ATLANTA -- 21st Century Leaders, a non-profit whose aim is to expand the number and diversity of Georgia’s future leaders, has revealed the inaugural group of Georgia’s 20 Under 20 and recognized their accomplishments at a celebration and silent auction in Atlanta.
Georgia’s 20 Under 20, selected by the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 40 Under 40, were recognized for being outstanding role models for other youth; for demonstrating leadership through organizing a business, non-profit, or community initiative that makes an impact on the greater community serving as a positive example to other young people; and for initiating endeavor(s) or accomplishment(
“Our inaugural group of winners are accomplished and rising youth leaders,” said Bob Watson, executive director of Decatur, Ga.-based 21st Century Leaders. "Each has their own incredible story."
The inaugural group is as follows:
• Brye Balkum, Senior, Campbell High School
• Jasenka Basic, Sophomore, Oglethorpe University and graduate of Shiloh High School
• Rohan Bhatia, Senior, Centennial High School
• Grant Bickwit, Senior, Centennial High School
• Hunter Brock, Senior, Turner County High School
• Zach Carrier, Senior, Calhoun High School
• Gerald Crawford, Senior, Grady High School
• Daniel Green, Senior, Roswell High School
• Sarah Hibbard, Freshman, Georgia Southern University and graduate of Dunwoody High School
• Devin Iverson, Freshman, Florida A&M and graduate of North Atlanta High School
• Michelle Izmaylov, Senior, Alpharetta High School
• Vincent James, Senior, Wheeler High School
• Antonio Jennings, Sophomore, St. Olaf College and graduate of North Atlanta High School
• Sade Law, Freshman, Chamblee High School
• Brandon Mack, Junior, Jacksonville University and graduate of Lithonia High School
• Brianna Mack, Freshman, Emory University and graduate of Academy of Richmond County
• Arielle Parnes-Katz, Senior, Druid Hills High School
• Juan Quintero, Freshman, Georgia Tech and graduate of Duluth High School
• Jordan Schwartz, Sophomore, Atlanta Girls School
• Camille Sims, Freshman, North Atlanta High School
21st Century Leaders is a not-for-profit that began administering three-year leadership development programs to rising high school students 17 years ago.
More than 3,800 students have participated in 21st Century Leaders. Of this group, 94 percent enter college and 72 percent report taking on formal leadership roles in their colleges/universities and communities after high school and beyond. The majority of participants – more than 60 percent – hail from metro Atlanta high schools. The organization is currently undergoing rapid expansion through outreach to additional schools and community organizations.
Programs are year round with 11 days of leadership development annually, the majority of which are held during the summer. 21st Century Leaders works with partner corporations such as Turner Broadcasting System, Georgia Power, Cox Enterprises and AT&T.
Summer programs are held at Georgia college campuses including Oglethorpe University, Savannah State University and Georgia Southern University.
Other programs include:
• Leadership Unplugged: A CNN Experience, which is media literacy focused leadership training and is held on the campus of Georgia Tech each summer.
• EarthCare:
• Goizueta Teen Summit: A weekend program led by Emory University MBA students.
• Youth Action Centers: Youth-managed and led organizations within schools and community agencies that research, design and promote local service learning initiatives.
21st Century Leaders is currently working with the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta and other community-building organizations to increase the number of its metro Youth Action Centers, or youth-run volunteer centers in area high schools. Currently, the organization’
