Jaqueza Thomas

Still processing this full-circle moment. On June 18th, I had the surreal honor of meeting President Barack Obama, someone who’s shaped the way I see leadership, service, and what’s possible for someone like me. I’ve looked up to him for as long as I can remember. To be in the same room with him… to shake his hand, share my story, and hear his encouragement firsthand I still don’t have all the words. This wasn’t just a photo op. It was a moment of reflection. Of alignment. Of purpose. It felt like everything I’ve been working toward every long day, every speech, every young person I’ve fought to uplift was being affirmed right then and there.

As a youth advocate, nonprofit founder, and a fighter for what’s right, I pour my heart into creating opportunities for the next generation. Not for recognition but because I know what it feels like to grow up in spaces that try to dim your light. I know what it’s like to be counted out before you’ve even had the chance to show what you’re capable of. That’s why I show up. That’s why I lead. To be featured by President Obama for the third time this year is beyond humbling but this one hit different. From the streets of the South Side, to Brazil, to Newark, to now... this journey has been about more than travel. It’s been about transformation.

And I wasn’t alone. I stood shoulder to shoulder with brilliant young men from Chicago and Newark leaders in the making as we reflected on our growth and the shared experiences that have shaped us. We come from different neighborhoods, but we carry the same mission:

To change the narrative.
To build a better future.
To lead with purpose.

This was more than a moment. It was a reminder that our stories matter. That when we invest in young people, when we create space for their voices, when we believe in their potential, anything is possible!!! I’m proud of how far I’ve come. And I’m even more excited for where I’m headed. This is what happens when passion meets purpose. And this? This is only the beginning.

📸: The Obama Foundation

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