From Free Haircuts to Voter Advocacy: How Teen Nico is Empowering all Young People

Gen Z is not defined by our appearances, but rather by our character. We are intelligent, resilient and passionate about spreading love, particularly within the urban youth community. We’ve led the charge to make everyone feel included — but we need older generations standing by us, too.

At my Boys & Girls Club in Jacksonville, Florida, Mrs. Skipper believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. Every young generation needs a Mrs. Skipper to help us become the leaders of tomorrow. Admittedly, I haven’t always seen myself as a leader. But since my freshman year of high school, my Boys & Girls Club gave me chances to step up, and I’ve never looked back.

Not Just a Place for Kids

Growing up, there were times when I didn’t feel like I could be myself, so I began searching for a place where I could. Then one day, a woman visited my school to talk about Boys & Girls Clubs of America. At first, I shrugged it off. I thought the Club was just a childcare program, something that I was definitely too old for. But she pulled me aside, saying she saw potential in me and gave me an application. While I still had doubts, I filled it out anyway.

On my first day, there were only seven students at the Teen Center at Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida, but it already felt like home. The atmosphere was always positive with staff like Mrs. Skipper, Mrs. Nightingale and Mr. Starkes creating a sense of belonging for everyone.

My Club offered many after-school programs, but Keystone Club, gaming and barbering quickly became my favorites.

More than a Haircut: Finding Community at My Club’s Salon

Becoming a barber had been a dream of mine since middle school, so when a professional barber came to our Club to teach us how to cut hair — I was thrilled. I spent the next two years as his apprentice, picking his brain about cutting hair and life lessons in general. Ultimately, he taught me to not shy away from humility or take the journey toward reaching my goals for granted.

I didn’t realize until later how much cutting hair was a much-needed escape for me. After facing a series of challenges, my family was forced to leave our home in Jacksonville, Florida. During my middle school years, we experienced homelessness for about three years. I often felt helpless and overwhelmed caring for my younger siblings and supporting my family emotionally. But as we worked to rebuild our lives, I wanted to be able to contribute financially, too.

Barbering allowed me to take a break from everything happening at home while earning income to help my family regain our stability. What I loved most about cutting hair was having meaningful conversations with those who sat in my chair. Receiving advice from my clients felt like a form of mentorship, while in turn I provided them with a luxury grooming service.

Over time, I grew into a mentor myself, passing along all that I had learned — about life and cutting hair — to others as the teen leader of my Club’s Passport to Manhood program. Held inside the salon, this program provides a safe space for young men to share their experiences, support one another and give back to the community. It was here that I got to pay forward the guidance I received, offering free haircuts to students and encouragement to go after their dreams, too.

A Political Career in the Making

As one of the first seven members of my Club’s Teen Center, I naturally assumed a leadership role. For me, being entrusted with this responsibility at such a young age wasn’t a burden — it was an opportunity that gave me the confidence to believe in the power of my voice.

Leading so many of my Club’s after-school programs helped me realize my potential as a political leader. Throughout high school, my Club enabled me to visit Tallahassee on three separate occasions where I participated in a mentoring program, toured state universities and even spent a week working in the state senate at the Florida State Capitol Building.

During that week, I met elected officials and representatives from Jacksonville, an experience that curbed my shyness and ignited my interest in politics. On my last trip during my senior year, a mentor of mine — City Councilman Kevin Carrico — reconnected me with Senator Aaron Bean, now a U.S. Congressman, who wrote me a personal letter recognizing my work and encouraging my path toward a career in community service.

All these experiences motivated my passion for advocacy, inspiring me to start my own nonprofit, Youth Advocates for Racial Equity, which spreads awareness to young people about the importance of voting.

Welcoming Everyone into the Room

For me, being Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s 2024-25 Southeast Youth of the Year is more than a milestone; it’s a statement to younger kids who resemble me about what’s possible through perseverance. I am proof that someone’s past doesn’t define them, and my passion for speaking and listening to others is rooted in the belief that everyone deserves to be understood.

My generation envisions a world without judgment, where all people can truly be themselves. I believe in creating a more balanced government, one that provides equal access to education and empowerment, particularly for those facing systemic inequities.

I’m now studying political science at Florida State University and am on my way to becoming a motivational speaker and U.S. Congressman.

My mother always told me that I belong in any room — a sentiment echoed by my mentors at my Boys & Girls Club. But I don’t just want to be in the room where change happens; I want to open its doors to everyone. So, don’t be surprised when you recognize my name running for Congress in a few years. Because when that seat becomes available, I’ll be ready to represent my generation in building a world that welcomes us all.

Great Leaders Start Here

Boys & Girls Clubs of America provides caring adult mentors and life-shaping programs to millions of kids and teens each year. In safe, inclusive places, youth build the skills and resilience to thrive in school, the workplace and in life. Join us on our mission of helping all young people reach their full potential: