunteering with her ITD initiatives, recruiting four younger classmates as volunteer trainees to help educate their community about the impact of reckless driving. They hosted “Sign the Pledge” events to spread awareness and get students to sign a safe-driving pledge and presented the program to health classes to provide students with an alcohol and drug awareness program necessary for getting their driver’s licenses Diana is also involved with the drama productions of the Midtown Theater and with the acapella group Voxology. When Diana is not in the classroom, she enjoys spending time reading and making memories with friends and family. Diana aspires to be a broadcast journalist and plans to study journalism in college. Diana’s GYLA Coach is Alex Ebanks, Essence

ANSHUMAN KHADANGA

Anshuman “AK” Khadanga is the co-founder and secretary of the 21CLub @ Lakeside HS and a healthcare volunteer. This chapter of 21CL’s student-led club is dedicated to the exploration of STEM topics through fun and engaging experiments. Through his efforts, the club established student officer roles and serves 35 members through engaging biweekly meetings. Anshuman is also a Boy Scout;

Lakeside High School, Class of 2025 for his Eagle Scout project he organized fundraising and managed 15 volunteers to build a flight of stairs for his temple of worship, which took over 270 hours to complete As event manager for the 2024 TEDx Evans Youth event, Anshuman coordinates volunteers and uses his role to garner support from local businesses and bring strategic changes to streamline operations and expand event impact. As his school’s HOSA Volunteer Coordinator, he connects with community organizers to identify volunteer opportunities for his club members; his chapter has volunteered over 120 hours at local events like Arts in the Heart festival and the Miracle Mile Walk Augusta As an IB student, he conducted research on age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with a doctor at the University of South Florida and presented a research poster on potential gene therapies at academic conferences; he is the only high school student to earn the AOPT Travel Award, typically awarded to undergraduate or graduate students. He has volunteered over 100 hours at Piedmont and Doctors Hospital of Augusta and has played trombone for over 7 years. With all of these roles, he hopes to enhance his leadership skills, give back to his community, and inspire others to do so as well.

AK’s GYLA Coach is Sam Aguilar, Atlanta Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America

ISHITA SUKUL

Johns Creek High School, Class of 2024

Ishita Sukul is a trilingual human rights advocate, community volunteer, and 21CL Youth Ambassador. Born in Kolkata, India, Ishita moved to the US with her family at a young age. At school, she is President of the USA Biology Olympiad and Co-President of Physicians for Human Rights (PHR), where her passions for biology and human rights advocacy merge. Troubled by the reality of human

trafficking, she joined PHR to take action and address this global issue. Ishita spent over 3 years organizing a “Human Trafficking Project,” through which she was able to advise, serve, and advocate for the rights of trafficked individuals. She volunteered at the House of Cherith shelter and at the Free Fab’rik Boutique, donated female undergarments and sanitary products to address global period poverty, and raised $2500+ dollars to aid families living in poverty. She organized more than 20 outreach events and created informational materials and trafficking awareness posts for social media, distributing over 5,000 brochures throughout her school district, medical centers and grocery stores. Ishita helped raise over $10,000 in support of this advocacy work and has published numerous articles on the subject. She organized the “Diversity 4 All” project as a member of the Principal’s Student Advisory organization, volunteers with the American Red Cross International Medical Corps and Doctors Without Borders, and raised $1500 for patients as an intern at Emory Johns Creek Hospital which inspired her to develop a research project for natural external medicine for arthritis. In addition, she holds leadership roles in numerous clubs and organizations, receiving local and national awards. She serves internationally in the Suri Vorsha Welfare Society raising over $500 for global poverty and hunger, and led workshops for over 70 students at the Nabadwip A.P.C Blind School.

