The fast track: 30 leaders who are 30 and under

Ebony, Feb, 2004

CONTRARY to the general perception that young people are narcissistic and self-centered, this year's group of young leaders are exceptionally talented and industrious young adults who have vision and goals and a plan to accomplish them. There are three state representatives and other elected officials who feel that the best way they could make a contribution is by serving in public office. In addition, there are entrepreneurs, financial experts, media and corporate executives, educators, religious leaders, attorneys, an internationally recognized cellist and a 14-year-old professional soccer star.

All of these outstanding young people represent not only themselves but also thousands of other talented young African-Americans. Like many of their peers, they are excelling and making strides but, just as importantly, they are giving back to their communities.

OLUWABUSAYO FOLARIN, 22, Grand Prairie, Texas, Morehouse College student who recently was named a Rhodes Scholar and will study at Oxford University in England for two years; plans to attend law school and run for public office; born in the U.S. of Nigerian parents.

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JALILA JEFFERSON, 28, New Orleans, an attorney who was recently elected state representative of Louisiana District 91; vice president, CHESS Foundation, which supports creation of a burn center; board member, REAL (which teaches history to law-income youth). Lindy's Place (a transition home for women addicted to drugs and alcohol), CASA (advocates for children in juvenile court), Books to You and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra; member, Advisory Committee, Dress for Success (helps low-income women prepare for job market), and member of the advisory board of WOW home ownership program.

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JONATHAN A. GLOVER, 29, Asheville, N.C., financial advisor, Merrill Lynch & Co.; appointed by mayor to Asheville Housing Authority; elected by Asheville City Council as alternate for the Asheville Board of Adjustments; chair, Fundraising Committee for Kid's Voting of Asheville; member, executive board, Asheville-Buncombe Vision; chair of Diversity Advisory Council of Carolina Day School; member of University of North Carolina Asheville diversity efforts; volunteers with the YWCA Women's Advisory Board and Caring for Children; board member, North Carolina Arboretum Society.

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PATRICE JACKSON, 21, St. Louis, acclaimed cellist who studies at the prestigious Juilliard School of Music in New York City; 2002 first-place senior division winner of the prestigious Sphinx Competition for African and Latino String Players, for which she received a $10,000 award; featured on cover of Strings magazine, an international classical music publication; has performed with the Johannesburg Initiative Orchestra and the Free State Orchestra, both in South Africa; also has or will perform with major orchestras in Chicago, Detroit, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Boston, Baltimore, St. Louis, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh and Puerto Rico; Yale University School of Music graduate.

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TAHIRA GITTENS ADELEKAN, M.D., 30, Philadelphia, developmental and behavioral pediatric fellow at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia; recipient of the Doris Millman Award for excellence from State University of New York Health Science Center, for which she now volunteers as a provider in the Neuro-developmental Clinic; elected representative of the Resident Action Group which acts as liaison between administration and residents; member, Committee of Interns and Residents; member of team of scientists and health care professionals investigating Down Syndrome.

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FREDDY ADU, 14, Washington, D.C., area, exceptionally skilled and poised soccer player who recently signed a six-year deal with Major League Soccer that will pay him $500,000 a year, making him the highest-paid player in the league; already has $1 million endorsement deal with Nike; plays with D.C. United soccer team; American citizen who was born in Ghana.

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KEVAN ABRAHAMS, 29, Hempstead, N.Y., member of the Nassau County Legislature; youngest African-American legislator ever elected in the state; chair, Minority Affairs Committee and Health and Human Services Committee; vice chair, Government Services and Economic Development and Labor committees; former finance director for Nassau County legislative staff; former legislative assistant and deputy district director for former Congressman Floyd H. Flake.

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TUMAR L. ALEXANDER, 28, Philadelphia, assistant managing director, City of Philadelphia; responsible for daily operation of the city's Neighborhood Transformation Initiative's Vacant Lot Program and coordinating city services to neighborhoods; member, board of directors, Philadelphia Anti-Drug/Anti-Violence Network, Men & Women for Human Excellence, and Columbia North YMCA; member, Men United for Better Philadelphia.

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MAWI ASGEDOM, 27, Chicago, author, Of Beetles and Angels: A Boy's Remarkable Journey from a Refugee Camp to Harvard (2002) and The Code: The 5 Secrets of Teen Success (2003); motivational speaker who has launched Every Teen a Leader character-building program, which offers teenagers and schools leadership training.