YBM & YBW Top Scholar Publication 2017

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 3

YBM & YBW Executive Staff

Eddie Harris Top Scholars Program Director

Shelleah Jackson YBW Ambassador Program Director

Andrea Jasper Executive Assistant

Christopher Land YBM Ambassador Program Director

Pamela Lue-Hing Top Scholar Consultant & Volunteer Coordinator

John Martin CEO, YBM & YBW Leadership Alliance

Tammy Martin Founder & Executive Director of YBW

Jaslyn Roberts HR Consultant / Operations Director

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 6

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 7

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 8

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 9

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 10

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 11

YBM & YBW Ambassador Program The YBM & YBW Ambassador program is the organization’s flagship platform.

Ambassadors are the face of the organization, personifying our commitment to student leadership, service, and education. The selection process for the program is highly competitive. We identify high school juniors with a GPA of 3.0 or higher who demonstrate leadership and participate in community service.

Our goals are to enhance each Ambassador’s leadership capacity, expose members to a range of colleges and universities, and ensure they are prepared to enter college.

Ambassadors have a 100% high school graduation rate, 98% college attendance rate, 2% military attendance rate and 97% first year college retention. The program has produced more than 65 Ambassadors attending 25 colleges and universities across the nation. As these young men matriculate through college, most serve as student leaders as early as their freshman year.

Program highlights: • 14 month leadership development program • Training includes Toastmasters, Personality Plus, The E’s of Networking, Steven Covey’s Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens • Ambassadors lead events and service projects • Ambassadors mentor elementary school students • 65 College Ambassadors and 31 High School Ambassadors

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 12

YBW Leadership Alliance Co-Founders Jalyn Martin High School: Mallard Creek GPA: 4.0 College Attending: UNC Greensboro Major: Speech Language Pathology Favorite Quote: “Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations.” - Author Unknown In ten years, I see myself as a successful speech therapist working at a local hospital. I want to work in Charlotte or the surrounding area. The first step of my ten-year plan is to attend the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and major in Communications Sciences and Disorders.

During my freshman and sophomore years, I will work hard and maintain at least a 3.0 GPA. I will join academic clubs related to my major so I can gain experience and mentors. During my junior year, I will apply to the Speech Pathology and Audiology department. Once I get into this department at UNCG I will enroll in the classes focusing specifically on my major and completing internships. Upon graduation, I will attend graduate school and complete the 300 hours of required handson experience before formally entering the profession. I will attend graduate school for two years. I will complete the 300 hours of required hands-on experience before formally entering the profession. After I graduate from graduate school, I will find a job at a local hospital and build my career from there. In ten years, I hope to have a family, be a successful woman, and most importantly, I want to be happy.

The most impactful lesson YBW has taught me is the importance of community service. I have learned to be humble and I am tremendously grateful for everything I have. Not only have I made a difference in my community, but I have also made one globally. YBW gave me the wonderful opportunity last summer to go on a mission trip to Port-au-Prince, Haiti. During the trip, we gave kids from local orphanages clothes and books. We also offered to wash their feet and we gave each child a new pair of shoes.

Also for the girls, we offered to paint their nails and donated previously-loved dresses to them. We also helped paint a local church and helped build a computer center where the kids would have a formal place to study. After spending five days in Haiti, I really got a feel for their culture and learned a great deal about their way of life. The small things that we take for granted every day - shopping at Walmart or eating a quick meal at McDonald’s - are luxuries the people in Haiti are not fortunate to have. This experience really opened my eyes to see how much I love helping and giving back.

As a co-founder of YBW, I would like to see the program impact girls not only in North Carolina but around the world. I want young black women to be confident and comfortable in the skin they are in. A primary vision I have for the program is to teach young girls of color how to prosper in various leadership roles. Exhibiting confidence and poise in public speaking is a skill every girl participating in YBW should take away from this opportunity. Public speaking is the number one phobia in America. In many instances individuals, especially young black women, are being overlooked and their voices are not being heard. In and through YBW, the voices of our young black women will be heard and no individual in the program should feel like a statistic. There is also a tremendous focus on college readiness. This opportunity has prepared me by exposing me to different colleges, resume building, and the college application process.

YBW has shaped me into the leader I am today and I hope it does the same for our future girls in the program!

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 15

YBW Leadership Alliance Co-Founders Lauren Merritt High School: Mallard Creek GPA: 3.5 College Attending: Winston-Salem State University Major: Nursing Favorite Quote: “The greatest gift of life is friendship, and I have received it.” – Hubert H. Humphrey Ten years from now, I envision myself using my degree to be a positive agent in the lives of others. By then, I will have graduated from Winston-Salem State University with a degree in nursing and will be working in the healthcare field. This was an obvious career path for me because I have always had a passion for helping others.

Working in healthcare provides countless opportunities to positively impact the lives of those in need. In addition, a career in the medical field can be very exciting with a fast-paced and sometimes chaotic work environment.

You must be able to think quickly and decisively while staying calm.

My goal is to become a neonatal nurse, treating treats sick newborns until they are discharged, even if it takes several months. I’ve always wanted to work in a hospital but becoming a neonatal nurse has been my passion ever since I took my first medical class in high school. My teacher was a retired nurse and told me the many benefits of working in the NICU. I’ve also had several opportunities to care for a neighbor’s young baby, which showed me I have the temperament, aptitude, and passion required to be a NICU nurse. A career in nursing will allow me to positively impact the lives of others by allowing me to give hope to people who may have lost it because of illness or failing health.

YBW provides a nurturing environment for me to be able to develop the skills and confidence required for me to be a strong and effective leader. As a founder and member of YBW, I have had several enriching opportunities that helped develop my leadership skills and improve my character. I have conducted two speaking engagements before elementary and middle school girls on leadership and preparing for high school. I co-authored a brochure for middle school girls entitled “YBW Guide to Becoming a Successful High School Student,” which was distributed to more than fifty middle school girls. I co-hosted two leadership luncheons which were attended by local government officials and many of Charlotte’s most prominent business and community leaders. I personally completed more than 75 hours of community service in one year by mentoring and tutoring second and third graders for eight weeks to help them improve their reading proficiency.

YBW has provided so many opportunities for me to grow personally, but none has had as profound an impact on me as our five-day mission trip to Port-au-Prince, Haiti. While there, we provided children with new shoes and donated clothes. I also helped set up a new computer learning center at an elementary school and helped paint a church. The trip has had a major impact on how I view the world and what my role is in it. I am so much more aware of the opportunities I have and the resources available to me to achieve my full potential. At the same time, I realize that I can play a role in helping those who are less fortunate than I am to achieve their full potential as well.

I used to only think of a college degree as a prerequisite for obtaining a job in my chosen career path. My experience with YBW has shown me that I can use my education, but also my skills and talents to make a difference in my local and global community.

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 16

YBW Leadership Alliance Co-Founders Chidera Udeh High School: Mallard Creek GPA: 4.0 College Attending: Marist College Major: Athletic Training/Physician’s Assistant Favorite Quote: “May the choices you make today be the ones you can live with tomorrow” - Author Unknown During the next ten years, I plan to have my college education fully completed and am working in a stable career. I will have completed my four years of undergraduate study at Marist College where I plan to major in athletic training. I chose to become an athletic trainer because I really enjoy helping treat and prevent injuries. Also, being an athletic trainer is a very hands-on career and I want to be able to make personal connections with people, especially athletes. After undergraduate school, I will return to college to become a Physician’s Assistant, specializing in orthopedics. Going back to school to advance my knowledge will give me an advantage in my chosen career field. Once I am completely done with my college education I hope to quickly obtain a job at a college or university where I can put my knowledge to use and work with a variety of college athletes.

The most impactful lesson that I have learned from being a part of YBW is that I am completely in control of my future. Through the various workshops and networking opportunities offered, I have realized that YBW provides me a wonderful and somewhat unique opportunity to craft the best version of myself. At YBW’s first big event, the Ladies in Leadership Conference, I was overwhelmed by the positive response and the number of attendees at the event. As I was going on stage as the first speaker, I realized how in control and confident I felt. I felt that way because my YBW mentors had sufficiently prepared me and given me the tools to speak and present myself in the best way. Having achievable goals is an important step in establishing your future and YBW put me on track to solidify the vision of what I want the rest of my life to look like. In my eyes, being in control of my future means that I am aware of my actions along with the rewards and consequences they bring. It is my responsibility to take full advantage of the many opportunities that are set in front of me. I am confident in myself and my ability to achieve the goals that I have set for myself. This life-changing experience called YBW is one that I am extremely thankful for and I know I couldn’t have become the person I am today without it.

I plan to give back to my community, now and in the future. I really enjoy working with special needs kids. Since elementary school, I’ve been a part of Special Olympics and Autistic Proms. Being a part of organizations serving special needs kids is how I plan to give back. I’ll be able to put my enthusiasm and energy to work and continue doing the type of community service I enjoy most. Hopefully, there is an organization at my college that works with special needs kids so I can become a member. But if there isn’t, I am confident I could start the club myself. I know that I’ll be involved in Special Olympics way beyond college because I feel it is the best way for me to give back to my community.

As a co-founder of YBW, I have high expectations for the future of the organization. I want the organization to have a lasting impact on the members. I know that they will attain knowledge and skills that they will be able to use for the rest of their lives, just like I have.

Leadership, academic excellence and community service comprise just the first layer of many important things they will learn. I expect every member who joins YBW will become a better individual in their personal life and community service. I know that the future for YBW and its members is bright.

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 17

YBW Leadership Alliance Co-Founders Paula Wambui High School: Mallard Creek High School GPA: 3.9 College Attending in the Fall: NC Agricultural & Technical State University Major: Computer Engineering Favorite Quote: “Love is something we learn; love is something we live; love grows as it is ‘forged’ by the concrete situations which each particular family experiences. Love is born and constantly develops amid lights and shadows.” – Pope Francis Thinking about my ten-year plan gives me a chance to analyze my future aspirations. In ten years, I will be 28 years old. I will have already attained my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in computer engineering. Of course, there are many different levels of success and various pathways to follow to become successful. When I think of ten years from now and what happens during that time, there are so many things to consider. I think of college, career, and community.

After high school, I plan to attend North Carolina A&T State University (NCA&T) and obtain my bachelor’s degree in four years. I will then pursue my graduate degree at the University of the District of Columbia.

Professionally, I would love to work for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). I want to be an FBI Expert working in the Cyber Security division. My community is very important to me. I know I will continue to serve my community during the next ten years and the community will also invest a lot in me. Understandably, it would then be my turn to make a personal investment into my community. I want to start a teen center for young people who have an interest in working for the government, perhaps the FBI. As I continue my career, I will continue to invest my time, insight and resources into my teen center.

YBW taught me the importance of a sisterhood. My three friends and I became closer than we were before through YBW. Our bond grew so much and we now reason with each other more efficiently. Many people who know me would often say I was not a very good “team member.” YBW showed me the importance of teamwork. I know employers look at how well employees cooperate with their coworkers. It was an important lesson for me to learn to work in a collaborative environment, not only with my YBW girls but also with the YBW boys. My fellow co-founders and I, along with the YBM Cohort V, planned many of the events that ran from 2016 through the 2017 school year. We had to work together and come up with different ideas to make these events successful. This was the experience I needed and, at the end of it all, it created a sense of achievement and strong camaraderie.

I hope YBW will change many lives the way that it has changed mine. One way I hope it could touch someone is through the components we created to make the program better. We set the foundation for the first YBW cohort. Without a good foundation, a built house will always crumble, no matter how sound the structure. As a co-founder, I hope to have set a sturdy foundation and maybe my impact on YBW will cause future members to enhance the organization, by not only making it grow but making it stronger.

