Today we’d like to introduce you to Kevin Nwogu
Hi Kevin, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
This journey of Servant Leader Scholars began in 2019 as a scholarship program when God placed it on my heart to give back to my alma mater, Stephenson High School after my freshman year at the University of Georgia. Going from my high school with 99% minority enrollment to a predominantly white institution, I witnessed firsthand the disparities between my predominantly white university experience and the realities of my high school classmates (some of which were also my realities).
The initial Servant Leader Scholarship, named for the leadership philosophy that deeply resonates with me, prioritizes serving others and enriching the lives of individuals. My community poured so much into me from teachers, coaches, and peers. I’ve always been aware I’m not on this journey alone, and so for 19-year-old me at the time, it was important to give back to the community that had nurtured me and lifted me up.
After awarding 2 scholarships to students at my former high school, the scholarship evolved into the Servant Leader Scholars Program, a comprehensive initiative that supports students throughout their college journey. Through mentorship, community service projects, and personal development workshops, we aim to empower Georgia students to become agents of change within their communities while developing tangible professional service-oriented skills for their careers.
Fast forward to today, what began as a solo endeavor has blossomed into a thriving 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, serving both high school and college students across the state of Georgia from schools such as UGA, Georgia Tech, Spelman, and Morehouse. We’ve raised over $60,000, created valuable community partnerships, and assembled a dedicated team of 15+ executive team volunteers and board members. This journey has been a testament to the power of community and the unwavering support of God.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The journey has certainly not been easy, but I always say it’s been a labor of love and God has provided for us every step of the way. Nonprofits, by their very nature, operate on tight budgets and lean teams. We rely heavily on the dedication of our volunteer board and staff, many of whom juggle full-time careers and personal commitments alongside their service to Servant Leader Scholars. Securing consistent funding, building brand awareness, and navigating the complexities of a growing organization have presented ongoing challenges.
However, these obstacles have only strengthened our resolve and determine towards our mission. We believe that every challenge presents an opportunity for growth and unique innovation. We’ve learned to leverage our limited resources creatively, foster strong community partnerships, and intentionally prioritize our scholars.
Ultimately, this work is deeply rewarding. Witnessing the transformative impact of our programs on the lives of young people – empowering them to become leaders, inspiring them to serve their communities, and equipping them with the professionals tools to succeed – makes every challenge worthwhile.
My guiding question is, “What do you hope to be true in the world because you are in it?” Through our efforts, I believe we are fostering a more hopeful, inspired, and empowered community, one where individuals are driven to make a positive impact on the world around them.”
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Servant Leader Scholars is a Georgia-based 501(c3) non-profit organization founded in 2019. Our mission is to cultivate servant leadership and provide advancement opportunities for high school and collegiate students of color who are underrepresented in the business and tech industry (Black+, Native American, and Latinx). Our robust and expansive programs and initiatives are built upon three pillars: 1) service and leadership, 2) career development, and 3) community empowerment.
We host career and leadership development programs over the course of both 2 months and 6 months to prepare historically underrepresented for careers in the tech and business industry, while inspiring them to become active leaders of service in their communities through active service learning opportunities, mentor matching, career-readiness workshops (resume reviews, mock interviews), tours of the Google and Microsoft office, and group coaching sessions. Scholars in our programs also receive scholarships up to $500 to use towards either their school expenses or career development to help register for coding bootcamps or even conferences such as AfroTech.
Our organization hosts a Day of Service, which our students get to lead and execute, building their project management experience while providing an opportunity to serve their community. That’s our goal — finding unique ways to converge leadership with professional development. This past year, we partnered with Lifting our Voices for a Sandwich Run, where our students brought out over 80+ community members to pack 800 sandwiches for the unhoused ATL population, and raise almost $3,000 for future scholar programming initiatives.
We also partner with Google and Coursera to distribute career certificates to students to receive free training on several subjects such as Data Analytics, AI, and Project Management, outside of their school coursework to bolster their resumes.
This year, we’re launching an in-house Community Grant to help a young leader within Georgia develop and implement a community-based project. I’ve found that young leaders oftentimes want to give back and serve their communities in big ways, but access to resources and monetary funds is the main barrier for them moving forward. This also became the barrier for me when the vision for Servant Leader Scholars was placed on my heart in 2019. I want to encourage those with big dreams to action towards them and help remove as much barriers as we can through this organization.
As you can see, we do a lot! Our organization prides itself on high-quality programs and initiatives that develop and provide marginalized students in a holistic manner; personally, professionally, and socially. We recognize the challenge for underrepresented students extend beyond academic preparation; it encompasses development of essential soft skills and professional acumen, vital for navigating and excelling in the their professional industries and communities.
Our team of volunteers are so committed to this work because we all have been where these students were years ago (and even today in some way within our careers) and it’s important for us to pay it forward. We’re lucky enough to get to work with some amazing and talent students across the state of Georgia, and our genuine hope is that they leave our programs feeling prepared, inspired, and filled.
Overall, I’d have to say what I’m most proud of is that even as our organization grows and evolves, we continue to remain true our core of helping others and doing so with intentionality.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
My genuine care for others and desire to serve God have been the cornerstone of my success. This deep-seated commitment, rooted in my faith, fuels my work ethic and drives me to strive for excellence in all that I do. I find true fulfillment in knowing that I am making a positive impact on the lives of others. Whether it’s through my professional work at Google, my pursuit of a Master’s in Business Administration, or simply lending an ear to a friend in need, I strive to steward my blessings to uplift and empower those around me. This unwavering focus on service has not only shaped my character but has also provided me with an enduring sense of purpose that motivates me to overcome challenges and strive for continuous growth.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.servantleaderscholars.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/servantleaderscholars
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/servantleaderscholars
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/servantleaderscholars/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@servantleaderscholars
Image Credits
Drayton McJunkins
