I came from a very diverse ethnic background – born and raised in E. Africa, acquired college degree in India, got involved in business and the community in India and Kenya, then made Tallahassee my home for the last 26 years as owner of Express Printing.
While I have been a leader in the Indian community, involved with Kiwanis Club, and in Business Networking International in Tallahassee, there was always a desire to do better. I was fortunate to be selected for LT Class 30 where I got a lot of exposure to how to do better in leadership roles within my company and local community as a whole, in thinking outside the box by expanding my horizons, and in being more effective.
I really valued getting to know my LT classmates during all the program days during the year, and moreover on a one-to-one basis at our social gatherings. The bonding that has been created with my classmates is very unique and helped me to come out of my shell in sharing ideas and thoughts among my classmates. We regularly meet every month socially and I also had opportunity to host one event at my house.
Our class is especially proud of the hard work we did to raise funds for our class project, the LT 30 Youth Leadership Award. LT Class 30 is looking forward to honoring a leader from Youth Leadership Tallahassee who demonstrates leadership potential, or has demonstrated leadership, in improving lives and the community in and around Tallahassee. Graduates of YLT Class 10 will be the first class eligible for the award. The annual award of $2,000 will be publicly announced and presented at the Leadership Tallahassee Annual Meeting and Graduation May 7, 2015.
I have learned so much through my association with my LT 30 Classmates and their leadership roles in the community, and have developed an awareness of many important issues which face and impact our local community. I urge everyone to get involved and better understand the circumstances beyond your own community and how to be a better leader. -Tony Shah (LT 30)
Youth Leadership Tallahassee Class 12 Selection
We are recruiting students to apply for the next class of YLT – to be held during the 2015-16 school year. Students apply as Sophomores, and if selected, participate in their Junior year. Applications have been delivered to the 12 participating high schools and are due to the School Contact on or before Friday, February 13, 2015. Check out the application video here.
The participating schools are:
Chiles High School (School Contact: Sherri Winsett)
Community Christian School (School Contact: Jeanine Post)
Florida A&M University DRS (School Contact: Kay Wallace)
Florida State University School (School Contact: Jennifer Kinney)
Godby High School (School Contact: Sabrina Tyson)
John Paul II Catholic High School (School Contact: Beverley Remland)
Leon High School (School Contact: Athena Gill)
Lincoln High School (School Contact: Danielle Jones)
Maclay School (School Contact: Heather Bas)
North FL Christian (School Contact: Jim Lieser)
Rickards High School (School Contact: Terraca Jones)
S.A.I.L. (School Contact: Marlow Matherne)
Leon County Virtual School (School Contact: Teri Gimbel)
For more information please go to: www.YouthLeadershipTallahassee.com or contact Julie Lovelace, Program Director at jlovelace@talchamber.com or (850) 521-3115.