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 18

YBM Leadership Alliance Cohort V Tobi Akinyelu High School: Ardrey Kell High School GPA: 4.8 College Attending: University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Preferred Major: Pre-med Favorite Quote: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me� - Philippians 4:13 I want to provide service to those in need through my profession. I want to be a neurosurgeon. I feel working as a medical professional will give me the opportunity to serve at a high level. People in need of a neurosurgeon are usually people with serious health problems. I would like to be able to provide my services specifically to the underprivileged. For this reason, I want to be in a position to provide free health services, where I live and in another country. My parents are from Nigeria and I would like to travel there in the future to provide medical care to those in need. There are millions of people in need of basic health services around the world. They lack medical care because of political or military conflict, poverty or a lack of resources. There are organizations that travel to thirdworld countries to provide medical care. I would like to be associated with one that travels to Africa in the future.

I was raised with several values of the Nigerian culture. I was taught that the most important aspect of life next to God is education. This has influenced much of my focus throughout my youth to achieve academic excellence, which I continuously strive to do. I plan to begin my education at UNC Chapel Hill as a pre-med major.

Following this degree, I will prepare for and pass my MCAT examination and begin my formal medical education at UNC. There is a long process I must complete before I am able to begin practicing as a surgeon, but I feel I can reach my goal. I also plan to study abroad so I can experience the cultures of another country. I want to support my parents and help my younger brothers as they begin their college education.

I also attempt to apply this principle of excellence in everything that I do. I have been interested in soccer for several years, playing since I was eight. Around ninth grade sparked my first interest in basketball sparked in the ninth grade and it was football in my junior year.

I am active in several community service projects and clubs both in and outside of school; including coaching a youth basketball team and volunteering at the health clinic in my church. I am a member of Operation Smile and Mu Alpha Theta (Math Honor Society).

I hope to impact the world around by reaching out to provide and to develop a new image about myself than what the society has placed upon me. YBM gives me the confidence to know I can do this. In my experiences as a YBM ambassador, I have learned the importance of prioritization and how it impacts the way our goals are completed. This methodology will serve me well in medical school. YBM Leadership Alliance helps me on the pathway to my goals by exposing me to several forms of global service and leadership, turning me into a well-rounded and centered man. I would like to thank YBM for providing me with such an opportunity and I cannot wait to learn more from the YBM family.

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 20

YBM Leadership Alliance Cohort V William Elmore High School: Phillip O Berry Academy of Technology GPA: 3.6 College Attending: East Carolina University Preferred Major: Business Administration Favorite Quote: “If you don’t build your dream, someone will hire you to build theirs” -Tony Gaskins The concept of giving back can cover many things. In addition to hands-on service like mission trips and community beautification, I plan to give back sentimental and intangible things like happiness and confidence.

This generation seems to lack both of those qualities and ironically they are two of the most important qualities in our society. For us to excel as the human race, happiness and confidence must be active in our community. We must have confidence in ourselves.

In four years, I will graduate from ECU and immediately enter The University Of South Carolina to obtain my MBA. I am an Honor Roll student in high school. I believe I will maintain academic prowess in college as well. After completing my formal education, I plan to work my way up the ladder of a Fortune 500 company and eventually become a CEO. My leadership skills began to grow by leading and planning events at my church where I am very active. I decided to join Junior Class Council at my school as a representative and I now serve as a student ambassador.

I have a long-standing interest in STEM and specifically in science. I like science so much I was an office assistant at a Charlotte-based eye doctor’s office. I have been so interested in STEM that one of my options for my college major had been biology. But as I’ve grown older and wiser, I have gravitated toward business; I am very passionate about my people. I am what people would call “ProBlack.” I know that the black race is beautiful and we can achieve anything beyond what society believes. When I first heard of YBM my sophomore year I knew that this organization was for me because it helps its members flourish into successful black men. The most impactful lesson I have learned is to not only strengthen your weaknesses but to also strengthen your strengths. Becoming a better person starts with your strengths.

I plan to utilize everything YBM offers and it will not only help me distinguish myself in high school, but years after that. I see the college ambassadors come back and assist with functions YBM has. When I see that level of commitment it lets me know that this organization has left an imprint on them. I know that YBM Leadership Alliance will open so many doors for me, making me not only a better leader but a better person as well.

I am very committed to YBM because I know the extent of what it can do for me and I thank God and everyone else who helped me get to where I am today. All I must do now is put in the time, the effort, and the passion to be successful in this society and this program can launch me to new heights.

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 21

YBM Leadership Alliance Cohort V Jabari Moore High School: Independence GPA: 4.3 College Attending: Appalachian State University Preferred Major: Biology Favorite Quote: “Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger” - James 1:19 I have had the opportunity to give back in several ways.

I served in the Discovery Place Museum Apprentice Leadership Program, a summer science and technology program for children. I also volunteered as a camp counselor for the Appalachian Summer Math Camp for underprivileged middle- school children. I’ve performed in nursing homes and in a homeless shelter with the Independence Jazz Band. I’m especially proud of the service project I created. The donation drive, “Off The Bat,” collected baseball equipment for underprivileged children in the Charlotte area. Promotion through two radio interviews and a magazine article really helped.

I have accumulated more than 600 hours of service to the community with these projects, and more. I plan to continue active volunteer work with YBM and other organizations while in college. I will be able to utilize the numerous resources on campus to find creative and new ways to impact the community in a positive way. I look forward to giving back on a greater scale.

When I was a kid, I always had a strong passion for science.

I used to predict weather patterns for the week just by looking at the clouds. This love of science continued through my life and is an important component of my ten-year plan. My ten-year plan is quite simple, but the road to this plan will be extremely difficult. I plan to enroll in Appalachian State’s “Accelerated Admissions Program. This five-year program provides an expedited pathway to a master’s degree. Consequently, in ten years, when I am 28, I will have my master’s degree in biology and will be working toward, or will have completed a second degree in biomedical engineering. These rigorous programs will require hard work and dedication. With these degrees, I will be able to design and create medical equipment to maximize the efficiency of hospitals. These devices will also cost less than comparable devices now in use. This will provide me an effective way to give back to the community and pursue my passion with biology.

Throughout my time with YBM, I have learned many valuable lessons. I have learned the value of networking and how to effectively network, ways to simplify and conquer public speaking, and how to plan big and small events. I have personally hosted two events; the Wealth Summit and the Community Engagement Luncheon. I was forced to think on-the-spot and find solutions to problems and through the assistance of YBM members, my events were successful. I have met many great people through networking and at other events. I have met people I know I can contact throughout college. I met someone who encouraged me to secure an internship at Bank of America Student Leader program. When connections like these are nurtured, they can grow into opportunities to better oneself and help others. Helping to plan events has given me the confidence to start and organize events of my own. The skills I have gained and the lessons I have learned through YBM are valuable and have prepared me for the future.

YBM does more than just prepare us for life, it prepares us to be successful and flourish throughout life and stand out among others.

YBM jump-starts and propels our leadership and problem-solving skills before we go to college so we will be able to conquer whatever challenges we face in college and beyond.

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 22

YBM Leadership Alliance Cohort V D’Wan Morrison High School: Phillip O. Berry Academy GPA: 3.4 College Attending: North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University Preferred Major: Computer Science Favorite Quote: “Life isn’t about each moment you take a breath but each breathtaking moment.” - Unknown Giving back is a concept I find extremely important. I’ve adopted the idea that a person should not only remember their roots, but water them as well. Being someone who wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth, I know first-hand how important it is to give back and to help others. Throughout the YBM Ambassador program, I’ve learned that I am effective only when I’ve taken what I have learned and shared it with others. I want to make sure that before I try to help others, I help myself. I believe seeing that something can be done brings forth assurance and confidence. I want to be able to set a standard of achievement for those coming behind me to follow.

After setting an example of success, I want to financially support low-income neighborhoods and schools, provide food and life necessities to those in need, as well as spend time with whoever is really trying to find success and stability. In all that I do, I want to ensure that I set a standard, become a good example for others, and above all, water my roots.

I have always had a bit of an issue with establishing my future goals after college. I know that I want to pursue entrepreneurship. The only dilemma I’m having is deciding what type of business I should own. However, I do know that whatever business I start and/or own, I will primarily try to supply jobs for minority ethnic groups. Aside from my indecisiveness as it relates to my entrepreneurship, I know that in ten years I want to have started a family and I am living the way that the Bible instructs me. I know that “No good thing will HE withhold from those that diligently seek HIM.” In ten years, my goal is to be a great husband and father that not only protects his family but his community as well. I want to be successful, and that to me means a lot of different things. I want my family to never be in need, and my community to know that there is someone who cares and had the heart to serve and love.

There are a lot of lessons I have learned throughout my time in the Ambassador Program. I have learned how to network and how to play golf. Of all the things I have learned, I must say walking with a purpose has been that most impactful. Though this may seem like a concept that is so simple and maybe some may think ineffective, it has been very instrumental in preparing me for what is to come next in my life.

The idea of walking with a purpose is much more than just reaching the desired destination at a fast pace. This idea means approaching everything with drive, motivation, and intent. There is no time to be lackadaisical or slothful. Moving with a purpose is the mindset that motivates me to try as hard as I can to fulfill tasks and exceed expectations. Mr. Land says, “Even if you don’t know where you’re going, walk with a purpose.” This tells me I can OWN any space I am in. I just have to present myself with confidence and assurance – and believe in myself.

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 23

YBM Leadership Alliance Cohort V Trent Moyer High School: Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology GPA: 3.8 College Attending: East Carolina University Preferred Major: Undeclared Favorite Quote: “When you’ve bitten off more than you can chew, just keep chewing”- Kwain Bryant For me, success is not defined my how much money I will make, or the degrees I reach. My success is defined by the lives I touch, not only on a physical level, but also emotionally. I have always told myself to not take the smallest things for granted because someone in the world doesn’t have the same luxuries that I am blessed to have. I plan on giving back by working to provide people all around the world water, food, and prayer. I plan on traveling the world on mission trips to not only feed and clothe individuals, but to pray for them and emotionally touch the people I encounter.

In ten years, I will have graduated from East Carolina University and North Carolina Central University’s law program with a degree in law. I want to practice civil law, defending those who aren’t heard; black males specifically.

Society has placed such a dark connotation with the black man that it is sickening. Men are often not heard when it comes to their fate in sentencing and are all to often unjustly sentenced. Men are in jail for years for small misdemeanors when our Caucasian counterparts walk with community service. In ten years, I will be litigating for people who are not heard.

The most impactful lesson I have learned from YBM is to never settle for less. As YBM Ambassadors, we have been trained to always go for the gold in any interaction, whether it is with a school principal, or a millionaire business person. You never know from first glance who you are conversing with. YBM has taught me many valuable lessons concerning leadership including the way you approach individuals in conversation, to the way to conduct yourself in a professional meeting. I will take these skills and apply them to all leadership positions I will hold - not only in college, but also in life.

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 24

YBM Leadership Alliance Cohort V Destyn Peoples High School: Phillip O. Berry GPA: 4.5 College Attending: Davidson College Preferred Major: Pre-Med/Biology Favorite Quote: “Never allow a person to tell you no who doesn’t have the power to say yes.” - Eleanor Roosevelt I plan on becoming a prominent but affordable orthopedic specialist in my community. I want to be a physician who relates to my patients on a level deeper than treating the injury. I want to be someone who offers a listening ear and provides life lessons to each person I encounter in my exam room. I feel if I can set an example by becoming as established and trusted healthcare specialist, it will make it easier for others who follow to feel that they can also reach heights they once thought were unattainable. I want to be someone who doesn’t just show how it looks to succeed, I want to provide assistance for those who have a dream. I’d like to provide early exposure and experience in the medical field to those who would not have the opportunity otherwise. Just working a part-time job in my office could inspire a future goal. I would also like to provide internships for students who are studying in my area of medicine.

While attending Davidson College, I plan to embed myself into the school environment and become a student who makes a difference on campus. I see my participation as a member, and ultimately an officer in the Student Government Association and perhaps another form of leadership. In whatever I do, YBM will be wellrepresented and modeled. I take my responsibility as a YBM Ambassador seriously. I don’t want to simply attend college, I want to be a real leader in college. This will be preparation for my role in society after I complete my higher education.

After finishing my undergraduate at Davidson, I will continue in medical school and focus on my residency with a specialty in orthopedics. I also plan to find time during my studies to become a published author before finishing my medical journey. I feel what I endure and achieve can be an inspiration to others. My lifelong goal is to have my own private practice.

