St. Louis, MO [Mar. 5, 2018] – America’s Promise Alliance (APA), the nation’s largest network dedicated to improving the lives of children and youth, has elected Wyman’s Teen Leadership Program (TLP) alum, Alexis Creamer, to serve as a trustee to help guide the alliance.
The APA is led by former U.S. Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Colin Powell, and is focused on ending the nation’s high school dropout crisis. In her role, Creamer is utilizing her skills, background and experience to make a difference in the lives of others. Creamer will serve a two-year term. Currently, she’s supporting the organization in its quest to help schools improve emotional and physical health in their school and community environments.
“To be selected to serve in this role helps me understand that I truly matter, and that my struggles and hardships have a purpose. I know that I have a distinct role in combating the country’s high school dropout crisis and that I can inspire others, just like me, to attend and persist through college. I know I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for Wyman helping me realize that I can use my perspective to help others,” said Creamer.
Creamer is a senior at Missouri State University and is majoring in marketing and technical writing. While at Missouri State, Alexis is creating more equitable circumstances for her peers of color. She is working to make college more accessible to incoming African-American freshman as a member of the Diversity Recruitment Council, where she uses her voice to advocate for more students of color. As a University Ambassador, she gives these prospective students a view of the campus that they can relate to. She also mentors teens in Wyman’s programs entering their first year at Missouri State.
Creamer participated in Wyman’s Teen Leadership Program (TLP) from 2009 – 2016. The program boosts teens’ tenacity through a six-year course of leadership experiences and college access and persistence programming, which begins the summer after eighth grade.Wyman coaches help teens identify their values, talents and interests, and explore aligned career paths. Teens participate in college tours, community service and work with coaches to apply for college or other post-secondary options to succeed in their paths after high school.
“Alexis is a great example of what young people accomplish when they are empowered with quality opportunities and support. She reinforces our belief that all youth have the potential to succeed and lead, regardless of life’s circumstances. We need more people like Alexis who are actively reshaping the conversation and changing our region. We congratulate Alexis on her appointment – her leadership will help us continue to ignite change for our region, and our world,” said Claire Wyneken, Wyman President and CEO.
Creamer attributes much of her success to the skills she learned during TLP and the relationships she made while at Wyman. Since graduating from the program, Creamer has joined the Wyman team as a summer program leader and helps guide and mentor other Wyman teens through college persistence, community engagement and leadership programming by promoting positive leadership skills and developing program activities.
“There are many, many factors that hinder the growth of teenagers and it is my passion to change all of that,” said Creamer. “I understand the challenges that many young people face, and the factors that encumber them from fully developing, including generational poverty, lack of role models and a lack of supportive adults. Programs like TLP gave me those things, and are part of the reason that I will become a college graduate.”
During her time in TLP, Alexis identified her passion to create more equitable circumstances for her peers and teens with similar backgrounds. Prior to her appointment, Creamer co-founded an organization called FLY Girls, which helped young girls gain confidence through artistic expression. She continues making an impact by holding workshops on her college campus and surrounding region focused on women’s empowerment.
About America’s Promise Alliance: America’s Promise Alliance leads more than 450 organizations, communities and individuals dedicated to making the promise of America real for every child. As its signature effort, the GradNation campaign mobilizes Americans to increase the on-time high school graduation rate to 90 percent by 2020 and prepare young people for postsecondary enrollment and the 21st century workforce. To learn more, visit AmericasPromise.org.
About Wyman: Wyman has been dedicated to serving youth from disadvantaged circumstances for more than a century. Wyman empowers teens, equips adults and strengthens systems. Wyman’s engaging, empowering and experiential programs and services help teens build skills, develop a sense of self, and connections to their world. As a result, teens achieve educational success, develop healthy behaviors and relationships, and exhibit life and leadership skills. From thousands of teens in St. Louis – to tens of thousands nationally – Wyman programs and services make a difference in the lives of today’s teens and tomorrow’s leaders. To learn more and get involved, visit WymanCenter.org.
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Media Contact:
Sam Nuernberger
Associate Director, Strategic Communication and Stakeholder Engagement
Sam.Nuernberger@WymanCenter.org
636-549-1262