30 leaders of the future

Ebony, Nov, 1996 by Lynn Norment

Ali Lynn Turner (right), 29, executive legislative director for Dade Co. Commissioner Alexander Penelas, Miami; founding member and vice president, Suited for Success, which advances interview preparedness for women on public assistance; former secretary, Black Lawyers Association, committee member, Metro-Miami Heart Walk 1996 volunteer, NAACP Operation Registration, 1994-95 participant, Leadership Miami.

Demarre McGill (left), 22, Chicago, Juilliard School of Music student and dynamic flutist who has soloed with the Chicago Symphony orchestra as well as orchestras in Philadelpbia, Pittsburgh, Milwaukee and Baltimore; this season he will perform during the Ravinia Festival "Rising Star" series; minner of first-prize award in the Flute Talk Competition.

Michael P. McMillan (right), 25, administrative assistant to St. Louis Mayor; executive director and president, Young Democrats of St. Louis, board member, Urban League of St. Louis, William Clay Scholarship Fund, St. Louis Gateway Classic Foundation, and Better Family life; vice chair, Carver Community Education Council@ member, St. Louis Black Leadership Roundtable.

Jonathan Nash Jr. (left), 28, associate counsel, Kutak Rock law Firm, Omaha, Neb., board member, The Boys and Girls Clubs of Omaha and Butler-Gast YMCA, member, advisory board, 4-Pro Education organization, which emphasizes education over sports to youth; former participant, Leadership Omaha and a member of Leadership Omaha curriculum committee and selection committee.

Demetrius D. Shelton (right), 30, associate with Walsworth, Franklin, Bevins & McCall law firm San Francisco; board member and outreach chair, Charles Houston Bar Assn.; recipient of the Charles Houston Bar Assn. Presidents Award, board member, California Assn. of Black Lawyers and Legal Services for Prisoners with Children; coaches high school students for the Wiley Manuel Moot Court Competition.

Kelly Veney (left), 27, federal coordinator, Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, Mayor's Office, Atlanta; board member, the Phoenix Organization, a community service organization; volunteer at CCC Moreland Avenue Women and Children's Shelter; former Woodrow Wilson Fellow and Congressional Black Caucus Fellow.

Tracy Sherrod (right), 30, editor, Henry Holt and Co., N. Y City; evaluates manuscripts, negotiates with agents, acquires books, edits and champions books through publishing process, continuing education instructor, New York Univ.; member, PEN/Open Book Committee; mentor to young women in publishing; volunteer, Goddard . Community Center Book Fair., volunteer docent, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.

Gina Dent (left), 30, assistant professor, English and African-American Studies Departments, Princeton University, Princeton, N.J.; doctoral degree candidate in English and comparative literature, Columbia University; editor, Black Popular Culture (Bay Press/Seattle); mentor and advisor for the Mellon Foundation, the Ford Foundation and the MAC Program.

Lakendrick M. Wilson (right), 24, engineering specialist, Federal Express Corp., Memphis; president, National inroads Alumni Assn./Memphis; board member, Inroads/Memphis, board member, Univ. of Tenn. Alumni Assn., Memphis Chapter; board member, UT Knoxville Black Alumni Associates., board member, Grace House of Memphis; member, United Way sub-allocations committee; Sunday School teacher, Lane's Chapel C.M.E. Church.