One of the many important lessons I have learned during my valuable YBM experience is that you can learn something useful from anyone and everyone. But to recognize the lesson, you have to always be on your game and treat people the same. If you give respect and interest, they will give you a valuable life lesson, no matter how small it may seem. You never know from first glance who you could who you are conversing with, what they can do for you, and more importantly what you can do for them. So many days go by with us not helping anyone, not realizing we are interacting with someone who needs something. That need might be something as simple, but also encouraging as a hug. Too often we get caught up in the size of what we can do for another and it keeps us from acting. YBM has taught me that the measure of the action does not necessarily equal the magnitude of the impact it has. Some of the smallest actions can mean the world to the people around you.

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 25

YBM Leadership Alliance Cohort V Cameron Reddig High School: Independence High School GPA: 3.4 College Attending: University of North Carolina Greensboro Preferred Major: International Buisness Favorite Quote: “A comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there.”- Unknown I plan on giving back by continuing my community service in Charlotte and then taking it internationally.

While I am at UNC Greensboro, I would like to expand YBM Greensboro with the assistance of my ambassador brother, Harold Lowe. When I get older and achieve my a level of success, I want to start a foundation for kids with special needs. Former NFL quarterback and now baseball player, Tim Tebow travels around the United States and the world throwing parties for special needs kids. I would like to follow in his footsteps and have a prom-like party for special needs kids around the globe with a mixture of volunteers who would like to help. This is a dream of mine that will eventually come to life by the time I hit 35. I want to get it started around that time period because I will still be young, and I feel I will have a solid foundation for me to keep the program “on point” and giving these kids a memorable experience.

My ten-year plan starts this fall with me going to college.

I plan to major in international business and receive my bachelor’s degree. While I am in school I would like to train in boxing which has been a long passion of mine. I have a particular interest in competitive boxing and a part of me wants to pursue that avenue after undergraduate school. If I am not able to do anything in boxing then I will go back to school to receive my master’s degree at either Ohio State University or Virginia Commonwealth University. I am also interested in obtaining a Ph.D. in leadership. Although I am not sure exactly what I will be doing for a living in the world of business and finance, I do know that education is the key to success. So, I would like to achieve the highest level of education as possible.

The most impactful lesson I have learned from YBM is to do all things with a purpose. It is one of the first lessons I learned when I joined YBM. YBM was doing a community service event in Johnson C. Smith and a park nearby picking up trash, cleaning the area. I was walking and I was unsure of where I was going and Mr. Land told me, “Although you are unsure, walk with a purpose.” This means to walk like you are a leader and that you know your end goal. If you walk as if you are unsure or with a lazy attitude, people will not follow. When you are talking with a purpose people will gravitate towards you more than if you are talking with a low tone and clueless.

As a leader, everything you do has to have a purpose behind it. Without purpose, you have nothing and you will end up following someone whose purpose may not be in line with your goals. Of course, I know everyone cannot lead. But YBM has shown me I want to be, I can be, and I will be the leader. I have a purpose and a goal.

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 26

YBM Leadership Alliance Cohort V Justin Roddey High School: Mallard Creek GPA: 4.0 College Attending: East Carolina University Preferred Major: Finance Favorite Quote: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts” - Winston Churchill As a young black male in this world, it is extremely important to give back. I plan on being a philanthropist and give back to the more impoverished cities and communities.

I also want to stay involved with YBM in college and after I complete my formal education and when I am a working professional. It is important to help be a leader and mentor for the young men who come after me.

Over the next ten years, I plan on graduating from East Carolina University in four years with a major in financial management and minor in sports communication. After I complete my college career I plan on becoming an investment banker for a major banking company in either New York City or Charlotte. I chose this path because I’ve always had a passion for business. Learning how to manage money interests me and being able to make money managing other people’s money is an attractive prospect for me.

While I am building my professional life, I will not forget my obligations to my community. Wherever I am building my professional life, I will work to become a leader in my community and work hard to help rejuvenate the inner city.

There have been many impactful lessons that I have learned throughout my time with YBM. But the biggest message that I take from being a YBM Ambassador is the importance of always working hard towards your goals and aspiration. Through YBM, we have met a lot of successful people who are active in various professions.

But no matter what they are – doctor, lawyer, politician, business owner - the one thing they all have in common has been their obvious interest in the members of YBM and a desire to share their knowledge with us. And it is our responsibility to absorb everything they share. When I am in a position of authority, I will do the same.

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 27

YBM Leadership Alliance Cohort V Nathaniel Smith High School: South Mecklenburg GPA: 4.2 College Attending: East Carolina University Preferred Major: Business Marketing Favorite Quote: “Don’t tell me the sky’s the limit when there are footprints on the moon.” - Paul Brandt I have often heard classmates say they are doing community service because they have to get 15 hours for Honors Society, or that they’re doing it for college. For me, community service is so much more than mandatory hours or a resume builder. Community service is a way to give back the blessings you have received and to receive blessings from someone else. When I was a junior in high school, I tutored underprivileged elementary students.

And don’t get me wrong, at first I logged all of my hours and documented everything, but I soon stopped. I didn’t stop to make myself feel better. I stopped because I was too focused on making a difference in these kid’s lives to remember to document the time with them. When I first arrived, I thought most of these kids lacked reading, math, and social skills. But I soon realized that what they lacked was the confidence to achieve these things, and it immediately reminded me of myself when I was young.

So, not only did I help them gain the confidence to read aloud in class or talk to the other students; they taught me something. They taught me that not everyone is the same and you can’t judge people before you get to know them.

Because of this experience, my plan to give back includes helping kids worldwide who are struggling financially, emotionally, or socially. I feel no one should ever feel out of place or left behind.

My ten-year plan is to be successful. Even though too many people feel success means having a large amount of money, success to me means enjoying life with my family and staying true to my principles. I will have graduated from East Carolina University with a Master’s in Business Marketing. I chose this major because I’m exceptional with my math skills and I love talking to people. I enjoy hearing about their life journey and just connecting with them. Also, my company, LooseChange, which was launched in March 2017, will be thriving and contributing to the community. I want to fulfill wish lists for patients in the Levine Children’s Hospital, prepare back-to-school backpacks for many underprivileged elementary students, and more. In order to achieve my plans, I need to stay focused in college by keeping my grades up, having a good and secure friend group, and keeping a clear vision of what I want to be and achieve in life.

When I began my association with YBM, I was someone who didn’t believe in his full potential. I was someone who thought highly of others, but not myself. I was someone who lacked fearlessness. Now? Now, I’m a man ready to annihilate and master any challenge given, and I will prove that I’m not someone to be doubted. YBM has shown me that no challenge is too big to be conquered. Th rough a series of networking events, community service events, and trainings, YBM has molded me into someone I never thought I could become. YBM has given me results that continue to push me to do better, whether that’s mentally, physically, socially, or emotionally.

People look up to me now and ask me for advice! This is a shocking reversal because I have always been the one looking up to others. So, if I could choose the most impactful lesson learned from YBM, it would be that you have to believe in yourself before others believe in you. This means that you have the confidence in yourself to achieve, to succeed, and to prosper. Thank you, YBM Leadership Alliance, for making me that man!

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 28

YBM Leadership Alliance Cohort V Miles Thompson High School: Performance Learning Center GPA: 3.5 College Attending: Morehouse College Preferred Major: Biology Favorite Quote: “I am who I am, because of what we all are.”- Ubuntu Community service is very important to me. As a high school student, I have participated in many community service and outreach programs around Charlotte. I have tutored third graders, prepared and served meals at a men’s shelter, and am very active in my church. While at Morehouse, I plan to continue my service in the Atlanta community. I want to be a tutor at KIPP Path Academy, a notable local charter school, where I will help the students enrolled there to reach their bright potential. My favorite community service project was the YBM/YBW mission trip that I took to Haiti with Samaritan’s Feet. I plan to take more mission trips during my summer breaks with YBM. I play AAU basketball with the Carolina Defenders and find it to be a growth experience. In the far future, I want to build my own AAU basketball team focused on academic and athletic excellence. I will focus on helping to get my student athletes into college. I will instill in them the realization that a formal education is a key to a successful future and a career in athletics is a rarity.

My team will have study hall and tutoring before every practice and tournament because I intend to create a standard of greatness among my players - on and off the court.

Over the next ten years, I will work towards becoming an embodiment of black excellence and a guide for others who come after me.

My goal is to do my part to help remove the negative stigma placed upon young black children and to aid in the union of our society.

My ideology stems from the “Ubuntu” proverb that I learned when I was very young, but now I apply it to my daily walk. I will attend Morehouse College in the fall of 2017 to major in biology. I am in the National Honor Society now and I plan to continue academic excellence in college. After my undergraduate term, I plan to enroll in the Morehouse School of Medicine and graduate in six years with a concentration in orthopedics. Eventually, I want to have a career in sports medicine.

The most important lesson I have learned through YBM is that it is my civic duty to pay my blessings forward in the form of service.

Our first event as Cohort V Ambassadors wasn’t a gala, a networking event, or a fancy photo shoot. The very first thing we did together as a group was a park cleanup project with the Chris Canty Foundation. We were told from the beginning of our YBM association that service is used to show humility and to express gratitude for the grace and mercy God has shown us all.

Two of our YBM pillars are service and leadership. I have learned you must have a heart full of caring responsibility if you hope to be a good leader. I’d like to think I convey that attitude in school and community leadership positions I am in now. This attitude compels me to be fair and compassionate while showing others the way. A leader needs to understand those individuals they want to guide and try to walk in their shoes to see how it feels. Then, you can lead in a manner that they can and will want to follow.

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 29

YBM Leadership Alliance Cohort V Davion Washington Jr. High School: South Mecklenburg High School GPA: 3.9 College Attending: Middle Tennessee State University Preferred Major: Political Science Favorite Quote: “I don’t know defeat” - Davion Washington Jr. I am a person who gets involved in programs and activities I like. This year I am involved in ten different activites at school. A few of my obligations include playing tuba in the school symphony, managing our award-winning poetry club, singing tenor in the school chorus, and I’m the president of our school’s NAACP chapter. I have to admit I sometimes wrestle with fitting it all in. But I manage.

I plan to work diligently in college in order to graduate with honors. I will participate in the student government association and create an NAACP Chapter at my university as well. I will work hard to pursue my masters and doctorate degrees in political science. My degree will open many opportunities for me and I would ideally like to work my way up as a politician by starting in local government. I can see myself running for mayor, governor, senator, and maybe even the President of the United States one day. I hope to see my Website, readthecrown.com, flourish and prosper as a major news outlet in North Carolina and beyond. I hope to start my career and give back to my family through that medium. I want to buy my mother a home in Rock Hill and support the family I hope to have.

I plan to give back through my work as a politician. I want to make this country a better place for all individuals by working hands-on to improve the many laws that affect its people. I want to make America a country in which all of its citizens feel safe, nurtured and validated. I want to give back by helping young people. I have always wanted to start an organization geared towards mentoring and guiding minority females, somewhat like the YBM and YBW Top Scholars program, but a bit more open. I feel many females and minority groups in this country have a great deal of opposition pitted against them and that our minority females are often overlooked.

I want to be the change I’d like to see in America, and I will stop at nothing to accomplish that.

The biggest lesson that I have taken away away from YBM is learning the “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People,” from Mr. Reddig.

The first step, “Be Proactive,” stuck with me the most. Following these lessons, I’ve deveoped a new outlook on life. I come from a harsh background. I have often been unable to handle the difficult things that have taken place in my life. Following the seven habits lesson from Mr. Reddig, I see things a lot differently and more optimistically. I began to change a lot of my old ways. Senior year has been a very long and challenging year, admittedly some of it my own doing, but each morning I remind myself to remain proactive and continue to look for ways to adapt to the many issues and obstacles around me. I can personally say that this lesson has helped me get through many tough situations this year. Thank You, YBM!