Ishita’s GYLA Coach is Christian Murphy, Wellspring Living

JOSHUA GIRGIS

presented by:

Montessori School of Rome, Class of 2024

Joshua Girgis is a community leader and advocate. His social justice project, “STOP MODERN DAY SLAVERY,” addresses the problem of human trafficking in his local community by educating, raising money, and encouraging others to join the movement to advocate for child victims. He spread awareness to peers about the

Blue Heart Campaign and initiated a fundraiser called “Joshua Jumping for Justice” to support the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Trafficking in Persons. Embracing the Montessori ethos, Joshua has actively contributed to the school's microbusiness initiatives, facilitating international travel opportunities for his peers by raising over $150,000. Academically, Joshua has completed 12 AP classes - attaining AP Scholar and AP Scholar with Honor status - and 7 Dual Enrollment courses from Kennesaw State University, Georgia Highlands College, and Georgia Northwestern Technical College Joshua’s extracurricular pursuits include initiating a summer tutoring program, earning the Coach’s Award for his positive attitude in varsity tennis, poetry competitions and publication of his poem in "Where the Rivers Meet And Mountains Begin,” and music. Joshua aspires to pursue a neuroscience career in the medical field. His desire to make a difference in the lives of others is evident in his dedication to serving various nonprofit organizations, including Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Doctors Without Borders, and the Rome ASPCA. He is a 21st Century Leaders’ Youth Ambassador and in summer 2023 received 21CL’s Elijah Major Spirit Award for his positive attitude and compassionate spirit. Joshua’s GYLA Coach is Dr. Brandon Morgan, Iconic Orthodontics, 21CL Alumnus

CHRISTIAN HOOKS

Christian Hooks is deeply committed to serving his community. An active member of DECA since 2020, Christian has held leadership positions including Vice President of Marketing (2021-2023) and President (2022-2023), demonstrating his strong commitment to business and leadership and facilitating a toy drive where he led six volunteers to collect over 400 toys for a Title 1 elementary school. As

Grayson High School, Class of 2024 a passionate advocate for youth empowerment, adolescent mental health, and leadership, he has served as the Young Black Leadership Alliance (YBLA) Senior Global Ambassador since 2020, as a member of the Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Power & Potential since 2023, as a 21CL Youth Ambassador since 2023, and as a member of the DeKalb Alphas Mentoring Initiative (DAMI) since 2020. As the founder and President of the 21CLub @ Grayson, he leads initiatives to inspire and empower young leaders in his community. Christian has been actively involved in Samaritan’s Feet since 2020, going on a service trip to deliver over 1,000 shoes to adults and kids in Belize, and volunteers annually at the Mercy Seed Food Pantry, serving over 2,500 residents of Gwinnett County. He has participated in the Model Atlanta Regional Commission (MARC) from 2021-2022, showcasing his interest in civic engagement and community development. He aspires to pursue a career at the intersection of Marketing and Psychology, aiming to make a positive impact on the well-being and development of young people Christian’s GYLA Coach is Thurman Williams, Community Volunteer, Coca-Cola Alumni

HANNAH-LISA JONES

Hannah-Lisa Jones has a passion for service and leadership. As the president of the nonprofit organization Roses to Retirement, Hannah-Lisa spearheads initiatives to distribute roses to various institutions such as police and fire departments, nursing homes, and hospitals. Through creative funding strategies like donations

Johnson Ferry Christian Academy, Class of 2025 and purchasing discounted roses from grocery stores and wedding venues, she orchestrates the transformation of these flowers into beautiful bouquets before personally delivering them to brighten the day of community members She has delivered over 20,037 roses In addition to her leadership role with Roses to Retirement, Hannah-Lisa is an active member of the National Honor Society (NHS), where she participates in various service projects to support senior homes, teachers, veterans, and elementary students. Recently invited to join a club at her school for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS), Hannah-Lisa has embraced the opportunity to make a difference in the fight against blood cancer Through her dedication and hard work, she raised $5,000 for LLS, contributing to vital cancer research efforts. In addition, Hannah-Lisa is the Founder and CEO of Hannah's Pet Care Services, providing dog walking, pet sitting, pet nutrition counseling as well as conducting injury and disease care and prevention counseling to clients Hannah-Lisa remains committed to service and personal growth, eagerly embracing new opportunities and challenges that come her way.

