Next Gen Lab: Building Leaders, Strengthening Community
This summer, MCAC's Next Gen Lab became more than an internship or leadership program. It was a space where young leaders learned by doing, tested new ideas, deepened their understanding of community change, and discovered the power of their own voices.
About the Interns
Baridule Adumene
Born and raised in Manchester, NH. She is studying Social Work with a minor in psychology at the University of New Hampshire. Her passion for social work is rooted in her desire to empower others and contribute to positive change within her community. Outside of academics, she enjoys spending time with friends and going to the gym.
Wenchell Jean Claude
Came to the US at age 5, to Manchester, NH where he was raised. He is studying Health Management and Policy major with a minor in Health Analytics and Business Administration at the University of New Hampshire. Outside of academics and my internship, he enjoys going on runs, watching movies, and following football.
Ebuka Stanley
He was raised in Nashua, NH. He is studying Biology at UMass Amherst. Outside of academics. Ebuka describes himself as a pretty curious guy, and likes seeing what's going on and figuring out how to make it a little easier. He is usually thrifting or scrolling Depop trying to offset a clothing addiction that he probably needs to admit that he has.
Bedum Adumene
Born and raised in Manchester, NH. He is sophomore at the University of New Hampshire, studying Marine, Estuarine and Freshwater Biology. He understands that the outcome of your life depends on what resources you have access to, and the opportunities that come your way or don't. He sees how important it is that people get the help they need instead of being pushed aside or forgotten.
Olympia Sanni
Olympia came to the US at age 6 months old. She is a recent graduate of St. John’s University, in Queens, New York City where she studied Biology on the Pre-med track. Her dream for becoming a physician stemmed from wanting to be able to provide the best care for her patients and build a trusted patient-provider connection. Her hobbies include going to the gym, studying, watching movies, shopping, cooking/baking, and spending time with her friends and family.
Ayomide Sanni
Born and raised in Manchester, NH. She is a junior at Umass Lowell studying nursing. She enjoys playing field hockey, running track, baking, cooking, doing nails and sometimes even hair, and going on fun adventures while travelling. In her free time Ayomide loves spending time with family and friends.
Learning Through Action
Designed as a community-centered learning experience, Next Gen Lab invited participants to step into real leadership opportunities while being supported by peers, staff, and community members. Rather than simply observing how organizations operate, youth became active contributors to MCAC's work, helping advance projects, strengthen community connections, and shape solutions alongside those most impacted by the issues facing our communities.
Throughout the summer, participants explored the many dimensions of community leadership and nonprofit work. They gained hands-on experience in:
Advocacy and policy education
Grant research and writing
Fundraising and donor engagement
Coalition building and partnership development
Communications and storytelling
Relational listening
Event planning and execution
Community outreach and engagement
More importantly, they learned that leadership is not about having all the answers. It is about listening deeply, building relationships, working collaboratively, and having the courage to speak up for your community.
For MCAC, the possibilities are equally exciting. Next Gen Lab continues to demonstrate what becomes possible when BIPOC youth are trusted, supported, and resourced to lead. The relationships built this summer, the skills developed, and the leadership cultivated are seeds that will continue to grow throughout our community.
When young people are given opportunities to lead, communities thrive. And this summer, the Next Gen Lab leaders showed us exactly what that can look like.
Help Us Grow the Village
Programs like Next Gen Lab are possible because of a community that believes in investing in young people. Whether you volunteer, partner with MCAC, or make a contribution, you help create spaces where youth can learn, belong, and thrive.
Together, we're growing a village where everyone has something to contribute, everyone belongs, and the next generation is already showing us what's possible
Thank you for growing with us and we welcome you to visit the MCAC Hub!
