Class of 2025 Next Generation of Afterschool Leaders

sodaksaca — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 14:27:51 +0000

The National AfterSchool Association (NAA) is proud to announce the Class of 2025 Next Generation of Afterschool Leaders! This award recognizes young leaders in the out-of-school time field who have a proven passion for the development of themselves and others and who demonstrate persistence in their work to grow as leaders in afterschool. In addition, honorees are active in the broader afterschool community, demonstrate contributions that have started to influence beyond individual programs to entire organizations and communities, and are actively engaged in efforts to elevate the afterschool field.

“At the National AfterSchool Association, we understand the connection between program quality and positive youth outcomes — a connection that can only be facilitated by strong leadership and a thriving workforce,” said Gina Warner, Chief Executive Officer of NAA. “By supporting emerging leaders, we are supporting the workforce of the future, and we are excited how these emerging leaders make their mark on their organizations and the broader afterschool profession.”

Out of over 100 nominations, 28 emerging professionals 30 years of age and younger were selected for this year’s honor. The entire cohort will be recognized at NAA’s national 2025 Convention in Nashville in March. Additionally, they will be profiled in a feature story in the National AfterSchool Associations biannual magazine, AfterSchool Today.

Join us in honoring the 2025 Next Generation of Afterschool Leaders!

Brian Allen
ASAS DC
Washington, DC

Alivia Avila
Salt Lake City School District Community Ed
Salt Lake City, Utah

Ayana Bell
Boys & Girls Clubs of Mercer County
Trenton, New Jersey

Tylan Blades
YMCA of Greater Houston
Houston, Texas

Aujenay Cianciola
Center 360
Charlotte, North Carolina

Samone Coleman
Schools Out Washington
Tukwila, Washington

Blakeley Davenport
After-School All-Stars
Chicago, Illinois

Bao Huong Doan
Parks Tacoma
Tacoma, Washington

Allie Duke
Nashville After Zone Alliance (NAZA)
Nashville, Tennessee

Po Eh
Ignite Afterschool
Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota

Jesse Esquivel
Woodcraft Rangers
Los Angeles, California

Maritza Evette Garcia
City of Dallas Park and Recreation Department- Out of School Time Division
Dallas, Texas

Malia Kema
Utah Afterschool Network
Salt Lake City, Utah

Darian Lofton
Ignite Afterschool
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Alexis Mathieson
After-School All-Stars
Newark, New Jersey

Malachi Nelson
Black Hills Special Services
Rapid City, South Dakota

Hannah Orff
Butterfly Pavilion
Westminster, Colorado

Rebecca Osborne
After-School All-Stars
Cleveland, Ohio

Mason Pappas
Utah Afterschool Network
Salt Lake City, Utah

Jala Powell
Domestic Violence Prevention Network
Indianapolis, Indiana

Destiné Price-Willis
Fire Historical & Cultural Arts Collaborative
Kalamazoo, Michigan

Alexis Rivas
Think Together
San Bernardino, California

R’Quiya Ruffin
MLK Community Center
Indianapolis, Indiana

MyKayla Searles-Houston
U.S. Dream Academy
Houston, Texas

Derrick Smith, Jr.
LA’s BEST
Los Angeles, California

Elaina Wargo
YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

Gabbrielle Whatley
Douglasville Parks and Recreation
Douglasville, Georgia

Lily Wilson
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri

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