Hannah-Lisa’s GYLA Coach is Maranie Brown, BlackRock, 21CL Board of Directors

DHAHAMI SALGADO

Emanuel County Institute, Class of 2024

Dhahami Salgado is a community leader and connector committed to excellence in both academics and extracurricular activities. She spent over 1,200 hours weaving over 5,000 collected plastic bags into sleeping mats for the homeless community in Emanuel County, Georgia. She volunteers monthly with her local food pantry, serving over 400 families from the community. Through her positions in the

21CLub and Student Council, the two clubs partnered for a mentorship program between high school and middle school students and for Red Ribbon Week activities. She serves as co-captain of her school’s dance line team and contributes her talents to the school's track team. Beyond athletics, she actively participates in various clubs, holding the esteemed positions of President of Family, Career, Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), Vice President of Student Council, and membership in the 21CLub @ Emanuel County Institute and the Citizens Bank Student Advisory Board. During her leisure hours, Dhahami dedicates her time to working at Meghan’s Learning Academy, a daycare in her hometown, where she showcases her passions for childcare and education Her remarkable achievements include consistent recognition as a Star Honor Roll student throughout high school, as well as receiving prestigious accolades such as the Bobcat L.E.A.D Society Award, the University of Georgia Certificate of Merit, and the 2023 Emanuel County Institute Homecoming Queen title. She plans to study Biology at Georgia Southern University on a pre-med track to become a pediatrician.

Dhahami’s GYLA Coach is Taylor Green, IBM, 21CL Alumna

ZARINA WANG

Lambert High School, Class of 2024 Fencing Team, consistently achieving top 10 positions and guiding her team to three consecutive 1st Place victories at Team Championships. She ranks 7th regionally in Cadet Women’s Epee and has increased team membership by 67%. Outside of school, Zarina assumes key roles on the District Board for Georgia Key Club, where she spearheads the organization of regional and state leadership conferences At the 7th Annual Asian Debate Cup she led Team USA against over 250 teams from over 20 countries and received the Best Speaker Award, ending as overall Second Runner-Up. As the Lieutenant Governor of 28 Georgia counties & 14 schools, she coordinated events for 700+ participants, led her division to be internationally recognized, and increased involvement in rural Georgia. She received her Gold Presidential Volunteer Service Award by tutoring underprivileged children Through her involvement in debate teams, Model UN, and more, Zarina aspires to impact the field of law, leveraging it as a means to champion the causes of underserved communities.

Zarina Wang is the founder and president of the 21CLub @ Lambert, established in 2021 Under her leadership, the club orchestrates impactful initiatives such as textbook drives, Lake Lanier clean-ups with over 30 student volunteers, and environmental awareness protests. Beyond 21CL, Zarina is an active member of the Lambert

Zarina’s GYLA Coach is Chandra Farley, City of Atlanta, Mayor’s Office of Sustainability and Resilience

JORDAN ADEYEMI

Phillips Exeter Academy, Class of 2024

presented by:

Jordan Adeyemi is a Special Olympics advocate and co-founder of the Shoeless Ones, a sports charity that donates cleats to underserved athletes in order to level the playing field In 2023, Jordan was honored with the prestigious ESPYS Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award, a national recognition that celebrates

young individuals who utilize the power of sports to catalyze positive change and make a meaningful impact on society. After volunteering with the Special Olympics in 7th grade to honor his disabled grandmother, Jordan was appointed two years later as a Special Olympics Youth Ambassador for the State of Georgia from 2020 to 2022. In this role, he demonstrated unwavering dedication to coaching athletes and advocating for the rights and dignity of individuals with intellectual disabilities; his impact includes sharing with 100 Hasbro employees the importance of inclusive toys on their Global Day of Joy, creating over 40 inclusivity advocacy videos shared in over 250 schools nationwide, appearances on The Weather Channel, representing the State of Georgia at the 2022 US Open games, and partnering with soccer coaches to coach athletes with disabilities. Recently, he was interviewed by the Special Olympics Workplace Readiness and Inclusion team to better understand the impact of Unified Champion Schools on life after the program. Jordan has been selected for Disney Dreamer Academy and serves as a Student Listener, co-head of the Black Students of Excellence group, and as the Varsity Soccer Captain for the 2023/2024 season at his school Jordan’s GYLA Coach is Michael Quigley, QVH Media

MELANIE HARPER

Marist School, Class of 2024

Melanie Harper is an active leader in her school and community Her mission work started at age 14 on the Blackfeet Tribe Reservation to help girls her age gain access to basic medical supplies and continues today through her Marist School Ministry and DUMC Youth Group serving vulnerable, disenfranchised families and advancing community causes.

