Next Generation
NAA’s Next Generation Honoree Malachi Nelson
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
NATIONAL AFTERSCHOOL ASSOCIATION HONORS Mia Ouma AMONG ITS 2024 NEXT GENERATION OF AFTERSCHOOL LEADERS
WASHINGTON, D.C., February 7, 2024 – The National AfterSchool Association (NAA), the voice of the afterschool profession and lead organization for the advancement of afterschool professionals and leaders, has selectedMia Ouma Volunteers of America-Dakotas OST(Sioux Falls, SD as one of NAA’s 2024 Next Generation of Afterschool Leaders.
In selecting its 2024 Next Generation of Afterschool Leaders, the National AfterSchool Association sought to highlight emerging young leaders who are active in the broader afterschool community, demonstrate contributions that have started to influence beyond individual programs to entire organizations and communities, are actively engaged in efforts to elevate the afterschool field, have a proven passion for development of themselves and others, and demonstrate persistence in their work to grow as leaders. Honorees will be profiled in the upcoming Spring 2024 issue of NAA’s AfterSchool Today magazine. View a digital edition of the magazine here this March.
“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. “We look forward to seeing how these emerging leaders make their mark on their organizations and the broader afterschool profession.”
An estimated 7.8 million young people participate in afterschool programs each year and the industry employs an estimated 850,000 professionals and leaders. The National AfterSchool Association is the professional membership association that fosters positive youth outcomes by supporting, developing, and advocating for afterschool professionals and leaders.
NATIONAL AFTERSCHOOL ASSOCIATION HONORS Dawn Johnson AMONG ITS 2019 NEXT GENERATION OF AFTERSCHOOL LEADERS
