With his sights firmly set on the future, Samuel understands the value of hard work, perseverance—and planning for multiple eventualities. He demonstrates this through his passion for music, which he hopes will lead to a career as a recording artist. But Samuel is not one to put all of his eggs in one basket. Like many leaders, he has a backup plan to become either a music teacher or a therapist. 

As an individual and in his work with Crossover, Samuel takes a people-oriented approach to leadership. Looking around his neighborhood, he sees areas for improvement and has a vision of his community as a place where people can feel safe and thrive. He believes that by talking to individuals and listening to why they feel unsafe, he can make an impact and take steps to protect them. It’s perhaps unsurprising then that he defines leadership as, “making good choices while also thinking of others.”

For Samuel, Crossover is somewhere he can feel safe himself, allowing him to unwind and grow in his faith. He describes it as, “a place you can come to to chill after a hard day but also where you can come if you really want to hear the Word.” Beyond enjoying the company at Crossover, Samuel firmly believes that the group is helping him to achieve his ambitions. In particular, he singles out the Influential Leaders Program, which teaches key social skills as well as how to step up as a leader when necessary. 

Samuel undoubtedly has a bright future ahead of him. Even at 16 years old, his vision, faith, and compassion-based mindset will undoubtedly set him apart from those around him. Until then, through a mixture of Bible-based learning, community support, and Miss Jodi’s excellent cooking, he’s gaining the skills needed to create a lasting impact.