Hartford, Conn. – Bank of America today announced that four Hartford-area high school juniors and seniors have been selected as Bank of America Student Leaders (#BofAStudentLeaders). The students have kicked off their paid summer experience focused on workforce development skills, leadership training, and civic engagement through paid internships with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford. This year, students will once again have the option to voluntarily participate in in-person activities as part of the internship.
The Class of 2021 Hartford Bank of America Student Leaders are:
- Alimeline Irankunda, a Hartford resident and recent graduate of Bulkeley High School
- Ibukunoluwa Oluborode, a New Britain resident and rising senior at the University High School of Science and Engineering
- Kellyannie Medina, a Hartford resident and rising senior at Connecticut River Academy
- Micah Alphonso, a Hartford resident and recent graduate of Berlin High School
The Student Leaders program, which started in 2004, annually recognizes 300 community-focused juniors and seniors from across the U.S. The Hartford-based Student Leaders will engage in an eight-week paid internship and participate in programming that includes a collaborative, mentor-focused project working closely with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford. This year they will be serving as counselors for the Boys & Girls Club’s Summer Fun Club at three different Boys & Girls Club locations in Hartford.
“The Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford strives to provide pathways to opportunities for youth and teens throughout the region,” said Sam Gray, President and Chief Executive Officer, Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford. “We look forward to hosting and providing Bank of America’s Student Leaders with leadership skills every summer. They bring value to our organization and represent the next generation of Hartford’s workforce.”
All four Student Leaders are eager to learn new leadership skills that they can apply within their community. They all share a deep passion for addressing poverty, homelessness, health disparities, and racial inequities in the region and hope to use their newly acquired skills to improve the Greater Hartford community moving forward.
“Bank of America is grateful for our continued partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford and their dedication to the Student Leaders program for the 18th year in a row,” said Joe Gianni, President, Bank of America in Greater Hartford. “Each year, I am inspired by our Student Leaders and their passion to address critical issues facing Greater Hartford. The Student Leaders program is part of our broader commitment to connect young people to the education and training they need to enter today’s workforce and is one example of how we are working to champion jobs in our community.”
As part of this summer’s program, Student Leaders will also take part in a virtual Summit in partnership with the Close Up Foundation to participate in Stanford University’s Young Democracy at Home program, which encourages conversation about current issues facing young people today. In addition, students will learn about the vital role nonprofits play in advancing their communities and the importance of public-private partnerships to drive social change.
Bank of America
At Bank of America, we’re guided by a common purpose to help make financial lives better, through the power of every connection. We’re delivering on this through responsible growth with a focus on our environmental, social, and governance (ESG) leadership. ESG is embedded across our eight lines of business and reflects how we help fuel the global economy, build trust and credibility, and represent a company that people want to work for, invest in, and do business with. It’s demonstrated in the inclusive and supportive workplace we create for our employees, the responsible products and services we offer our clients, and the impact we make around the world in helping local economies thrive. An important part of this work is forming strong partnerships with nonprofits and advocacy groups, such as community, consumer and environmental organizations, to bring together our collective networks and expertise to achieve greater impact. Learn more at about.bankofamerica.com, and connect with us on Twitter (@BofA_News).
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About Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford fills the gap between school and home and touches the lives of 10,000 youth each year, providing a welcoming and positive environment. Founded by four women in 1860, The Boys & Girls is the nation’s first Club. We have nine locations in the Hartford area neighborhoods and schools, making it convenient for our families. The Boys & Girls Club’s mission is to enable all young people, especially those most in need, to realize their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens – putting them on pathways to a Great Future. For more information, please visit bgchartford.org.