A native of Montgomery, Alabama, Kenyada Posey is a government relations professional with a passion for foreign affairs and international policy, and one of our nominees for FunTimes Magazine “Minds on Fire: 2021 People To Watch Under 30”. 

Posey, armed with public policy and advocacy experience, became a community advocate for the disenfranchised and racial disparities within the communities of Philadelphia after the tragic loss of her family members. Posey states: 

“I started community advocate work my senior year in college after three of my younger cousins were killed by gun violence in Montgomery, Alabama. I knew that I had an opportunity to make the lives of people like me better,” said Posey. “I moved to Philly three years ago as a campaign organizer for Governor Tom Wolf’s campaign. Walking the streets and talking to voters allowed for the chance to see the disparities in Philly.”

Posey has previous experience working with several members of Congress as well as in the non-profit sector. During her time working with Montgomery City Council, she helped plan and organize the Montgomery City Summer Youth Job Program, a program that gives the youth in Montgomery the opportunity to develop hard skills for the future such as resume building, interviewing skills, and job etiquette. Her passion lies in the future of youth adults in America and around the world. 

Posey graduated from Troy University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and went on to achieve a Master of Arts in International Relations with a Global Studies concentration. When Governor Wolf’s campaign ended in 2018, she began working at Youthbuild Charter school as an Americorps Community project coordinator. 

“There, I was exposed to the importance of grants for nonprofits and community development. It dawned on me that larger organizations don't have the same struggles as smaller more community-based organizations, so I decided to use my Americorps Education Award (that's given after you served a year) to get a certification in grant writing,” explained Posey. “I realized the smaller, more community-based organizations will need help with implementing the funds so I also got a certification in nonprofit management. Both certifications were received last year during the earlier moments of the COVID-19 pandemic. I'm thankful I persevered.”

Last year on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Posey went back inside her old school, Chisholm Elementary, to beautify the halls for its current students. With the support and assistance of volunteers from the YMCA and Maxwell Air Force Base, Posey implemented 15 murals throughout the school. She hopes to make the mural painting an annual tradition for other schools around the city.

Posey said she is continuously inspired by the late five-term Montgomery city councilman and Army veteran, Tracy Larkin. “He recently passed away but left a major impact on my heart. He inspired me to always display Black excellence and put service over self."

 Boitumelo Masihleho is a South African digital content creator. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Rhodes University in Journalism and Media Studies and Politics and International Studies.  

She's an experienced multimedia journalist who is committed to writing balanced, informative and interesting stories on a number of topics. Boitumelo has her own YouTube channel where she shares her love for affordable beauty and lifestyle content.