Melanie’s fundraising efforts netted over $10K for low-income students and camper scholarships. In 2019 she joined the YMCA as a Teen Leader and Hunger Relief Volunteer and in 2022 was appointed Social Progress Chair with the Model Atlanta Regional Commission (MARC) to plan and support real-world sustainable development. Now in her second term as a Youth Commissioner, inducted by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners, she works to shape policy, programs, and legislation affecting youth and families. Melanie is President of Spanish Club, a Marist Campus Ministry Retreat Leader, Marist Dance Company Captain, Robotics Team Reach for Excellence Teaching Assistant, and Active Minds Officer. In 9th grade, she helped found the Mosaic DE&I Club and became an Inclusion and Diversity Ambassador; in 2020 she was selected by school faculty to attend the National Student Diversity Leadership Conference and completed Fearless Dialogue workshops, now using these experiences to support a safe space for her peers. Melanie works at the YMCA and is a TAG-Ed intern at the Kelley Technology Group LLC. Melanie will be pursuing a pre-med undergraduate degree this fall

Melanie’s GYLA Coach is Marty Fleischmann, All Electric Racing Organization, 21CL Board

HANNAH LANG

Georgia Cyber Academy, Class of 2025

Hannah Lang is dedicated to promoting STEM education and social justice initiatives. Driven by her experiences and passion for service, Hannah established her own nonprofit organization, Muslims For Academics, in 2023. Through this organization, she and her volunteer team of high school and college students provide over 7 hours of weekly tutoring, as well as mentorship and a network of career professionals, to at-risk and marginalized students in communities worldwide. To date, Muslims For Academics has positively impacted over 100 students across North America, Asia, and Africa, demonstrating Hannah's unwavering dedication to global education and empowerment. She serves as a devoted community volunteer for PruittHealth nursing facilities and the Georgia Muslim Voter Project, and serves in National Beta Club, at the Georgia Cyber Academy, and as a Teen Board Member at the DeKalb County Public Libraries She is a founding member of her school’s Youth Advisory Board, which she has served on since 2021. In 2023, she gathered support from Slalom Consulting, Wrightnow Solutions, Big Brothers and Sisters of Metro Atlanta, and Hope For Youth Inc. (HYPE), where she is a HYPE Leadership Academy student, to organize a summit on Family Connections and Mental Health. Hannah aspires to merge her interests in medicine and technology to address neurological disorders, leveraging innovation for positive social change

Hannah’s GYLA Coach is Clarke LeGrande, Cobb Medical Center (Wellstar)

AKANKSHA MANNA

Campbell High School, Class of 2025

Akanksha Manna founded Sketching with Seniors in 2021 as a way to combat the mental health crisis in the senior population. Her nonprofit has provided over 350 free art classes to seniors in memory care and assisted living facilities, with the help of over 1,000 youth volunteers from 15 high schools, and donated over 300 art kits to

community organizations. She received over $5,000 in support from Award, Ardonagh Trust Bright Future Prize, the YEFA Social Heartwarming grants, and the Social Impact Award from the Interna Conference. Akanksha hosts her own radio show, "Spilling The Chai" on Shudh Desi Radio, where she amplifies the voices and stories of South Asian professionals. With over 3000 listeners and features in local publications, her platform serves as a catalyst for cultural exchange and dialogue. An advocate for Hindus in America, she serves on the International Hindu Student Council leadership board, representing her community's interests at the Georgia State Capitol. From internships with Rep. Solomon Adesanya to research projects at Kennesaw State University, she remains committed to exploring innovative solutions to improve the health and well-being of Georgia's diverse population as a medical assistant in a clinic catering to medically underserved populations. She is the founder and president of HOSA at her school, serves on numerous other clubs and organizations. Akanksha’s GYLA Coach is Taunia Nkromo-Stevenson, CNN