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 30

YBM Leadership Alliance Cohort V Ziddell Yala High School: Cato Middle College High School GPA: 5.0 College Atending: UNC Chapel Hill Preferred Major: Biology Favorite Quote: “I know where I’m going and I know the truth, and I don’t have to be what you want me to be. I’m free to be what I want.” - Muhammad Ali Through my time as a YBM ambassador, I have learned the importance of supporting the community that raised me and they have supported me in return. I feel it is important for every community member to support each other so I plan to give back to my community using the YBM method of service. Even as I get ready for college, I will be a mentor to the next generation of black scholars.

Being a mentor is akin to becoming a role model. As time goes on, more and more young black men are looking up to the wrong black men who never show support to their supporters. I used to have the mindset of doing what is best for myself and only supporting my future. Service taught me what it means to support a brighter future for the bigger picture: my community. Also, as a future physician, I plan to volunteer my time in free clinics for people who can’t afford health insurance and premium doctor services. Service does not end after high school. I plan to always help those less fortunate achieve a brighter tomorrow.

My ten-year plan is to graduate with a degree in biology in four years, attend medical school, and begin a residency program. Currently, I am on my way to graduating high school with 52 college credits. I can get a jump-start on my college education and possibly begin as a sophomore. Whether I choose to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill or Emory University, I know I will receive a top-notch education to increase my knowledge and skillset. While in college, I plan to increase my network by using the extensive networking skills I gained as an ambassador. Surrounding myself with success-oriented individuals is key to achieving my goals. Joining different clubs, studying abroad, experiencing the new and learning from the old, are important components to advancing my plan. At the same time, I will learn to better balance studies with fun. I have learned too much or too little focus on this ten-year plan and not live the present can cause me to lose sight of the details or completely veer off the path of success.

The most impactful lesson I learned from YBM is the lesson of humility. This was an important part of our G.R.E.A.T training.

G.R.E.A.T is an acronym I created to represent how we were trained to accept an award in any situation. It stands for Greet, Recognize, Edify, Accept, and Thank. G.R.E.A.T. also reminds me to be more humble and thankful for the small things I receive in life. Before becoming a YBM Ambassador, I was never really held to the high esteem that I am now. I always doubted myself. If something good came my way, I would take it without recoginzing its importance. That has changed. This goes back to service because many people think service is what you can get out of people who you support. I used to be that person. Using G.R.E.A.T as a guide, I have grown in confidence because with life’s uncertainties, like being called up for an award you did not expect, I know the importance of accepting those moments in stride and with humility instead of an open hand. That appreciative attitude goes a long way.

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 31

YBW Leadership Alliance Cohort I Nilaja Brown-Roberts High School: Phillip O Berry Academy of Technology GPA: 4.1 Colleges of Interest: • Howard University • Hampton University • Clark Atlanta University Preferred Major: Broadcast Journalism Favorite Quote: “I want to grow. I want to be better. You grow. We all grow. We’re made to grow. You either evolve or you disappear.” - Tupac Shakur I am originally from Newport News, Virginia. Newport News is a small town filled with people with small dreams.

My mother recognized that and decided she wanted more for her children, which is how I ended up in Charlotte.

Moving here at age seven was a bit of culture shock; people here were raised with a different perspective.

These differences made it hard for me to make friends.

So, I assimilated and took on the behaviors of others, I developed a clouded moral code for a long time. I got into trouble because of it. It wasn’t until I entered high school did I recognize the ignorant bliss I was in. Once I recognized it, I decided that I would realize my potential and develop it. I changed my ways.

Ever since that realization, I have been extremely cautious about who I allow entrance into my life. In YBW, I am surrounded by positive and supportive people.

I am not afraid to speak my mind and shed light on popular misconceptions. My journey through life so far has inspired me to want to become a broadcast journalist.

Let me be clear, I do not want to be a news reporter. I want to have a platform like the one Oprah had with her daily series. I want to show children and adults alike that there is power in being conscious and different. I want to shake the world up so that I can make it a better and a more equitable place for everyone.

YBW offers me an avenue for growth and change. I am proud to be with YBW at the start of its journey. I hope that in addition to learning, I will also pave the way for those who follow in the program. There is so much to learn and so much to share. I am thankful for the opportunity to do both.

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 33

YBW Leadership Alliance Cohort I Ava Burgess High School: Mallard Creek GPA: 4.2 College Interests: • North Carolina A&T State University • NC State University • Georgia Tech Univeristy Planned Major: Biomedical Engineering Favorite Quote: “Nothing is impossible. The word itself says I’m possible!” - Audrey Hepburn I have a younger twin sister, Andira. My parents said that as a newborn I would never take naps. They say I always acted like I had people to see and places to go! I think I just always had to keep my eyes open to see something new and not miss what was happening. I probably kept an eye on my baby sister, too. This early take-charge characteristic helped me develop into the ambitious, determined, enthusiastic, and energetic individual I am today!

Growing up in Charlotte, my parents raised my sister and me to be well-rounded, giving, and sincere in everything we do. We were told to strive for excellence. From an early age, I always valued volunteering and community service because of their example. I learned from closely observing them that the key to a thriving community comes from the endeavors of its citizens. This has inspired me to take the initiative toward helping my community. I volunteer to help Spanish-speaking students with homework and I serve on the CMS Educational Reform Panel. I want to help make the public-school experience the best it can be.

At around the age of nine, I decided I wanted to contribute to medicine and influence how patients’ lives were being improved. My youngest sister’s critical medical condition led to my desire. For more than a decade, my family and I were in and out of various hospitals seeking answers and a cure for my sister. I felt angry, helpless, and useless. I thought about possible solutions and adjustments I could possibly make to improve the quality of her life. Even though I couldn’t carry out those ideas, I started to watch those who did help. She is almost 100% cured now and is in the tenth grade. Over time, I felt I could be a part of a change! Perhaps I could find a cure or treatment of the unknown in the future.

Proficiency in math and science inspired me to want to build devices to improve healthcare so I pursued engineering as it relates to medicine, making it more efficient and effective. The execution of my passion also earned a current Junior Volunteer position at Novant Health Presbyterian Hospital.

After graduating from the Academy of Engineering at Mallard Creek, I plan to obtain my bachelor’s and master’s in biomedical engineering and eventually a Ph.D. in a related area. I want to be the best student I can be. I will look for new and innovative ways to improve everyday life and remain an avid volunteer. I believe I will achieve my goals and I pray I will be able to continue to lend a smile and a listening ear to those who need them.

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 34

YBW Leadership Alliance Cohort I Angel Carrington High School: Mallard Creek High School GPA: 3.8 College Interests: • Howard University • Hampton University • Spelman College.

Planned Major: Business Administration Favorite Quote: “While one person hesitates because he/ she feels inferior, the other is busy making mistakes and becoming superior.” - Henry C. Link” I grew up in fast-paced Atlanta, but life seemed to pass me by. I grew up being honest, obedient, and a go-getter.

I was honored to win the Peace-Gardens award two years in a row in my elementary school. There is a plaque in the garden with my name on it today because of my extensive work in the garden. I loved seeing the result of my efforts.

Growing up, I did not know for sure what I wanted to do, nor was I truly confident of my own talents. I remembered as a kid having a passion for art. My eight-year-old mind was interested in the abstract details of art. I did not recognize drawing was my own specialty until I was in the sixth grade. I had drawn my mother’s friend from observing and analyzing his own features. My art teachers vigorously complimented my ability to see art in a new form and were eager to see what new piece I would create.

My passion for drawing morphed into a love for numbers.

I was stronger in math than others and it seemed was the only one who truly loved it. I knew I had a purpose for numbers from the time I was the only one in my fifthgrade math class who could complete a 100-question multiplication and division math quiz in under a minute. I was also always going the extra mile to improve my math skills. Every day, I would come home running off the bus to show my mother what new skill I had learned in my math class that day. Those early interests led to the career choice I want to pursue.

My desires lead me to attend Howard University as my first choice to study business administration and graphic designing after I graduate from Mallard Creek next year. Going to an HBCU will give me the exposure and experience I seek. I would like to open my own business one day and still be able to involve art in the picture. I do not have a clear vision of what I want to physically do because I’m very artistic and frankly, it changes each day. I just hope whatever I decide to do will allow me to be financially stable and give me the chance to help others. I also hope I will be able to learn more about myself and continue to prosper as well.

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 35

YBW Leadership Alliance Cohort I Jasming B. Jones High School: Davidson Day School GPA: 4.2 Colleges of Interest: Spelman College University of Chicago New York University Preferred Major: Biomedical Engineering Favorite Quotation: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” - Maya Angelou I was born in Gastonia, but I was raised jockeying between Charlotte and New York City. The southern moral values of North Carolina juxtaposed with the individualistic and fast-paced lifestyle of New York created the young woman I am today. As a child, I watched my mother and various relatives pursue their careers in the medical field. Before dawn every Saturday morning I woke up, got dressed, and sat on my staircase while I waited for my mother who always attempted to leave to go to the hospital without disturbing anyone in the house, especially me. My exposure to the medical arena at very young age sparked my passion for science. For example, by the age of five, I knew every aspect of Presbyterian Hospital located in Charlotte.

During the upcoming years, I will pursue a career in the field of medicine specializing in Plastic Reconstructive Surgery. I want to allow my passion for art to benefit the global health need. I also plan to volunteer my services to help deformed youth in foreign underserved communities in need of medical attention. This will allow me to serve all people, not just those who are financially privileged. To transform this dream into a reality I plan to major in Biomedical Engineering and continue in medical school. Upon graduation from medical school and my residency, I plan to open a private practice that will eventually become self-sustainable. At that point in my life, I will work to take my services to the international arena and share my talents with others.

Albert Einstein said, “The only source of knowledge is experience.” I plan to share my life journey with others so that they will not make the same mistakes I am certain to make. My ultimate goal in life is to encourage the next generation of future international scientists. When people ask me what would I change about the world, I respond by explaining how I want the world to share the power of knowledge with everyone. Therefore, in my life, I plan to begin the “trend” of sharing knowledge throughout the world, one surgery session at a time.

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 36

YBW Leadership Alliance Cohort I Nia Lewis High School: Mallard Creek High School, GPA: 4.1 College Interests: • Winston Salem State University • Spelman College • North Carolina A&T University Preferred Major: Mass Communications Favorite Quote: “You have to be twice as good as them, to get half of what they have.” –“Scandal” Growing up in the heart of Kansas, I have always valued authenticity, self-respect, and determination. I have always been hard working and determined my entire life. I have played the violin since the fourth grade and each year I have improved. I transitioned from being in Concert Orchestra to Symphonic Orchestra in just one year. I also would love to continue doing music when I’m older by becoming a music teacher. I am focused.

I have always had the desire to pursue a career in public speaking. My mother once told me, that I had a “full-on conversation before I even started walking” when I was a child. My dream job is becoming a successful public speaker and a news anchor. I plan on making my dream a reality by staying grounded, humble, and stepping out of my comfort zone. I know I have reached my goal of success when I’m capable of taking care of myself and helping others.

I’ve always been taught to give back to the people who have helped me along the way and that’s what I plan to do.

Also, it is better to give than to receive and I live by this scripture. I aspire to be a giver, lover, and a friend to all. I’m not only an ambassador. I am a friend, daughter, lover of God, and a young black female who will be successful.

This opportunity to be a part of such a dynamic organization is a great gift and I plan to make the most of the tremendous experience.

I will grow and mature to become a woman who accomplishes much and gives more.

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 37

YBW Leadership Alliance Cohort I Logan Long High School: Mallard Creek High School GPA: 4.9 College Interests: • Furman University • Mercer University • Winston-Salem State University Preferred major: Public Health Favorite Quote: “Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit. We are all the same in this notion: The potential for greatness lives within each of us.” -Wilma Rudolph I was born in Charlotte. While I have never been out of the country, I have had the opportunity to visit many states while participating in travel volleyball. I want to see the world, but I am fond of my hometown. I plan to go off to college and live the college experience. But ultimately, I would love to return to Charlotte to embark upon my career. Yes, I am a paradox.

