Believing in Emerging Young Leaders

Where do you go as a young person to make a difference in your community? For many that might be through their church, a sports team, or volunteering on the weekends with their family. If you don’t have access to that kind of network, it can be hard to find ways to give back and connect deeply with others.

Twenty years ago, 15-year-old Megan Mills Anderson found her voice as an inaugural member of the Youth Grantmakers in Action (YGA) program through The Winston-Salem Foundation. The idea behind YGA was simple, yet unique—empowering young people to lead through philanthropy, to learn from each other, and make decisions about how to fund community projects.

At the time, Megan had no idea this monthly afterschool program would have such a huge impact on her life. She reflected, “I can speak from experience that the youth who participate are so eager to make their community better. To make this world better. When they find YGA, it’s their lightbulb. It’s a chance to learn about philanthropy and the process of giving, but also an opportunity to learn how to be leaders in their own communities.”

Born and raised in Winston-Salem, Megan attended public schools and pursued higher education at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in nearby Greensboro. After college, her commitment to her hometown deepened as she bought a home not far from where she grew up in East Winston-Salem. Throughout her early career as a public school teacher, Megan felt drawn back to YGA, returning on a regular basis to volunteer and assist. Megan found a lot of joy in giving back to the community that had nurtured her, returning to a space where youth voices were not only heard but were at the forefront of change. She emphasized, “YGA is 100% youth led. I don’t think people realize how important that part of the program is. These students are listening, learning, and making decisions in the room together. They put boots on the ground to get the word out there about grant opportunities and network with youth out in the community to make things happen.”

"The youth who particiapte are so eager to make their community better. To make this world better. When they find YGA, it's their lightbulb. It's a chance to learn about philanthropy and the process of giving, but also an opportunity to learn how to be leaders in their own communities."

One aspect of the program turns out to be more beneficial than anyone could have imagined: developing social connectedness with others. In fact, data shows that places with greater social capital tend to have higher levels of upward mobility, often because a child’s aspirations are shaped by the people around them. Programs that bring people together across lines of race and income—like mentoring, integrated schools, inclusive civic spaces, and leadership pipelines—build the kind of trust and connection that are essential for thriving communities.

“I’ve seen firsthand how important it is for students to build relationships across differences,” said Megan. “Since its early days, YGA has recruited students from across Forsyth County, including youth from private schools, public schools, and charter schools. Students get a chance to learn from each other and come to understand that just because they’re facing a challenge in their neighborhood, doesn’t mean that’s what’s going on right down the street or in another part of the county. More than that, they learn how to have civic discourse and how to come to consensus with their peers."

Over time, Megan’s dedication and leadership skills made her a perfect lead facilitator for YGA. Today, she continues to foster a sense of community among the youth, just as YGA had done for her years ago. By day, Megan uses the skills she cultivated through YGA to help find solutions to workforce pipeline challenges at Atrium Health Northwest Area Health Education Center, facilitating conversations between educators and employers to help close the healthcare talent gap. She noted, “YGA is truly a one-of-a-kind program. I’m proud to be part of a program that not only shaped my life but continues to inspire and empower the next generation of leaders.