MAYA MATTHEWS

Westlake High School, Class of 2024

Maya Matthews is an entrepreneur, peer leader, and academic advocate. As a first generation college bound student, Maya not only ranks in the top 10 percent of her class but also holds the titles of Magnet, Gifted, IB, AP, and Honors student. Maya is the Founder and Co-President of "College Chips," a club that

showcases her passion for helping others navigate their college application process. Founded in 2022, the club has over 30 members from 6 states and provides a place for students to access resources and scholarships while providing peer-to-peer support. Maya's entrepreneurial spirit shines through her business, “Mymy Made It,” a custom clothing and accessories company that creates unique and affordable clothing for students. Her impact expands beyond business, as she dedicates significant time to community service, amassing over 150 volunteer hours in tutoring, outdoor cleanups, and organizing canned food and coat drives Maya also actively engages in serving both her school and community, demonstrating her commitment to enhancing the lives of her peers and the broader community. As a 21st Century Leader and 21CL Youth Ambassador, she also serves as the Vice President and Peer Mentor of Becoming Empowering through Education (B.E.E.) Club, President of Westlake’s 21CLub, Women of Westlake Prowl Pride leader where she oversees fellow seniors, member of Computer Science Youth of America, National Honors Society, National BETA Club, and a 4year Girl’s Varsity Flag Football player. Maya’s multifaceted contributions and leadership roles encapsulates her exceptional blend of academic excellence, entrepreneurial drive, and heartfelt commitment to community service.

Maya’s GYLA Coach is Kelly Lee, Atlanta DREAM

ABIGAIL

Denmark High School, Class of 2025

Abigail Rong is the founder and president of Open Hands, Inc , a youth group serving children with and providing them with a place to enjoy thems and over 100 youth volunteers have served more th needs kids at Open Arms events. Abigail has vol 300 hours for special needs kids and received Presi

Volunteer Service Awards three times. She has raised over $2,000 for her organization and established a chapter within her school. Abigail found her passion for helping special needs children in 4th grade; later, in 2018, she helped set up a week-long summer mini camp for a special needs orphanage in China In 2019, she began volunteering with True Love for Special Need Families, a nonprofit providing support to kids with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and volunteered as an online tutor during the pandemic. In 2021, Abigail was inspired to lead a group of friends and initiated “Open Arms,” beginning with monthly events. Encouraged by positive responses, they began hosting Special Saturday events for special needs kids to have a fun afternoon every week Abigail loves music and acting, placing in many music competitions since 2020. She has been invited to perform in various community events including church Christmas events, Chinese New Years celebrations and other charity events. Throughout her years she has made waves as a singer, dancer, actor, philanthropist, 21CL Youth Ambassador, and, most importantly, a leader.

Abigail’s GYLA Coach is Monique Bell, Bobby Dodd Institute

HONEYBEE STUDIOS HONEYBEE STUDIOS

Event Photographer

Charlese Watson, Owner

Forward-Thinking

SHIV GARG

Innovation Academy, Class of 2026

Shiv Garg spent over 300 hours developing EyeAI, a low-cost and low-touch decision support system to diagnose ocular disease using artificial intelligence (AI) and a convoluted neural network image classification machine learning model. This tool enables physicians to make preliminary identification of ocular disease. To increase the accessibility of disease diagnosis, especially to aid

underserved communities, Shiv deployed his EyeAI model in a web-based application. His project, which he’s presented to over 1,200 people, won the Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Biotechnology Award and $500 grant at the Georgia Science & Engineering Fair. With a Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate and awards for innovation in the intersection of health and technology from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), FIRST Robotics, and the Sigma Xi division of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), he has served as a mentor at the Georgia Institute of Technology to instruct students in data science concepts and has led a hackathon to develop technologies to facilitate scientific study and research. Shiv further applies his knowledge as part of the Technology Student Association, Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society, Student Advisory Committee, and Biology Olympiad. Through his volunteer work, he earned the Presidential Volunteer Service Award in 2022. He aspires to earn a Ph.D in Computer Science and continue teaching others to leverage and love technology.