I hope to major in public health and attend medical school to pursue a profession as an ophthalmologist. I have worn glasses for as long as I can remember. In seventh grade, I created a 3-D scale of the glasses I wore at the time.

They were displayed in the media center for the year. In eighth grade, started wearing contacts because of sports.

My time in the optometrist office spurred my interest in vision care. I’m in the optometrist office every six months getting a new prescription. With each new prescription, my vision gets clearer, and I appreciate the profession even more.

I thought of Optometry School, but on average an ophthalmologist makes three times as much in salary. But it is not about the money, because I know I could be happy with either choice. It is more about the time commitment. One profession will require 4 years after undergraduate school and the other will require 10 to 12 additional years of schooling. I sometimes wonder if I’m up for the challenge.

But I think of my favorite quote and I know I’m destined for greatness, if I put in the work.

As much as I love academics, I still have a passion for volleyball. I am fortunate that my parents could fund my extracurricular activities, but I know many kids do not have this opportunity. Volleyball is played in school, but exposure to colleges are established at the club level. I would like to start a nonprofit club in an impoverished area that will teach volleyball fundamentals to elementary kids, provide league teams to middle school kids, and make travel teams affordable to kids in high school. We play some high school teams with incredible athletes, but they lack volleyball basics. Most likely it is because they only touch the ball the three months of high school volleyball season. Great players need to harness their craft all year long. I would love to be instrumental in providing a place to make this happen.

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 38

YBW Leadership Alliance Cohort I Desiree Lucas High School: Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology GPA: 4.9 College Interests: • Hampton University • Howard University • North Carolina Central University Planned Major: Communication Sciences and Disorders Favorite Quote: “Maturity is achieved when a person postpones immediate pleasures for long term values.” Joshua L. Liebman I am a dreamer, a learner and a go-getter. I was introduced to books at a very young age and each book I read becomes a part of me. I remember sitting at the kitchen table copying words my mom had written for me to learn and then recognizing those words later in books I read.

This ignited my passion for language and linguistics, which grew as I progressed academically. After doing some research in middle school, I discovered SpeechLanguage Pathology and decided this would be my future occupation.

In addition to my love for words and reading, I have an interest in investigating different cultures. These interests will serve me well in college and in my chosen career. Language is such an instrumental aspect of so many cultures it would be neglectful not to explore its many characteristics. Even more significant is the impact language has on different relationships and connections within a society, thereby furthering my interest in the subject.

I have a strong desire to help others. A speech pathology career would allow me the chance to aid individuals daily and would give me joy. I feel a sense of accomplishment in knowing that I could help someone to improve, no matter what their situation is. It would be a privilege for me to work in this field; to encourage and restore such a vital component of everyday life. I would like to become bilingual, with Spanish as my second language, so I could serve both the English-speaking and Spanish-speaking populations. With this, I hope to inspire others to learn another language and become more culturally conscious.

My plan, following my completion of a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders, entails entering graduate school because a master’s degree is required to practice in this field. Later, I foresee working for a private practice and, ultimately, establishing my own practice. Simultaneously, I desire to start a non-profit organization that helps children in disadvantaged situations learn to read and to develop sufficient communication skills. I also want to be a self-published author, travel internationally, and educate myself in as many skills as I can, using my determination and diligence.

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 39

YBW Leadership Alliance Cohort I Jillian Parham High School: Mallard Creek High School GPA: 3.4 Colleges of Interest: • University of North Carolina Greensboro • East Carolina University • High Point University Preferred Major: Biology Favorite Quotation: “You have this one life. How do you want to spend it? Apologizing? Regretting? Questioning?

Hating yourself? Running after people who don’t see you?

Be brave. Believe in yourself. Do what feels good. Take risks. You have this one life. Make yourself proud.” Beardsley Jones I am the youngest of three girls. Being the youngest, I had all of the advantages in the world. I always had two people just like me who loved me to look up to. I also had two “near peers” to teach me right and wrong. To this day, I go to my sisters and ask about life experiences they have had to deal with when they were my age, and I am so thankful for their wise advice.

I have always been taught the importance of self-reliance and family tradition. I was shown that if I put my all into something and fail, I was to remember that the effort was what matters, and not the outcome. Because of this, as I get older I can see myself being an independent, confident, and hard-working woman. I would like to say I am some of those things already, but of course, there is still considerable growing that has to be done. I am able to apply these values to everything I do now.

I have been dancing for almost 14 years and throughout those years I have received a better understanding of the importance of confidence and being a hard worker. As a competitive dancer, there is always somebody watching and judging you. I didn’t really realize the importance of self-confidence until I got older and started improving but saw others improve faster. This is because as you see people getting ahead and becoming better, it doesn’t necessarily help to boost your confidence but it does make you tell yourself that you can be just as good, and you work hard to become that good. Once you reach your goal, your confidence levels will increase because you are content and happy with who you have become and you look forward to the new things you can do, want to do.

In addition to dancing, I play soccer and tennis. I have always been very active. With various sports come injuries, which is what sparked my interest in physical therapy. I have never had to see a physical therapist, but I always find myself at the orthopedic doctor for injuries. I’ve always wanted look further into how to treat injuries not just with medicine, but how to treat them and still having to chance to stay somewhat active while getting treatment. I am all about change and diversity, so if there are any relevant changes that can be made within physical therapy, I will try to make those changes and create new ideas within the practice.

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 40

YBW Leadership Alliance Cohort I Janylah Smith High School: Mallard Creek High School GPA: 3.7 College Interests: • Wake Forest University • Elon University • University of South Carolina Preferred Major: Business Administration Favorite Quote: “I survived because the fire inside of me burned brighter than the fire around me.” – Joshua Graham Born in North Carolina and raised in Charlotte, I have been able to understand and remain content with the many things that surround me. I’m a city girl out front and a country sweetheart within. I have always enjoyed trying out different things and experimenting.

As a child, I played the piano, volleyball and served as an active member of the community. I currently attend Mallard Creek High School where I am involved in many extracurricular activities. Piano and golf are my favorites.

As a young child, I had always wanted to make this world a better place and continue to serve God and my community. My core values consist of loving the Lord, caring for my family, and doing everything in my power to effect positive change on individuals, regardless of their race, ethnicity or skin color. My goal in life is quite simple, I aspire to inspire. I want to lead others and continue to follow those who leave a path of exceptional greatness.

I would like to enter college to obtain a bachelor’s degree in business administration, receive an MBA, and graduate with honors. As I begin to establish my career, I would like to enter either technical or pharmaceutical sales. I also want to continue to help and serve my community.

A little while ago, I began to realize that change doesn’t begin with the person who may be prettier, better, smarter, thinner, or even brighter. Anyone has the potential to change the world. Change begins with one man - one woman - one step at a time. As a young African-American leader, I can and will change this world. However, it will not start with another’s actions but will start with the (wo) man in the mirror. My change will begin the moment I stand up for what I believe is right. I must do so because, as I hear constantly, “If I don’t stand for something, I will fall for anything.”

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 41

YBW Leadership Alliance Cohort I Sarai Williams High School: North Mecklenburg High School GPA: 3.9 Colleges of Interest: • North Carolina A&T State University • Howard University • Hampton University Preferred Major: Undecided Favorite Quote: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” - Philippians 4:13 My name is Sarai LeeAnn Williams. My middle name, LeeAnn, is a combination of both of my grandmother’s middle names. Lee is my maternal grandmother’s middle name and from her, I got my love of education, traveling, and adventure. Ann is my paternal grandmother’s middle name and from her, I got my love for God and musical abilities. From both, I have a great work ethic.

I was born and raised in Huntersville. I am the second of five children and the first daughter. With this, I have learned the importance of responsibility and accountability. Being the oldest daughter, especially a preacher’s daughter, I have learned how to cooperate with others and adapt to unfamiliar settings. I am a very wellrounded young woman. When I was four years old, I was placed in an ice skating class. I disliked the class but the one thing I learned from the experience was when I fall, I must get right back up.

Over the course of my high school experience so far, I have had the opportunity to be exposed to different environments and opportunities, such as NewGen Peacebuilders, receiving training for the Mayor’s Youth Employment Program, and attending a Firefighter Camp. With these opportunities, I have been able to develop new skills including communication and leadership.

Being a junior in high school and still being undecided, may be quite a difficult concept to grasp. But that gives me the opportunity to explore several options and keep my eyes open to all possibilities. My desire is to attend a Historically Black College or University. I want to attend an HBCU because I value the idea of being around people who are like me, but in many ways they are different.

I have an interest in music. I play the cello and the guitar. A career in music has been a thought that constantly crosses my mind. With my music abilities and my desire to help people, I hope that I can make a difference in the lives of some young people. Although I am not exactly sure what major I would like to pursue in college right now, I know that in the end, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 42

YBM Leadership Alliance Cohort VI Mikai Francis High School: Carmel Christian School GPA: 3.9 Major: Engineering College Interests: • Duke University • NC State University • Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Favorite Quote: “You can’t get much done in life if you only work on the days you feel good.” - Jerry West I consider myself to be a very open-minded young man and I enjoy trying new things. Along with working hard in school, I play basketball competitively (in school and in AAU club basketball), participate in the Beta Club, play the piano, and I have a tremendous interest in cars. As a matter of fact, I am in the process of joining my school’s Car Club.

I was born in New York and moved to North Carolina at the age of twelve. When I attended a new school I made friends easily. At first, I thought that ease was just luck. However, when I transferred to Carmel Christian School to start eleventh grade, I confirmed for myself that making new friends is easy for me. But as much as I love making new friends, I value maintaining my established relationships just as much, if not more.

Throughout my life, I have enjoyed math and science the most among all of the classes I have taken. I watch a lot of science-fiction and I like to think about what products and ideas I that see are actually a real possibility. I think about how those products could be constructed, how they could exist, or if it is even possible. In science-fiction, I really adore paradoxes and how they make me think. I think this passion and imagination have helped to improve my problem-solving skills, which were already strong.

My interests are always expanding. As I said, I love to try new things and with each endeavor or challenge, I become more open-minded to new ideas about different career fields. I am really interested in learning about physics and I want to take a physics course my senior year. But on the flip side, or is it, I’m also extremely interested in learning about business and automotive technology.

My sheer delight in math and science leads me to study engineering. Through engineering, I feel I will have the tools and position to make the world a better place. That could include anything, such as developing medicine or developing more efficient solar panels for solar energy. I truly believe that a hard work ethic can make any task possible; therefore, I work hard and I plan to take my strong work ethic into college and into my career after college.

I want to be successful so I can be a role model for people of all ages. I want all African Americans to know that there is more to us than how we are portrayed in the media. I want to give back to the community, just as countless successful African Americans generously invest in their communities now.

My ultimate goal is to help others realize it is possible to become whatever they want, and that there is no limit to how intelligent or successful they can be. Black men and women can be whatever they want; they can be smart, successful, leaders, wealthy, etc. There are no limits to what black men and women can achieve. Just watch me.

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 44

YBM Leadership Alliance Cohort VI Terrence Graham High School: Levine Middle College High School GPA: 4.8 Major: Music Technology, Music Composition College Interests: • NYU • Georgia Tech • University of Miami Favorite Quote: “Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy.” - Ludwig van Beethoven I feel my greatest assets are my creativity and imagination.

I have always been an independent and free spirit with a strong desire to impact the world in a major way. My intent is to rise to the top of the music industry as a producer and share my art with the world. I believe that music is nourishment for the soul and the most rewarding thing I can imagine is being able to rejuvenate the souls of the public through music. I will spread positivity, love, and acceptance through the music I create and will use my platform to help change the world for the better. I hope to serve as an example for future generations of young black men and show that dedication, passion, and ingenuity can help you achieve any dream.

I have played football for seven years and ran track as a sprinter for two years. In the last year, I was given the chance to attend a middle college program at CPCC and work towards earning my Associate in Arts degree. The middle college program has been an invaluable experience for me because it has taught me how to be responsible and accountable. I love challenging myself with college courses and being around mature people. On Sundays, I volunteer at Elevation Church and take care of toddlers. In my free time, I either practice the piano or compose songs on my laptop. I was joyfully surrounded by music and played many instruments most of my life. That close and continued association is a major reason I decided to have a career that allows me to continue playing and creating music.

