Over the last few years, recent changes to the NCAA's NIL (name, image, likeness) rules have drastically changed the landscape of college athletics. While student-athletes are now able to use their names and images in ads, appearances and promotions, many have begun to use their influence to support charitable causes they are passionate about. Carolina Youth Coalition College Fellow and current UNC Chapel Hill cheerleader, Alycea Adams, is one of them! Alycea has chosen to use her platform to partner with CYC to raise funds for the organization's upcoming College Signing Day 5K on April 29th! Proceeds raised from the college-themed race will benefit CYC's College Persistence Program which ensures that CYC Fellows attending college have the support they need to persist through college, graduate on time, and launch their career or postgraduate studies. Alycea has set a goal to raise at least $500 for the 5K and is asking for your support! You can donate to her personal fundraiser at www.carolinayouth.org/alycea . A proud Tarheel, she is pursuing a B.S. Information Science and a minor in Entreprenuership with hopes of landing a career in Corporate Technology/Management. Alycea joined CYC just before her senior year at Mallard Creek High School and has seen firsthand how she and her have benefitted from the being a part of the program. "CYC created an extended support system of knowledgeable mentors that guided me throughout the college application process. The anxiety of figuring out how to pay for school, finding out there are so many scholarship opportunities, and internship opportunities are all thanks to you guys for showing me how to search for them. CYC is truly a family and I love connecting with younger CYC students because it's awesome being a person that can give advice. The exposure to internship opportunities has been tremendous! I just finished a spring semester marketing internship with GardHouse thanks to this opportunity being offered by CYC. Even seeing CYC at the Jumpman Invitational in Charlotte, it was heart-warming seeing the students and them asking about college and how I figured things out. Being able to tell them my experience was rewarding to be able to give back," says Alycea. On why she is passionate about using her platform for good, Alycea says, "Being a cheerleader, I have a passion for getting people involved and not being afraid to speak in front of crowds. As a cheerleader, we aren't recognized as "student-athlete" under NCAA rules, so we don't have the plentiful opportunities like other varsity sports. This makes me really excited to tell my story and support this event as a Charlotte native who grew up within Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and now being a student at UNC Chapel-Hill I can use my platform to give back to others." In addition to using her social media platform to raise money and publicize the event, she will also be helping to kick off the 5K during pre-race festivities. He Help Alycea reach her goal here ! Interested in running or walking in the the Signing Day 5K and Fun Run? Visit www.carolinayouth.org/5K to register! Carolina Youth Coalition is a Charlotte-based nonprofit that nurtures and propels high-achieving, under-resourced students to and through college. Learn more at www.carolinayouth.org .

Carolina Youth Coalition is proud to announce the addition of Molly Shaw to its board of directors. Molly has extensive experience working inside communities as well as private and public systems. “Carolina Youth Coalition was built on the premise that students shape and lead the CYC experience. It’s an honor to have the opportunity to help support CYC’s board and stellar team to empower students and advance equity," she says. Molly served as President and CEO of Communities In Schools of Charlotte-Mecklenburg (CIS) from 2011-2020 where she and 125 team members worked to empower, support, and case-manage more than 30,000 students annually in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School district. She is a graduate of Davidson College and the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Prior to joining Communities In Schools, Molly launched and led The Charlotte Teachers Institute (CTI), an initiative designed to strengthen teaching in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. She also spent several years at Davidson College serving in various fundraising roles. She has served on community boards to support organizations that promote early childhood learning, literacy, youth development, supportive housing, foster care and adoption, workforce development, the arts, and women’s collective giving. Molly has published op-eds and delivered talks locally and nationally on topics including economic mobility, educational trends and solutions, cradle to career success, social capital, trust-based philanthropy, and leadership. Molly is married to David Webb and has two children, Max (7) and Kate (5), and two dogs, Chewy and Champ. Welcome to the #DreamTeam, Molly!