Shiv’s GYLA Coach is David Felfoldi, SHERPA Global

HUMZA IQBAL

Humza Iqbal is an entrepreneur and deeply passionate about helping others, guided by his faith. He firmly believes that even small acts of kindness can make a significant difference. Channeling his passion for philanthropy, Humza started his business “band2gether” in 2022, selling bracelets with positive messages on them and donating $364 of proceeds to Active Minds,

Parkview High School, Class of 2024 a nonprofit dedicated to promoting youth mental health. He expanded his enterprise, now selling clothing items, with a percentage of proceeds still supporting mental health organizations. Beyond his business, Humza is a servant leader in his school and community, serving as a volunteer and speaker at Noor Family Services, an organization that supports victims of domestic violence For over a decade he has collectedly volunteered at ICNA Relief, an organization providing aid and resources across 42 states, and at Helping Hand to support food and supply drives for communities in need. At school he is the Vice-President of the Muslim Student Association, where he fosters spiritual growth among members and deepens their understanding of Islam. His overarching goal is to cultivate a community where mental health discussions are open and encouraged. Additionally, Humza leads peers in the Junior Achievement 3DE program, which focuses on real-world business and marketing strategies. Humza finds fulfillment in giving back to his community, pursuing his passion for soccer, managing his business, and engaging in programs that develop him He remains committed to making a positive impact in his community and beyond.

Humza’s GYLA Coach is JP James, Libreum International, 21CL Board

OLAOLUWA OGUNEYE

Decatur High School, Class of 2024

Olaoluwa Oguneye is the founder of Hoop Legendz Basketball Camp and is an outspoken advocate and community leader. He is a varsity basketball player with aspirations to help solve world issues using computer science and engineering. Laulo founded Hoop Legendz Basketball Camp in 2021; in 3 years, the program - which offers summer camps, training, and special events supported by the pillars

of inclusivity, affordability, and fun - has generated over $16,000 in revenue and served over 120 youth As a Coca-Cola Scholar and a Georgia Certificate of Merit Recipient, Laolu is recognized throughout his community as a model of academic excellence and as an active voice in the Decatur minority community. As the co-founder of Beacon United, a nonprofit dedicated to nurturing the homeless population of metro Atlanta, he has served over 100 unhoused individuals with meals. His love for service is further displayed through his involvement as president of his school’s 350-member National Honor Society, and with organizations such as the Black Man Lab, Vox Atlanta, the Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta Word Works, and the Georgia Youth Justice Coalition. Laolu’s voice further stands out as an Atlanta Youth Poet Laureate Ambassador and as a 21CL Youth Ambassador. After high school, Laolu plans to study computer science and business, with future plans for entrepreneurship and civic engagement. He envisions himself becoming a beacon of hope for the underserved and underrepresented population of the world, and he will stop at nothing to trail-blaze his path to do just that.

Laolu’s GYLA Coach is Angela Williams, AMBSE

RHEA SHAH

Rhea Shah embodies the spirit of innovation and social responsibility through her diverse achievements and initiatives in STEM and education. In 2023 she founded Intent United Co., a nonprofit dedicated to bridging the gap in computer science education for underprivileged high school students in developing

Gwinnett School of Math, Science & Technology, Class of 2025 nations. Rhea recruited peers to provide virtual tutoring to five high school students in India, facilitating cross-cultural learning and access to computer science education. Locally, Rhea founded the Kidz Code club at Mason Elementary School; this initiative to teach programming to 4th grade girls using Hummingbird robotics has seen membership grow by 60%. For Rhea, it is not just about imparting technical skills but also about breaking gender stereotypes in STEM fields from an early age. Her leadership journey is marked by significant milestones, such as participating in 21st Century Leaders and UGA’s Accelerated Business Program, where she honed her leadership and business acumen and expanded her network with like-minded individuals from diverse backgrounds. Her commitment to empowering young women in technology and serving her peers is shown through her engagement with the Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program (SIP) and with Uplift, a nonprofit focused on youth mental health. As an intern at MAD-learn, she applies her creativity and technical skills to real-world projects. She leverages digital platforms for social good through a social media role at Georgia State University and managing SMILE NGO’s social media. As a team leader, founder of the dance group Amiti, and a 21CL Youth Ambassador, Rhea exemplifies the qualities of a future leader who is skilled in technology, deeply empathetic, and committed to positively impacting society. Rhea’s GYLA Coach is Anqi Zou, Truist, 21CL Board of Directors