As a YBM Ambassador, I will develop myself as a leader and a professional. I plan on being a leader in my career field so I’m very grateful for the chance to cultivate my strengths through YBM. I look forward to joining the mission trips to Haiti and the Dominican Republic in July. I want to attend college at either New York University, Georgia Tech, or the University of Miami in order to place myself in a city that offers me many opportunities in the music business. I want to travel the world throughout my lifetime and meet many interesting people. Traveling will allow me to learn many things about other people and gain invaluable wisdom.

Failure is not an option for me. I do not imagine myself falling short of my aspirations. At the same time, I know that my goals will be hard to achieve and that I must work tirelessly in order to realize my ambition. I am prepared to learn as much as possible and climb the ladder towards success; no matter how hard it may get.

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 45

YBM Leadership Alliance Cohort VI Verdant Julius High School: Mallard Creek High School GPA: 4.5 Major: Biology and Chemistry College Interests: • University of Pennsylvania • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill • Howard University Favorite Quote: “Don’t ever let someone tell you, you can’t do something. You got a dream, you got to protect it. People can’t do something themselves, they want to tell you you can’t do it. You want something, go get it. Period.”

– “The Pursuit of Happyness” (2006) As a young African-American man growing up in America, I know my purpose is to demonstrate that all young African American men are not criminals, thugs, and a threat to society as we are too often portrayed by the media. At an early age, I realized that I have to aspire to inspire. I push myself to be the best in everything I do, and because of that mindset, I am able to accomplish many great things. Growing up, I have always been ambitious and determined; always trying to run before I could walk every time I encountered a new task. I focus on creating my own unique brand by being an honor student, being actively involved in my school and community, and demonstrating excellent leadership skills.

I’m a junior at Mallard Creek High School and I constantly challenge myself by taking rigorous courses and participating in several student organizations. I am a member of Health Occupations of America, the National Honor Society, and I am the founder and the president of the Black Student Association at Mallard Creek. My last goal before I graduate high school is to become the president of my senior class.

Being involved with my school and community puts me in the position to showcase my excellence as a young Black man, not just for myself, but for others. I find pleasure in helping other people by helping them to be the best person he or she can be, and continuing in the steps of those before me who created a path of prodigious greatness.

After graduating from Mallard Creek, I want to attend either the University of Pennsylvania, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, or Howard University to double major and receive a BS in biology and chemistry. These prestigious universities offer exceptional programs in science and have outstanding medical schools. Once I acquire all the knowledge and skills from completing my undergraduate studies, I want to attend Perelman School of Medicine or Stanford University School of Medicine to achieve my lifelong goal of becoming a cardio-thoracic surgeon.

Serving as an ambassador for YBM Leadership Alliance will push me to accomplish my life goals by preparing and equipping me with the skills and qualities I require to become an educated and sophisticated African-American man in today’s society. From the service projects and experiences that we are exposed to in YBM Leadership Alliance, I will be able to gain more knowledge and empathy. I am confident that this program will open many doors for me, which will not only make me a better individual, but YBM will allow me to empower other young black men.

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 46

YBM Leadership Alliance Cohort VI Kavon Lewis High School: Phillip O. Berry Academy Of Technology GPA: 4.0 Major: Criminology College Interests: • Morehouse College • Howard University • Chapel Hill Favorite Quote: “Don’t let the sadness from the past and the fear of the future ruin the happiness of the present.” – Wiz Kalifah When I was five, my family moved from my birthplace, Brooklyn, New York to Charlotte. The 2005 move to a new city was a chance to make a new start. Life had already thrown me a brutal blow. When I was three years old, I was diagnosed with liver cancer. Thanks to God’s Grace and the help of my family and my doctors, I defeated it.

As I got older, I used that difficult personal battle as the driving force behind my desire to give back to people, especially considering how much had been given to me.

I have always attended schools that provide a focused education: the elementary school of University Meadows, the middle school known as John Motley Morehead STEM Academy and now, Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology. While in school, I have always been involved in extracurricular activities. Currently, I am on the Phillip O. Berry Varsity Baseball team, on the Yearbook committee, and Campus Connections. I enjoy assisting people in any way I am able and I feel as if my career choice is the best avenue for that life of service.

My goal in life is to become a Marine Corp Intelligence Specialist. I have always admired what the Marines stand for, how they carry themselves and that they defend others as the first military responders. I want to be a part of that. I will be a part of that. I plan on graduating high school and attending Morehouse College on a Marine ROTC Scholarship. I believe Morehouse College is the right university for me and is perfectly capable of molding to me into a new leader of the future that YBM has started shaping. There, I will graduate with a degree in Criminology and enlist into the Marines after college. I have chosen Criminology as my major is because I see it as the best education course for my future career. Criminology is the scientific study of the nature, extent, management, causes, control, consequences, and prevention of criminal behavior, both on the individual and social levels. By learning this I believe I can give my fellow Marines the information they need as an intelligence specialist to protect others. I plan on serving my country and fellow Marines until I am honorbly discharged.

I am extremely proud to be a YBM Ambassador, one of the young men chosen to be the face of this amazing organization. I look forward to all of the opportunities and experiences this recognition will bring and I will make the most of them.

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 47

YBM Leadership Alliance Cohort VI Jameel Moore High School: Harper Middle College High School GPA: 4.2 Major: Pre-Med College Interests: • UNC Chapel Hill • Davidson • NC State University Favorite Quote: “There are no two words more harmful in the English dictionary than ‘good job.” – “Whiplash” (2014) The rose that grew from concrete displays diligence and perseverance, setting the example that nothing is too hard to overcome. In turn, the way we handle our situations, especially the difficult ones, determines the outcome.

My association with YBW has helped me realize and appreciate the solid fact that we all have the power to influence our lives; we hold our destiny in our hands. It could go left, or it could go right. Of course there are outside factors that affect our future, but we have the power to steer the wheel. We never have to settle. It’s your life you chose what you do with it.

I am so honored to be a member of the YBM Cohort VI Ambassador Program. I have the drive that I feel separates me from others as I pursue my desired goals and YBM is a valuable tool to help me reach those goals. College prep is a big YBM focus. I plan to attend UNC Chapel Hill in pre-med in pursuit of becoming a neurologist. Not stopping there, I want to influence my community at any way possible. I got that push to serve and be my best at home. At a young age my father instilled a persistence trait deep into my inner man that I can not seem to shake, nor do I want to shake it. Constantly evolving as a individual is a must and I think that is a treat that will benefit me and the people around me.

I am a leading advocate in Student Government as well as on the Student Activities Board. I am the vice president of Harper Ambassadors and the president of the Parent-Teacher Student Association. In addition I am the founder and the president of Creative writing club. I am also a competing boxer and musician who plays the guitar and alto saxophone.

I am creative individual who is able to see and understand issues from different perspectives. I am an elusive thinker with innovative ideas. I am a team player who incorporates out-of-the-box methods to reach success. John 13:15 says, “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” I lead by example and I take charge when necessary. I was onced asked the question, “In a line of ants where would you walk? Are you in the back, the front, or the middle?” I said I would be in the back, because I am a motivator.

That is who I am. I am a motivating student who will develop other leaders in the process.

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 48

YBM Leadership Alliance Cohort VI Dashaun Simpson High School: Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology GPA: 4.1 Major: Political Science, Pre-Law, Criminal Justice College Interests: • Campbell University • Davidson College • NC State University Favorite Quote: “In a gentle way, you can shake the world.” - Mahatma Gandhi I am a person of many interests. I am one who loves to take charge and be a leader. I enjoy being around people of all ethnicities and backgrounds. I enjoy playing my instrument, the double bass, and listening to a variety of music genres. I enjoy watching movies and playing video games in the spare time I can carve out to enjoy. But above all, God is the pillar that upholds every aspect of my life, allowing me to achieve success.

I am currently the vice president of the Phillip O. Berry Chess/Game club and I plan to be president after the next club election. I am also a member of the Orchestra Club.

As you can see, I turned my hobbies into opportunities at school and I plan on turning my passion for these hobbies into something that could help me grow as a person.

I see my future as a road of golden bricks I can follow to success. I see myself majoring in political science. I enjoy analyzing politics and the intricacies of the political process, so political science is a natural fit for me. I love participating in an organized debate. I want to join my school’s debate club/team next year. In the meantime, I sharpen my skills through lively debate with friends and associates. It is one of my passions that will definitely help in my legal career.

After I major in political science, I want to enroll in law school, preferably at Campbell University, with the goal of becoming a criminal lawyer. I want to be a respected figure in this field. Many people view being a lawyer as a slimy and scandalous profession, but I plan to change that perception by giving back to the community and creating a positive image that the next generation can look up to.

I am a Charlotte native and this community means a lot to me. I want to give back to Charlotte in a big way. Politics is an obvious avenue to help my community. One major step would be my election to the city council, or maybe even becoming the mayor after a time. This course would give me the ability to help those who need it by improving the infrastructure of the city and adjust financial spending to better serve Charlotte residents. Becoming a YBM Ambassador is the first of many steps toward achieving my goals. As an Ambassador, I will network with community leaders, I will build my confidence and ability to articulate my ideas and opinions. I will become a stronger leader.

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 49

YBM Leadership Alliance Cohort VI Kaseen Smith High School: Cato Middle College High School GPA: 4.7 Major: International Business/ E-Commerce College Interests: • University of Pennsylvania • University of Southern California • Brown University Favorite Quote: “I never said to be like me, I say to be like you and make a difference.” - Marilyn Manson Ever since I was young, I prided myself on being a good kid. Those who knew me recalled me as “the boy who always did the right thing.” I was pretty above average academically, and I participated in basketball, choir, and robotics, along with other activities. When I moved to Charlotte from Brooklyn about four years ago, I realized that I was tired of being the good kid and that I wanted to be more. Given that I was from a completely different region of the country when I enrolled at Ridge Road Middle in 7th grade, I wasn’t placed in honors courses.

I took that setback and used it as fuel to propel my academic career. I worked hard and was the top student in all of my classes my first year at Ridge Road and was placed in the honors program the next year. I graduated from Ridge Road with the highest award in my English class and received other awards.

Coming into high school - Mallard Creek to be specific - I was uncertain of where I wanted to make my mark in the world, but one thing that I was certain of was that education is the key that opens all of the doors. At the end of my sophomore year, my grades allowed me to transition to Cato Middle College. Here, I am able to take college classes and alter my schedule so that I could participate in a few other activities. Somehow, a few turned into 11 - Superintendent Advisory Council, Student Government, and Debate Club to name a few most of which I held officer positions and all of which I am passionate about.

Also, at Cato, I realized that whatever field I may choose to delve into, I want to be able to influence and encourage a lot of people. I have developed a strong interest in politics and economics, along with other facets of business. Given that, I plan to take up a dual major in political science and some area of business. After undergraduate school, at the University of Pennsylvania preferably, I plan to continue my education to the highest degree – I want to attend Harvard Business School. All the while, I will work my way up the ranks in the marketing division of a company and at some point, I will start my own marketing and investment firm. Later in life, I would like to run for multiple political offices, up to and including President of the United States.

As an Ambassador, I am grateful for the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, and thus influence generations to come.

I will share my knowledge with my fellow Ambassadors, as well as any other individuals I encounter. Ultimately, I want to be a change agent who is helping to solve community problems and unite what seems like a very divided nation.

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 50

YBM Leadership Alliance Cohort VI Anthony Treadaway High School: South Mecklenburg GPA: 3.9 Major: Business College Interests: • Elon University • University of South Carolina • Wake Forest University Favorite Quote: “If you don’t go after what you want, you’ll never have it. If you don’t ask, the answer is always ‘no.’ If you don’t step forward, you’re always in the same place.” - Nora Roberts I moved with my family from Ft. Lauderdale to Charlotte in August 2012. Although I am focused on my academics, I have always been involved outside of the classroom.

