Civic Spring Fellows Announced for Summer 2024

The Institute for Citizens & Scholars has named 11 Civic Spring Fellows in the summer 2024 cohort. The Fellows are from two project teams in New Jersey tackling issues related to youth empowerment, career education, school board elections, and voter education.

Civic Spring Fellows receive critical support through unique experience-based learning and interactions with an intergenerational team of coaches and civic leaders. With these supports, Fellows will develop a greater sense of efficacy, strengthen their abilities to affect positive change, practice collaborative problem-solving, and share their knowledge and skills with their peers and communities.

Throughout the summer of 2024, the Civic Spring Fellow teams will participate in a set of key learning experiences, engage in Community of Practice meetings, and receive support from a dedicated Civic Spring Peer Coach. The Civic Spring Fellowship is generously sponsored by the Maher Charitable Foundation.

Meet the Fellows

Youth Empowerment and Career Education Project

The Youth Empowerment and Career Advancement Project (YECAP) works to address the critical issue of youth unemployment and the lack of career readiness while creating pathways to stable careers beyond the minimum wage. The team will supply 25 youth participants with a set of tools and resources to learn about career readiness, as well as five mentors to provide coaching and skills training workshops on goal-setting, interviewing, resume preparation, engaging successfully in corporate spaces, etc.  Ultimately, this project aims to boost participants’ personal and professional confidence and prepare them for exposure to different career paths through mentorship and workforce partnerships.  The team intends to expand the program’s reach by demonstrating measurable outcomes of employability and positioning this project as a replicable model for other communities.

Christian Beverett | Mount Laurel, NJ | 19 | Team Lead
Christian Beverett is the team lead of the Youth Empowerment and Career Advancement Project and is from Mount Laurel, NJ. He is an incoming junior at Rutgers University-Newark pursuing a degree in Supply Chain Management. Christian is passionate about helping others and finding ways to improve people’s lives. In his free time, he can be found in the gym, watching sports, and having a good time with friends. This summer Christian is excited about learning the importance of creating an idea to better the community.

Victoria Beverett | Mount Laurel, NJ | 18
Victoria Beverett is from Mount Laurel, NJ, and incoming sophomore at Rutgers University. She is an intern with the Camden County Work Development Board through the Social Responsibility Through Me organization. Victoria is majoring in Leadership & Management at the Rutgers Business School and is a part of the Women in Business Club.  In her free time, she stays active by lifting at the gym, taking dance classes, or going on walks. This summer, Victoria is excited to engage with her team to help do better for the community.

Miriam Shoman | Short Hills, NJ | 19
Miriam Shoman is from Short Hills, NJ. She is a freshman at NYU at the Stern School of Business majoring in Leadership and Management. Miriam is passionate about investment banking as well as fencing. In her free time, you will find her spending time with friends. This summer, Miriam is excited to collaborate with her team and engage with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds to learn about their experiences.

Altorice Frazier | Newark, NJ | 15
Altorice Frazier is from Newark, NJ. He is a junior at Pen Argyl School District. In his free time, he can be found playing football. This summer, Altorice is excited to gain knowledge and skills that he can use for the rest of his life as he progresses further into the world.

Jacob Smith | Lumberton, NJ | 20 
Jacob Smith is from Lumberton, NJ. He is a junior at Michigan State University. Jacob is passionate about making a difference in the community while building lifelong relationships and learning experiences along the way. In his free time, he can be found hitting the links on the golf course, playing basketball, or spending time with his friends. This summer, Jacob is excited to learn something new with his peers and contribute in every way he can to the Civic Spring Fellowship.

Deshawn Frazier | Newark, NJ | 15
Deshawn Frazier is a fifteen-year-old student from Newark, NJ. He is a junior at Kipp and enjoys learning about the community in school. This summer, Deshawn is excited to engage in this program.

School Board Election Education Project

The School Board Election Education Project seeks to increase knowledge of the importance of school board elections to increase voter participation among young people.  Team members will research laws being considered that will allow teenagers to vote in school board elections, host a weekly podcast to learn from local school board members, elected officials, and school leaders and create a series of public service announcements, which will be promoted on various social media sites with a goal of yielding at least 1,000 views or public comments.  External supporters and partners include the Greater Essex Community Uplift Foundation, Orange Board of Education, City of Orange Office of Mayor and City Council, The East Orange Family Success Center and the Eta Pi Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Matt Stevens | East Orange, NJ | 56 | Team Lead
Matt Stevens is the School Board Election Education Project Team Lead and is from East Orange, NJ. He is the Program Director of Youth Mentoring for the Greater Essex Community Uplift Foundation. Matt is a passionate advocate for uplifting youth voices and loves any opportunity to engage young people in thought partnership and decision-making efforts. He is the author of two recent books focused on Social Emotional Learning:

• Make A Decision: Social Emotional Learning For Today’s Youth (Stevens, 2023)
• Soft Skills Matter: Helping Teenagers Get and Keep A Job (Stevens, 2024)

Mu’ath Savory | East Orange, NJ | 15
Mu’ath Savory is a member of the Eta Pi mentoring program and is from East Orange, NJ. He is a sophomore at Marion P. Thomas Charter High School. Mu’ath’s hobbies include football, watching sports, playing video games, hiking, biking, and playing with his black and white tuxedo cat, Kobe. This summer, Mu’ath is excited to learn more about youth leadership, civic responsibilities, and collaborating with others.

Shamar Harrison | East Orange, NJ | 18
Shamar Harrison is from East Orange, NJ.  He graduated from East Orange Campus High School and will continue his education at Bloomfield College. He participates in the NAACP ACT-SO Achievement Program and the Dr. Ernest Everett Just Mentoring Program.

Khayri C. Edwards | East Orange, NJ | 18
Khayri C. Edwards is from East Orange, New Jersey. He recently graduated from East Orange S.T.E.M Academy where he was involved in the Model UN and the photography club. Khayri is passionate about environmental conservation and enjoys working with his hands, whether it’s fixing cars, gardening, or helping out family and neighbors with home improvements. Khayri dedicates his time as a mentee in the Eta Pi Chapter Ernest Everett Just Mentoring Program. He is excited to use his voice for change and is looking forward to cultivating and developing skills that he can utilize.

Jamaal Smith | East Orange, NJ | 17
Jamaal Smith is from East Orange, NJ, and a junior at the Immaculate Conception High School in Montclair, NJ. He is a member of the NAACP ACT-SO Achievement Program and participates in the Dr. Ernest Everett Just Mentoring Program. Jamaal is passionate about coding and understanding technology, particularly Al. In his free time, you will find him building apps, and engaging in community service to help people struggling with food insecurity. This summer, Jamaal is excited to obtain work experience, meet new people and assist more in the community.