Our Why

Next Generation Men & Women was founded in August 2014 by three educators who recognized that students attending Title I Schools (in particular young men and women of color) lacked exposure to professional examples and environments. Lagging graduation rates and post-secondary enrollment did not represent an achievement gap — but an opportunity gap, as students were without the necessary support to graduate and be prepared for College and Career.

Next Gen provides Atlanta youth with regular exposure to career pathways, professionals, work environments and personalized support in the form of Teachers and College Mentors.

Our Mission

To close the opportunity gap for under-resourced students in Atlanta through exposure and support to graduate prepared for college and career.

Our Vision

Every student is prepared to seize the opportunities life has to offer.

Leadership

Phil Olaleye

Executive Director
Bio

Tim Eldredge

Operations Manager
Bio

Veronica López-Delgado

Programs Manager
Bio

Khayree Womack

Programs Coordinator
Bio

Netanya Bledsoe

AmeriCorps VISTA
Site Coordinator
Bio

Jessica Jeanlys

AmeriCorps VISTA
Site Coordinator
Bio

Board of Directors

Dina Bailey

Mountain Top Vision

Chief Executive Officer

Board Chair

Leonte Benton

T. Dallas Smith & Co.

Vice President

Ian Cohen

Center for Civic Innovation

Co-Director, Fellowship Program

Ashani O'Mard

Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership

Senior Director of Capital Development

Brian Sadler

University of Georgia - Terry School of Business

Instructor

Treasurer

Travis Salters

Purpose Built Schools

Manager, Community & Family Engagement

Secretary

Sabrina Serafin

Frazier & Deeter

Partner

Tori Silas

Nelson Mullins

Partner

Ben Sperling

New York University

Stern School of Business

Kevin Thomas

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Market Director

Chris Thomas

Chick-fil-A

Senior Lead Adviser, Franchisee Selection

Samuel Wakefield

The Wakefield & Walker Group

Co-Founder & Partner

Vice Chair

Advisory Council

Arlenis Almonte

Chick-fil-A

Sr. Project Lead, Integrated Creative - Multicultural

Jennifer Grove

WSB-TV | Cox Media Group

Manager of Community Affairs

Jessica Johnson

Georgia Chamber of Commerce

Business Development Manager

Luke Lindsey

American Red Cross

Regional Philanthropy Officer

Rob Schuler

Cox Communications

Senior Director of Strategic Technologies

Sara Simonds

Deloitte

Senior Manager, Audit

JP Ortiz

Microsoft

Customer Success Manager

Daniel L. Stahl

BDO USA

Senior Assurance Manager

Christen Wright

Delta

Customer Experience Strategy, Digital

Arlenis Almonte

Chick-fil-A

Sr. Project Lead, Integrated Creative - Multicultural

Jennifer Grove

WSB-TV | Cox Media Group

Manager of Community Affairs

Jessica Johnson

Georgia Chamber of Commerce

Business Development Manager

Luke Lindsey

American Red Cross

Regional Philanthropy Officer

Rob Schuler

Cox Communications

Senior Director of Strategic Technologies

Sara Simonds

Deloitte

Senior Manager, Audit

JP Ortiz

Microsoft

Customer Success Manager

Daniel L. Stahl

BDO USA

Senior Assurance Manager

Christen Wright

Delta

Customer Experience Strategy, Digital

Exposure Partners

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Exposure Partners

Supporters

AECF
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next-gen-community-foundation-for-greater-atlanta
GAPower
next-gen-the-spartan-lanier
next-gen-walton-family-foundation
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deloitte
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KH
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Next Gen in the News

GoodWorks Show
Georgia Public Broadcasting
Walton Family Foundation Blog
WSB-TV 2019 Next Gen Games
WSB-TV 2019 Sponsor-A-Student Campaign
GoodWorks Show
Georgia Public Broadcasting
Walton Family Foundation Blog
WSB-TV 2019 Next Gen Games
WSB-TV 2019 Sponsor-A-Student Campaign
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WSB-TV 2019 Sponsor-A-Student Campaign
October 14, 2019
GoodWorks Show
September 24, 2019
Georgia Public Broadcasting
November 27, 2018
WSB-TV 2019 Next Gen Games
March 31, 2019
Walton Family Foundation Blog
January 3, 2019

Our Community

Alumni

Amadou
NGM Class of 2018
Georgia Tech Class of 2022

Teacher Coach

Ms. Bennett
NGW Class of 2021
Creekside High School

Student

Jordan
NGM Class of 2020
Creekside High School

College Mentor

Paul
NGM Class of 2019
Morehouse College

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Phil Olaleye

Executive Director
Linkedin Twitter

Raised in Stone Mountain, GA – Phil earned his B.A. in Public Policy Studies from Duke and his Masters in Public Policy from Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Phil previously served as the Director of Performance Management at WorkSource Atlanta, as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in the Philippines and was a Sales and Trading Analyst with Citigroup in New York City. A 2017 LEAD Atlanta Alum, Phil is a huge UGA Football Fan (#keepchopping) and passionate about leading institutional impact focused on delivering services and programming to youth and communities most in need.

Tim Eldredge

Operations Manager
Linkedin Twitter

From Portland, Oregon – Tim graduated with a B.A. in Sociology and Political Science from the University of Oregon. Prior to Next Gen, Tim directed the staffing and communications operations for Camp Laurel, a world-renowned summer camp. He began his post-grad career as a STEM Teacher at a Title I Elementary School in Portland. Tim enjoys the outdoors, playing basketball and practicing yoga. As a first-generation college student, Tim is passionate about closing the opportunity gap through community-centered programming.

Veronica López-Delgado

Programs Manager
Linkedin Twitter

From Leeds, Alabama – Veronica attended Princeton and received a B.A. in Sociology with a minor in Gender and Sexuality Studies. A Teach for America Corps member, Veronica previously taught middle school math in both Henderson, NC and New Haven, CT. Veronica enjoys spending time with her family, watching Alabama football and hiking. As a first-generation college student, Veronica is committed to fighting systemic inequality through education.

Khayree Womack

Programs Coordinator
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From San Diego, California – Khayree attended the University of Idaho and North Carolina A&T, where he received his B.A. in Sociology and Psychology and played football. Khayree grew up around his mother’s youth development program and has been involved as a mentor and mentee since his youth. Khayree enjoys giving back to his community, reading up on health and wellness and rooting on his Philly sports teams. Khayree is deeply passionate about community engagement and youth development.

Netanya Bledsoe

AmeriCorps VISTA Site Coordinator

Raised in Seattle, WA – Netanya earned her B.A. in Psychology from Whittier College in Whittier, CA. Netanya previously worked in education as an instructor to Pre-K students as well as a Program Coordinator for elementary and middle school students. A former youth basketball coach, Netanya is huge basketball and football fan (go Seahawks!) and is committed to working with youth to help them reach their full potential. 

Jessica Jeanlys

AmeriCorps VISTA Site Coordinator

Born in Louisiana- raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Jessica began her educational journey at Atlanta Metropolitan State College. Finding her passion for education and student relationships, Jessica became a mentor for Girl Power and My Brothers Keeper. She’s an avid Saints fan (#WhoDat) and ever passionate about literacy in her community. Jessica hopes to keep impacting her community through her three Es: Exposure, Education and Empowerment.