In middle school, I was on the soccer and track team; moreover, in my transition to high school, I played on the Junior Varsity soccer team for two years. During my third year of high school, I wanted to diversify my activities and I joined the Varsity Lacrosse team. Along with being a student athlete, I am a part of Future Health Professionals, where I currently serve on the Creative Problem Solving (CPS) team. While on the CPS team, I took a leadership position to recruit members and lead our team to state championships contests for three consecutive years, winning the championship for last two years.

In addition to activities, I have a strong passion for serving my community. As a Junior Ambassador, I give back to my community by mentoring first-year students and helping them with their transition to high school.

Outside of school, I serve as a community leader in my church by being an active member of the hospitality and photography team. Through my church, I participate in many community service events. With Backpack Meals, we pack food for school children in need. With Roll Out Hope, we collect and distribute gifts to less fortunate families. My commitment to service is also apparent in my work life. While employed at Sports Connection, I chose to be a part of the customer service team, which allowed me to help ensure customers’ safety and satisfaction.

My passion for serving the community stems from my family always instilling in me the importance of giving back. Through my family, I was also able to find my other interests. At the age of five, my grandfather introduced me to photography and it has been a hobby of mine ever since. Throughout the years, I have also found great interest in car shows, fitness, and travel. After high school graduation, I hope to merge my personal interests with my career goals. In order to do so, I plan to attend either Elon University, the University of South Carolina, or Wake Forest University, where I plan to major in business. Afterward, I hope to start my own photography company and travel the world. I am confident my major will provide me with the tools I need to pursue my goal of being an entrepreneur.

Overall, I feel strongly about everyone using their God-given gifts and abilities, which I have displayed throughout my life. I plan to continue to do so through my future endeavors with YBM.

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 51

YBM Leadership Alliance Cohort VI Joshua Ussery High School: North Mecklenburg GPA: 3.5 Major: Kinesiology College Interests: • East Carolina • University of Greensboro • North Carolina Central University Favorite Quote: “Take wrong turns. Talk to strangers.

Open unmarked doors. And if you see a group of people in a field, go find out what they are doing. Do things without always knowing how they’ll turn out.” - Randell Munroe I am the oldest of three children. Perhaps that position among my siblings led to the development of some of my characteristics. I am a lifelong learner and I have chosen a career that allows me to help others, physical therapy. I have a robust interest in the mechanics of the body which motivates me to pursue human health sciences. With hard work and dedication, I will hope to get accepted into my top three universities.

I lived with my mother until I was eight years old. I was just like any other boy growing up, I got into a little trouble here and there, but I have always been a decent kid. When I lived with my mother I had attended three different schools by the first grade. I learned to adapt.

Living with her taught me a lot: how to treat people with honor, and respect others to gain respect. On the day I turned eight, my mother told me I was going to live with my dad because she couldn’t teach me how to be a man.

Living with my father was a big change and required quite some adjusting on my part. He was stricter, but he could also relate to the things I was going through as a young black man in America. He taught me how to be a man and how to carry myself. I developed a swagger, or moxie about myself, and conquered my fears. I had a big fear of spiders, bugs, and things of that nature. One summer my dad made me kill every spider he saw: fear gone! My father realized I was a bright and extraordinary kid in the second grade. I excelled, especially for someone who was getting in trouble and having his parents called quite frequently. He looked for multiple organizations to put me into to surround me with the right crowd and nurture my talents. He found 100 Black Men of America, a leadership organization of mostly engineers that surrounds you with mentors who have exceeded expectations and are taking the time to reach back to improve the youth. They mainly served as another father figure I could go to in the time of need. With the 100 and my family behind me, they pushed me to do well in school.

I received a letter about the YBM Top Scholar Program at the start of my junior year. My father, step mom, and I discussed the invitation and it seemed to be a great opportunity to better myself. So, I went to the gathering, watched all of those ambassadors and decided I wanted to be a part of this elite group of young men. Most had a 4.0 or higher GPA. Before that day, I thought this academic ability was impossible for someone like me to achieve. This first YBM encounter really changed my thought process and helped create a true drive and hunger for success in me. From then on I planned and promised to work as hard as I could to be in this elite group. I was also accepted into the National Technological Honors Society, Future Farmers of America, Mayor’s Youth and Employment program, DECA, and I am an Ambassador. Wow!! I am proud and very grateful.

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 52

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 53

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 54

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 55

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 56

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 57

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 58

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 60

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 61

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 62

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 63

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 64

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 65

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 66

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 67

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 68

Commitment + Resiliency = Success Dr. Kenneth Morton “There are no secrets to success, it is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.” -Colin Powell As Top Scholars and young leaders, you know very well how true the words from Colin Powell have been in your journey.

Mr. Powell is an extraordinary leader and has served our country as a four-star general and a former Secretary of State. Most would agree that Mr. Powell knows a great deal about success and what it takes to achieve great milestones in life. As we celebrate your success, take a Kenneth Morton moment to recognize all the hard work each of you performed in order to reach and exceed your chosen goals! You planned and prepared for success, and very likely learned a few lessons along the way. Enjoy this moment, and view your achievements as a reflection of all of your efforts up to this point. As you know, lasting success is a journey and not a destination. You have accomplished much, and I trust that you see this important point in your life as an inflection point, whereby you are defining new goals and planning for future successes.

Two essential areas that are important for your continued success are commitment and resiliency. You have already demonstrated a high level of leadership skills and a desire to serve others. You are already making a positive impact within the local community and are positioned to exert your positive influence upon the global community.

Life is complex and requires a thoughtful approach from you in order to achieve the level of success that you desire. For everyone, it begins with commitment.

The concept of commitment often involves defining in specific terms

the goals that you choose to pursue, then determining what you are willing to do in order to reach those chosen goals. Just the knowledge of your goals and a desire to reach them is not enough. Your commitment will compel you to take action to work towards successfully reaching them and enables you to maintain focus through myriad challenges and distractions. Commitment is the glue that keeps you on track and moving forward in a positive direction.

Since success is rarely coincidental or by chance, your commitment becomes mission critical and a must have.

The legendary football coach Vince Lombardi stated, “The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.” Once again, we can see the value of commitment and the impact that commitment has upon achieving success and driving quality of life. In order to continue on your path of success once you define what it looks like, be prepared to wholly commit yourself to achieving it. There are few freebies or gifts along the way; if you are not willing to commit to your own success you will fall short in achieving it.

A second essential aspect in your success equation is resiliency. Maya Angelou stated it best in saying, “We may encounter defeats but we must not become defeated.” Challenges will come and sometimes those challenges may get the best of us. When this occurs, it will be necessary to shake-off temporary defeats and remain resilient in moving towards achieving your goals and success. Tough times have a way of teaching each of us some of the most important life lessons.

Your high level of personal resilience will enable you to view tough situations as only temporary and will enable you to stick to your success plan. If you invested time to explore your goals and create your plan to achieve success, why would you throw in the towel in the face of adversity? Personal resiliency is necessary to keep you faithful to your commitment to achieve success. When adversity and challenges appear, remember the words of Winston Churchill, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” Resiliency allows you to keep going, even when the going gets tough. Resiliency enables you to continue along your chosen path for sustainable success.

As a Top Scholar and young leader, you are well-positioned to continue achieving your academic goals, overcoming challenges that will come your way, and becoming the leader that you wish to be. I encourage each of you to integrate high levels of commitment and resiliency into your success equation. One day, you will have the opportunity to share your journey with others and describe important steps along the way that made a difference. You will not be able to tell your story without describing how committed you were along the way or without describing how you had to remain resilient during times of trial.

Embrace commitment and resiliency as a basic and essential path to achieve success in every phase of your life. In doing so, the probability of shattering your goals increases exponentially. With great anticipation, I look forward to hearing about commitment and resiliency when you share your future success stories!

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 69

As women, we assume many important roles.

We are daughters, sisters, friends, professionals, and (one day) wives and mothers. We play a central role in the health of our families and communities as we serve as the emotional force in each space we grace with our presence. We cannot properly assume such responsibilities if we are unwell. Committing to loving, respecting, and honoring yourself as young women is the first step to success. You must know who you are. Genesis 1:27 in the Christian Bible reads, “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” Thus, if we are created in the image of God, you, my dear, are a Goddess.

When you conduct yourself from this place, you become increasingly clear and powerful.

Here are a few words of wisdom from the Goddess in me to the Goddess in you on how balance in the mental, emotional, physical and spiritual aspects of your life creates success: Mental Wellness: Your thoughts about yourself and others are powerful. You must think highly of yourself because it sets the tone for how the world, and the people in it, will interact with you. Iyanla Vanzant captures this well: “The only relationship we can have in this life is the relationship we have with ourselves. We cannot love anybody more than we love ourselves.

We cannot treat anyone any better than we treat ourselves. When you forget you, give up on you, or devalue yourself, anyone coming into your life has a universal responsibility to follow your lead.”

Whatever you believe, you will manifest. Think highly of yourself, and expect the best.

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 70

Also, be careful to protect your mind. Be intentional about the types of music you listen to and television shows you watch. Whatever you pour into your mind will resurface in ways you may not realize. Protecting your mind includes being around healthy people, listening to positive things, and looking at images of what you want. Remember, “As a man thinks, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7).

Emotional Wellness: Your feelings matter and they are key to letting you know what is right and what is wrong in your life. Always listen to how you feel; this is especially important for you as a woman. Don’t deny when things others are saying or doing are making you feel ostracized, neglected, abused, angry, hurt or unimportant. Give them the feedback on how their actions make you feel. Those who value their relationships with you will adjust their behaviors so that you can feel good with them.

Healthy relationships feel good. We often feel good in relationships in which we are honored, heard, respected, valued, protected, considered and loved. Expect positive relationships with everyone who has the honor of being part of your life. This

includes being kind to yourself, doing work you enjoy, having loving relationships, and meeting your needs. Each day do all that you can to bring joy into your life. Commit to your happiness!

Physical Wellness: Physical wellness embodies all that manifests within our bodies and in the outside world (our homes, money, environment). Many people begin their journey toward wellness because their mental, emotional, and spiritual issues affect their physical bodies. Your thoughts and feelings manifest in your body. For example, negative thoughts, among other things, can lead to depression (mental health). Depressed people feel hopeless, irritable, and anxious (emotional health). They also have less energy and likely experience headaches and anxiety (physical health). On the contrary, a positive attitude can lead to happy feelings and generates more energy. Listen to your body. Respect what she needs, and get help if you are still experiencing these feelings.

you need is already within you. Tap into the spirit within! Everyone’s spiritual practice is different. I tap into my spirit, or God within, when I run, journal, pray, eat ice-cream, talk with others, and listen to soul stirring gospel. Tap into your spirit. All the answers are there. Get spiritual!

President Barack Obama stated, “You can judge a nation, and how successful it will be, based on how it treats its women and its girls.” I would add: You can judge a girl, and how successful she will be by how she treats herself, and how she allows others to treat her. Love yourselves well ladies, because that is what Goddesses do.

Adequate rest, healthy foods, exercise, loving touches, clean homes, managed money, and pretty clothes actually feel good. Take care of your body, create beautiful spaces for yourself, and love yourself enough to create abundance. Whatever you create on the outside, reflects who you are inside. Create something gorgeous and fit for a Goddess!

Spiritual Wellness: The spirit of a woman is the softest place on earth.

I believe that all women are sweetness, joy, light, and love manifested on earth. If we show ourselves differently it is because we are protecting ourselves from being hurt. Mean, angry, aggressive, ugly, and mad women are hurt women who are unaware of who they really are. They have forgotten, or do not know, they are love and light. Women must be loved; we need it to survive. The key is, to get the love we deserve and need from others we must first learn to love ourselves.

God has supplied you with everything you need the moment you arrived on earth. All the knowledge, power, beauty, courage, and strength YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 71

Top Scholars Program The Top Scholar Membership program is a premier leadership development and college prep program for young, black men and women in high school. Top Scholar Membership is a 10-month program that includes over 30 events including, workshops, college tours, webinars, and social activities. The program focuses on developing critical leadership and life skills, engaging in community service work, and college and career readiness.