KATHERINE IVY YANG

Alpharetta High School, Class of 2024

Katherine Yang co-founded “You & Me” in 2021 as a response to the mental effects of the pandemic on young people. You & Me is a youthled nonprofit whose mission is to utilize group members' talents to serve others in their community, with core values of integrity, respect, service, and excellence. You & Me hosts activities like dance, science labs, professional development, and fundraising to support

the nonprofit True Love. Katherine also founded Kids Toastmasters to teach public speaking to the participants of You & Me. She volunteers with Building Bridges, the North American Volunteer Association (the Sino-USA Next Generation Foundation) through which she helped raise $24,000 for public welfare initiatives, and as the Vice President of the MorningStar Dance Academy (MSDA) Boys and Girls Club, where she coordinates lessons for the club members and raised over $2,500 annually for Clark’s Christmas Kids and disaster relief. She was a software programming intern at Armatura USA and a Development Intern for the EduConnect Project at Liucas Technology and GA Tech. Katherine received the Gold President's Volunteer Service and Shine a Light Award in both 2021 and 2022, the Mjstase Young Achiever Award in 2022 and the North American Prominent Chinese High School Student Public Service Scholarship in 2023 An AP Scholar with Distinction and Super Honor Roll student, Katherine is also a 21CL Youth Ambassador and serves in numerous clubs, holding leadership positions in many. With a 13-year dedication to dance, Katherine has excelled in solo and ensemble competitions nationally and internationally, placing 1st at the Showstopper dance competition, at the YAGP and ADC/IBC regionals, and at the World Ballet Competition. She plans to major in Industrial Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology, where she is dual-enrolled, aiming for leadership in tech and beyond.

Katherine’s GYLA Coach is Greg Clay, City of Atlanta, 21CL Alumnus

Reece Robinson

Westlake

DJ BOOGIE REECE

DJ BOOGIE REECE

2023 Georgia Youth Leadership Awardee

We are dedicated to preserving our legacy and offering valuable programs for the next 35 years!

HELP US GET ONE STEP CLOSER TO A $1,000,000 ENDOWMENT FUND

This fund has the power to support the following each year

Fullyfundaone-week SummerLeadershipInstitute

Enroll500morestudents intoLeadershipConnect

Provide

20 seniors with college scholarships

ALUMNI KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Greg Clay

Executive Director, Mayor’s Office, City of Atlanta 21CL Alumni ‘00

“Because of this organization, I was exposed to new people, places, and leadership principles. I remind leaders and supporters like yourselves, that you can never discount the power of helping just one student.”

$100 - 1 ticket

$200 - 3 tickets

$300 - 5 tickets

$500 - 10 tickets

Raffle closes following dinner + winners will be drawn on stage

OUR WINE & SPIRIT WALL

Keep your spirits high with a guaranteed bottle of wine or spirits, ranging in value from $20 to $200+. Over 80% of the items are Georgia-based products!

OUR LIVE AUCTION

Get your "paddle" ready for three exciting live auction items up for grabs!

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Scan to view the live auction items! Did somebody say Usher tickets? Yeah!

@AmiraUnplugged

Amira Unplugged

Performing her original song, “Bleed Diamonds”

Check out her latest single “Gunsmoke and Mirrors” out now!

“21CL IS A VIBE” “21CL IS A VIBE”

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Take a listen to our

Take a listen to our curated curated 35th Anniversary Playlist on 35th Anniversary Playlist on Spotify, featuring top songs of Spotify, featuring top songs of each year since 1989! each year since 1989!

Amira Daugherty, 21CL Alumna ‘16

Presenting Sponsor

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In-Kind Support Inspiring

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

Devon Chin - Auctioneer License #