A Conversation with YouthServe Alumni

One of YouthServe's greatest goals is that youth who enter our programs would become civically engaged, compassionate, and community-minded leaders, and that they would take these skills with them into their adult lives. Our alumni are proof that it works.

The following conversation took place at our 2024 Youth Leadership Council retreat, when we invited four YouthServe alumni to share their experiences and advice with the newest group of youth leaders. Content has been edited and condensed for clarity.

First, an introduction...

Brooklyn Graham is a 2020 graduate of Clay-Chalkville High School, and is now working as a Pharmacy Technician and nursing student at UAB. Brooklyn was a member of Youth Philanthropy Council (YPC) for three years, and helped to organize the inaugural Alabama Youth Alliance Summit.

Marques McKinney also graduated from Clay-Chalkville High School in 2020, before going on to Mercer University. Marques is now a Financial Analyst at Microsoft. He served with YPC and Youth Action Council (YAC) for a total of four years.

Abigail Shepherd is a 2019 graduate of Indian Springs School. She went on to attend Dartmouth College, and is now working as a Scientist at Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory. Abigail participated in YouthServe's Urban Service Camp starting in 7th grade, and served with both YAC and YPC.

James Thornton graduated from Holy Family Cristo Rey High School in 2017. He attended Tennessee State University and is now working as Community Engagement and Outreach Coordinator at BuildUP Community School. James was a member of YAC for three years.

From left to right: Marques, Abigail, Brooklyn, and James.

Now for their conversation...

What was your favorite part of your time serving with YouthServe?
Abigail: So much of my perception of Birmingham now, and at the time, was shaped by YouthServe. Both in the community that I formed and met through YouthServe, and then beyond that, going to site visits and volunteering with Youth Action Council… I just gained such a different perspective of the city, and one that was very hopeful. My favorite part was the discussions that you’re able to have with people that are really passionate. That empowered me to speak up and be more confident in my own voice, and that definitely transferred into starting clubs at my school and writing - in so many ways beyond just YouthServe.

Marques: My favorite part was the process in itself. Being around other like-minded individuals, and debating, conversing about things that we didn’t talk about in school. Conversations about nonprofits, about where Alabama is going to be in the next five or ten years - those were not the types of conversations I had around my peers in school. So getting an opportunity to have those conversations with other people who were just as passionate about it taught me skills such as critical thinking and being able to process complex issues. I’ve taken that into my adult life and my career, because it’s how I approach any situation. In YouthServe, if you can think about it, you can achieve it, and so I’ve always taken that motto with me.

What did you learn in your time at YouthServe that has been the most helpful for you later in life?
Brooklyn: Something that YouthServe really taught me was how to be a person of action, and how to take that understanding and that mindset and exemplify it within life. And just being able to understand the social determinants that people may encounter, but that we are all created the same. We all may have our different struggles, but the common goal is that we’re gonna come here and serve and do something all together.

James: I have a few, but I would say the first is the power of community. In my current role, I'm at BuildUP Community School, and as I’m starting this new role I’m actually encountering some nonprofits that I served with while I was on YAC. Second, I would say my leadership abilities and capabilities started here with this organization. Starting my leadership here followed me into college and my professional career.

Abigail: I think YouthServe taught me a lot about how to organize events, and all the different people skills you learn here really do transfer into so many other paths you can take. Even if it seems like the spaces that you’re in in college don’t have volunteering events or don’t have a justice aspect to them, through YouthServe you’ll build the tools to bring those discussions into those spaces, and be more intentional about how to incorporate social justice into your work.

Marques: What I took from YouthServe was learning how to advocate for myself, learning how to advocate for others whose voices are not always present in the room, and learning how to do that in a very diplomatic way. I think YouthServe really helped me to understand that just because someone disagrees with you does not mean that you’re wrong, it just means that’s another conversation that needs to be had.

What advice would you give to all the young people currently participating in YouthServe’s programs?
Brooklyn: Go after the things that you want. Knowing that you have the path that you started at YouthServe, that you have these tools in your toolbox - how to write grants, how to speak professionally, how to network, how to advocate, how to be a caring and genuine person - I think that goes a long way. You are the leaders of Birmingham, the future generation, so take this time to gain all the skills to help you grow as a person. That’s something that YouthServe helped me to do. Everyone has a little piece of something that we all need. So if you can be yourself, authentic and genuine in all circumstances, bringing whatever you have for your community to the table, it will help us reach a common goal and make the world a better place.

James: To current participants, I would say really soak in this opportunity that you have. This is the only organization I’m familiar with that allows youth to have a voice and take charge. Normally at this young age, someone is telling you what to do and how to do it, but YouthServe allows you to take charge; you’re the ones driving the initiative, so it really does help you in whatever capacity you want to work in - it starts with YouthServe. Some of my oldest friends have come from YouthServe, and I think it’s so important that alumni continue to come back - it speaks volumes to what YouthServe is doing.