The program also includes high school senior exclusive workshops focused on resume development, college essay preparation, college application submission, and scholarship acquisition. Top Scholar Members also have the opportunity to gain global experience and cultural awareness through local, national, and international community service trips.

YBM & YBW Top Scholars of Charlotte (Seniors) Devon Ponds High School: Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology GPA: 3.7 College Attending: The College of Saint Rose Preferred Major: Music 10 Year Plan My plan for the first four years is to graduate from The College of Saint Rose with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Music with a minor in business administration. While in school, I will intern at prestigious record labels in New York. I will also learn to play the piano.

Upon graduating from college, I will have the knowledge to build my own record label from the ground up. I will work at a record label as a producer for four years and then I will start a record label of my own.

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 76

YBM & YBW Top Scholars of Charlotte (Juniors)

Camryn Anderson Mallard Creek High School

Michael Bell Lake Norman Charter

John Brown Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology

Loil Covington III North Mecklenburg High School

Jayson Ewell Charlotte Engineering Early College

Nylah Felder-El Mallard Creek High School

Bryce Harper Mallard Creek High School

Timothy Kinney II Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology

Myla Leak Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology

Tanoka McMoore Zebulon B. Vance High School

David Osunkwo, III Charlotte Engineering Early College

Joy Perry Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 77

YBM & YBW Top Scholars of Charlotte (Juniors/Sophomores)

Niqim Smith South Mecklenburg High School

Takeo Staton Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology . . .

Khalif Thomas Performance Learning High School

Sophomores.

Ryan Thomas Ardrey Kell High School

. .

John Bell Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology

LaSharah Bourdeau Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology

Nevaeh Brown Mallard Creek High School

Preston Brown West Mecklenburg High School

Kamaya Deas Mallard Creek High School

Cary Dozier Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology

Nelani Faatiliga Zebulon B. Vance High School

Niya Friday West Charlotte High School

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 78

YBM & YBW Top Scholars of Charlotte (Sophomores)

Kaycee Hailey West Charlotte High School

Tristan Hall Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology

Darnasia Harrison Mallard Creek High School

Anthony Henry lll Mallard Creek High School

Mohamed Hijazi Mallard Creek High School

Craig Hodges Jr. Mallard Creek High School

Lani Holmes Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology

Zachary Jacque Ardrey Kell High School

Aria Jenkins Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology

Anil Johnson Mallard Creek High School

Ayanna Johnson Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology

Caleb Johnson Hickory Grove Christian

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 79

YBM & YBW Top Scholars of Charlotte (Sophomores)

Fortune’ Johnson Hopewell High School

Harvie Johnson Butler High School

Tyran Jones Charlotte Engineering Early College

Jarius Latimer Olympic High School METS

Lewis “Carson” Long Mallard Creek High School

Anthony Love Lake Norman Charter School

Jalen Lowery Rocky River High School

Kelsi Manley Mallard Creek High School

Sydney McGregor Davidson Day

Jordan Miller Charlotte Latin

Matthew Monroe Olympic High School METS

Anthony Ngassa South Meck High School

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 80

YBM & YBW Top Scholars of Charlotte (Sophomores)

Justin Peterkin Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology

Trey Pickard Myers Park High School

Zyrehia Polk East Mecklenburg High School

JaKayla Robinson Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology

Kirsten Roddey Mallard Creek High School

Samuel Rodgers Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology

Devin Sampson Mallard Creek High School

Tariq Silver Mallard Creek High School

Japheth Tewolde Ardrey Kell High School

Gerred Walker Butler High School

Germare Walker Butler High School

Jalen White Mallard Creek High School

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 81

YBM & YBW Top Scholars of Charlotte (Sophomores)

Jackson Williams Mallard Creek High School

Arshad Zaidi Ardrey Kell High School

Tia Leak Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology

Kelsey McDowell Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology

Makayla Neely Rocky River High School

Jaysha Perkins Mallard Creek High School

Sydney Randolph Ardrey Kell High School

Adrianna Starkey Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology

Kayla Washington Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 82

YBM & YBW Top Scholars of Charlotte (Freshmen)

Ayanna Anderson Independence High School

Imunique Archie North Mecklenburg High School

Titanna AssasieGyimah Hopewell High School

Kayla Bittle Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology

Mason Bradley Independence High School

Courtney Darden South Mecklenburg High School

Bryson Ellis Olympic High School LED

Tiana Felder-El Mallard Creek High School

Raven Funderburk Biotechnology, Health and Public Administration at Olympic High School

Cameron Hampton Independence High School

Danyel Johnson Hopewell High School

Lauren Johnson Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 83

YBM & YBW Top Scholars of Charlotte (Freshmen)

Amber Miles Charlotte Engineering Early College

Leah Richardson South Mecklenburg High School

Laila Robinson Myers Park High School

Kayla Roddey Mallard Creek High School

Madysen Scott South Mecklenburg High School

Justin Tolbert South Point High School

Jalen Walker Olympic Community School

Brandon Wright Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology

“Learn all you can and make yourself valuable to somebody.”

- Dorothy Vaughan

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 84

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 85

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 86

Ambassadors Biographical Index

Cohort

YBM CV Name

High School

College Attending in Fall

Page 15

YBW Cofounder

Jalyn Martin

Mallard Creek High School

University of North Carolina Greensboro

YBW Cofounder

Lauren Merritt

Mallard Creek High School

Winston-Salem State University

16 17

YBW Cofounder

Chidera Udeh

Mallard Creek High School

Marist College

YBW Cofounder

Paula Wambui

Mallard Creek High School

N.C. A&T State University

18

YBM Cohort V

Jabari Moore

Independence

Appalachian State University

22 20

YBM Cohort V

Tobi Akinyelu

Ardrey Kell High School

University of North Carolina Chapel Hill

YBM Cohort V

Destyn Peoples

Phillip O Berry Academy of Technology

Davidson College

24 25

YBM Cohort V

Trent Moyer

Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology

East Carolina University

YBM Cohort V

Miles Thompson

Performance Learning Center

Morehouse College

29 27

YBM Cohort V

Justin Roddey

Mallard Creek High School

East Carolina University

YBM Cohort V

William Grier

Phillip O Berry Academy of Technology

East Carolina University

21 26

YBM Cohort V

Cameron Reddig

Independence High School

University of North Carolina Greensboro

YBM Cohort V

Davion Washington Jr.

South Mecklenburg High School

Middle Tennessee State University

30 31

YBM Cohort V

Ziddell Yala

Cato Middle College High School

University of North Carolina Chapel Hill

YBM Cohort V

D’Wan Morrison

Phillip O Berry Academy of Technology

N.C. A&T State University

23

East Carolina University

28

YBM Cohort V

Nathaniel Smith

South Mecklenburg

YBW Cohort I

Ava Burgess

Mallard Creek High School

34

YBW Cohort I

Angel Carrington

Mallard Creek High School

35

YBW Cohort I

Jasming Jones

Davidson Day School

36

YBW Cohort I

Nia Lewis

Mallard Creek High School

37

YBW Cohort I

Logan Long

Mallard Creek High School

38

YBW Cohort I

Desiree Lucas

Phillip O. Berry Academy

39

YBW Cohort I

Jillian Parham

Mallard Creek High School

40

YBW Cohort I

Nilaja Brown-Roberts

Phillip O Berry Academy of Technology

33

YBW Cohort I

Janylah Smith

Mallard Creek High School

41

YBW Cohort I

Sarai Williams

North Mecklenburg High School

42

YBM Cohort VI

Kavon Lewis

Phillip O. Berry Academy Of Technology

47

YBM Cohort VI

Jameel Moore

Harper Middle College High School

48

YBM Cohort VI

Mikai Francis

Carmel Christian School

44

YBM Cohort VI

Joshua Ussery

North Mecklenburg High School

52

YBM Cohort VI

Dashaun Simpson

Phillip O Berry Academy of Technology

49

YBM Cohort VI

Verdant Julius

Mallard Creek High School

46

YBM Cohort VI

Terrence Graham

Levine Middle College High School

45

YBM Cohort VI

Kaseen Smith

Cato Middle College High School

50

YBM Cohort VI

Anthony Treadaway

South Mecklenburg High School

51

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 89

Top Scholars Biographical Index Top Scholar

High School

Grade Page

Top Scholar

Devon Ponds Camryn Anderson Michael Bell John Brown Loil Covington III Jayson Ewell Nylah Felder-El Bryce Harper Timothy Kinney II Myla Leak Tanoka McMoore David Osunkwo, III Joy Perry Niqim Smith Takeo Staton Khalif Thomas Ryan Thomas John Bell LaSharah Bourdeau Nevaeh Brown Preston Brown Kamaya Deas Cary Dozier Nelani Faatiliga Niya Friday Kaycee Hailey Tristan Hall Darnasia Harrison Anthony Henry lll Mohamed Hijazi Craig Hodges Jr. Lani Holmes Zachary Jacque Aria Jenkins Anil Johnson Ayanna Johnson Caleb Johnson Fortune’ Johnson Harvie Johnson Tyran Jones Jarius Latimer Lewis “Carson” Long Anthony Love Jalen Lowery Kelsi Manley Sydney McGregor Jordan Miller Matthew Monroe Anthony Ngassa Justin Peterkin Trey Pickard Zyrehia Polk

Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology Mallard Creek High School Lake Norman Charter Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology North Mecklenburg High School Charlotte Engineering Early College Mallard Creek High School Mallard Creek High School Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology Zebulon B. Vance High School Charlotte Engineering Early College Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology South Meck High School Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology Performance Learning High School Ardrey Kell High School Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology Mallard Creek High School West Mecklenburg High School Mallard Creek High School Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology Zebulon B. Vance High School West Charlotte High School West Charlotte High School Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology Mallard Creek High School Mallard Creek High School Mallard Creek High School Mallard Creek High School Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology Ardrey Kell High School Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology Mallard Creek High School Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology Hickory Grove Christian Hopewell High School Butler High School Charlotte Engineering Early College Olympic High School METS Mallard Creek High School Lake Norman Charter Rocky River High School Mallard Creek High School Davidson Day Charlotte Latin Olympic High School METS South Meck High School Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology Myers Park High School East Mecklenburg High School

12 12 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10

JaKayla Robinson Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology Kirsten Roddey Mallard Creek High School Samuel Rodgers Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology Devin Sampson Mallard Creek High School Tariq Silver Mallard Creek High School Japheth Tewolde Ardrey Kell High School Gerred Walker Butler High School Germare Walker Butler High School Jalen White Mallard Creek High School Jackson Williams Mallard Creek High School Arshad Zaidi Ardrey Kell High School Tia Leak Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology Kelsey McDowell Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology Makayla Neely Rocky River High School Jaysha Perkins Mallard Creek High School Sydney Randolph Ardrey Kell High School Adrianna Starkey Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology Kayla Washington Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology Ayanna Anderson Independence High School Imunique Archie North Mecklenburg High School Titanna Assasie-Gyimah Hopewell High School Kayla Bittle Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology Mason Bradley Independence High School Courtney Darden South Mecklenburg High School Bryson Ellis Olympic High School LED Tiana Felder-El Mallard Creek High School Raven Funderburk Biotechnology, Health and Public Administration at Olympic High School Cameron Hampton Independence High School Danyel Johnson Hopewell High School Lauren Johnson Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology Amber Miles Charlotte Engineering Early College Leah Richardson South Mecklenburg High School Laila Robinson Myers Park High School Kayla Roddey Mallard Creek High School Madysen Scott South Mecklenburg High School Justin Tolbert South Point High School Jalen Walker Olympic Community School Brandon Wright Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology

YBM & YBW Top Scholars | 90

76 77 77 77 77 77 77 77 77 77 77 77 77 78 78 78 78 78 78 78 78 78 78 78 78 79 79 79 79 79 79 79 79 79 79 79 79 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 81 81 81

High School

Grade Page 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9

81 81 81 81 81 81 81 81 81 82 82 82 82 82 82 82 82 82 83 83 83 83 83 83 83 83 83

9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9

83 83 83 84 84 84 84 84 84 84 84