Bank of America today announced that the two Augusta high school juniors and seniors selected as Student Leaders (#BofAStudentLeaders) have started their paid summer internship experience of leadership, civic engagement, and workforce skills-building. In light of the health concerns that remain in local communities, the program has been adapted to a virtual format, through which students will have the opportunity to participate in sessions that will expose them to the vital role that nonprofits play in advancing community health, the importance of public private partnerships to advance social change, and a focus on building financial acumen.

The Class of 2020 Augusta-based Bank of America Student Leaders are:

• Tyrique Robinson, Cross Creek High School

• Alexis Weather, A.R. Johnson Health Science & Engineering Magnet School

Augusta Student Leaders will participate in programming that leverages Bank of America’s national partnerships and expertise and will work closely with the bank’s Augusta leadership and nonprofit partners. They will participate in a collaborative, mentoring-focused experience working closely with Golden Harvest Food Bank, Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia and the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) and United Way of the CSRA. The students will also work with fellow Student Leaders from across the region to develop a story bank tool that nonprofits can utilize for fundraising and advocacy. In addition, Student Leaders will engage in conversations focused on social justice, civil rights and how to build a more diverse and inclusive society and have the opportunity to gain a better understanding of their personal finances through Better Money Habits®, Bank of America’s financial wellness and education platform. 

Bringing students from across the country together in order to discuss the role of citizenship and how cross sector collaboration creates community impact is a core component of the Student Leaders program. This year, 300 students will gather virtually for the Young America Together at Home program, delivered by the Close Up Foundation, which will include discussion of finding one’s voice in order to effect change and pressing policy issues such as the economy, healthcare, the environment and immigration.

“Now more than ever, as we collectively navigate the challenges we face in our communities, we remain committed to supporting youth and young adults of all backgrounds by connecting them to jobs, skills-building and leadership development,” said Ora Parish, Augusta market president for Bank of America. “Creating opportunities for our youth to gain skills and build a network is a powerful investment in the future of our community.”

Now in particular, in the wake of significant job losses nationwide, the ability to earn a paycheck will be essential to many young people whether they are helping to support their families or planning for the future. As part of their Student Leader experience, each student will receive a $5,000 stipend to recognize them for their community achievements.

Recent estimates suggest that the number of disconnected youth – those who aren’t in school and don’t have a job – has likely tripled since last year and could be as high as 18 million. Without access to opportunities that build career skills, many young people may be left behind, leading to high rates of youth unemployment and hindering overall economic progress. This summer, Bank of America is connecting approximately 3,000 young adults nationally to summer jobs through partnerships with nonprofits and local mayors and its own Student Leaders® program. In Augusta, the bank selected their Student Leaders in partnership with the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce and Richmond County school district through the Student2Work Internship program which high school students gain valuable workforce skills.