BLTN NextGen’s Youth Advisory Board is a group of young people charged with setting network priorities and advising on communication, publications, budgets, grant funding, and agendas for cross-site meetings. The Board meets monthly, online, via Zoom. Contact any of the Youth Advisory Board members for more information on their work, or contact Tom McKenna, BLTN NextGen Director, about the network as a whole.
Aiken, SC
Victor Salazar Nava is a senior at Aiken High School. His name may mean to be a winner and he may be valedictorian of his class, but winning to him has to do with so much more than himself! This is his second year in NextGen, and his first on the Youth Advisory Board. Most of Victor’s time is devoted to school, taking care of 55+ animals (chickens, goats, dogs and rabbits), assisting the librarians, and helping his mom with everything she has to do! Victor speaks Spanish and English, and is working on becoming trilingual as he learns Italian for his future business aspirations. “Next Generation is such a wonderful organization!,” Victor reflects. “It connects students from all parts of the United States as we do our part to better our communities!”
Jessica Wright, also a senior at Aiken High School, is president of Girls’ Bible Study, is on the social media team for National Honors Society, and is a Fellowship Christian Athletes Student Leader. Jessica hails from Jacksonville, Florida and has a passion for public speaking. “I want to do NextGen due to its constant progress,” she says. “NextGen produces events and activities causing significant and immediate change within communities. It makes me a go-getter and more confident in our cause every day.”
Atlanta, GA
Ni-khole Golding is a junior at Booker T. Washington High School and a member of “These Halls Can Talk,” an oral history project dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories of her community. Through this project, Ni-khole reflects, “I have developed a deeper appreciation for the power of giving people a platform to share their experiences. My involvement with the project inspired me to join the NextGen YAB, where I hope to continue learning how young people can use their voices to create meaningful change.” In addition to her community work, Ni-khole is conducting breast cancer research at Georgia Tech, which has strengthened her interest in science and healthcare. Through NextGen YAB, Ni-khole hopes to grow as a leader while contributing her perspective and experiences to the group.
Nikoh Golding, also a junior at Booker T. Washington High School, is a top-ten-percent scholar and dual-enrollment student whose leadership is shaped by service, advocacy, and creative expression.
Through HOSA, the Distinguished Gentlemen’s Club, the Student Government Association, and the Emory Pipeline Collaborative, Nikoh continues to strengthen his voice as a student leader and community advocate. Grounded by his passions for photography, music, sewing, and fashion, he balances academics with creativity, using each outlet to stay centered and connected to the people he serves. His work reflects a deep commitment to representation, storytelling, and ensuring student voices are heard in every space that shapes their future.
Guided by Steph Curry’s reminder, “If you don’t fall, how are you going to know what getting up is like?” Nikoh treats struggle not as an obstacle to avoid, but as the foundation for the resilience that will carry him forward.
Henrico, VA
Sophia Dugger is a senior at J.R Tucker High School. She loves spending time with her friends and doing fun things with them. Sophia has a strong interest in chemistry and hopes to major in that discipline in college. Her favorite color is green and she loves otters. “I want to be in NextGen to make connections with people outside of my community,” says Sophia. “I am super excited for my journey through NextGen!”
Maya Khanas is a junior at J.R. Tucker High School who participates in the IB program. For the past 11 years, she has had a passion for ballroom dancing and competed in competitions all over the country. Additionally, she started playing soccer in high school two years ago. About her role here, Maya says, “I want to be in NextGen to be able to be a part of something bigger and make an impact on somewhere larger than just my school.”
Lawrence, MA
Lucas Funez is a motivated business student (at Greater Lawrence Technical School) with years of leadership and teamwork experience. Skilled in customer service, effective communication, and building strong relationships, Lucas is driven “to bring a positive attitude, professionalism, and a passion for learning and career growth opportunities to every role.” He looks forward to meeting new people through NextGen.
Chanel Jimenez joined NextGen in order to make an impact on the community through poetry. “My love for poetry is something I hold very dear,” she writes. “I am looking for ways to have a positive impact on the community through my love for literature and poetry.”
Louisville, KY
Asmo Mohamed is a 16 year old junior at Fern Creek High in Louisville. Asmo likes to read and has recently picked up crocheting as a hobby, “I am commiting to BLTN as a youth advisor, writes Asmo, “because I want to make a difference in and outside of my community.”
Blue Snowden is a senior at Atherton High School in Louisville. Blue enjoys creating art and music, and loves spending time outside! “I hope to grow my school’s NextGen club by making it more accessible for students to get involved in community activism,” Blue reflects.
Zainab “Zee” Sulemana is a junior representing Fern Creek High School. She likes to read, sleep, eat, wake up, and repeat it all over again! Her favorite book is currently The Silent Patient.
Navajo Nation
Gracie Sanchez is a sophomore at Rock Point Community School and currently serves as the vice-president of her class. She thrives on spending time with her close friends and family. She is passionate about sports, particularly softball and volleyball. Gracie’s Navajo culture is incredibly important to her, and she expresses it through singing and traditional attire. She is deeply committed to public speaking, advocating for others, and ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard.
Matea Toney is a 15 year-old sophomore at Rock Point Community School. She has been a part of NextGen for about a year now. The oldest of five siblings, Matea likes to play sports, and she enjoys traveling.
Philadelphia, PA
Leila Golzari Hunt joined NextGen because of her passion for advocacy and amplifying student voices. Outside of NextGen, she is involved in many different organizations and leadership roles that allow her to connect with students and help get their voices heard, especially through writing and increasing civic engagement. In the past, Leila has been especially involved in writing op-eds for publication in prominent newspapers, allowing her to share the perspectives of students with a large audience. Leila reflects, “NextGen is a space where I am able to create campaigns and work on projects that help highlight the needs of my community and work toward creating tangible change.” Leila is in her junior year at Phildelphia’s Julia R. Masterman High School.
Olivia Kang is a current high school junior in Philadelphia. “I joined NextGen,” Olivia writes, “because of my passion to advocate for the wellbeing and safety of all, and understanding what issues — political or social — are threatening those aspects. NextGen has been a place for me to discuss current events at length, advocate for issues that I’m passionate about, and make a genuine impact as a result.” Outside of NextGen, Olivia connects her passion for advocacy with her love for science. She is involved in anorexia nervosa research and advocacy, studying how anorexia nervosa biologically impacts individuals, especially teenagers. Through NextGen’s Youth Advisory Board, Olivia hopes to further her advocacy skills and propel her passions to create tangible change.
Claudia Wibowo is a senior at Julia R. Masterman High School with a strong interest in forensic science and art. She is especially passionate about criminal justice and immigration enforcement issues, including the impact of agencies like ICE. “By joining NextGen’s Youth Advisory Board, I hope to continue questioning the systems we contribute to and find ways to make them fairer and more empathetic,” comments Claudia.
Santa Fe, NM
Phillip Fragua is from Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico, and currently a junior attending Santa Fe Indian School. He is an aspiring aerospace nuclear propulsion engineer, and is working on a personal research project on nuclear metals. Phillip enjoys spending his free time playing golf and participating in drone and robotics clubs. “I am involved with NextGen because of the opportunity to take action to benefit our community of Santa Fe,” he writes. “Also, I want to not only help our community, but to help and learn from other sites around the country.”
Latrisha “Tree” Quintana is 17 years old and a proud Native American. Politics are very important to her and her dream is to become a teacher.
Vermont
An 11th grader at The Sharon Academy, Patrick Ryan likes to be in nature and to play video games. He has a passion for using his voice and speaking out, and would like to use that voice as an opportunity to help others through NextGen, and to leave a positive and long lasting impact on his local (and widespread) community.
Ellie Thibodeau is a sophomore at The Sharon Academy.She enjoys playing soccer. About NextGen participation, she remarks, “I think that youth programs can help make a difference by opening minds up not just to adults but to the classmates and friends all around you. I have decided to do this program not only because it’s good for a resume but also because I want to help animals and people wherever I can, whether big or small.”
