Feature: A New League for Him: Quincy Sowell and the Columbus Urban League

Quincy Sowell became a member of the Columbus Urban League’s APLAT (African American Peer Leadership Alliance Against Tobacco) youth group when he was an 8^th grader at Champion Middle School. Due to his poor grades and behavior, he was referred to the program by his teacher, who felt that Quincy would eventually drop out of school or end up in jail if he didn’t make a change in his life. Quincy was described as immature for his age, and his mother agreed that he could benefit immensely from the activities and services provided by this program.

 When he first started attending APLAT, Quincy had some difficulty adjusting to the expectations of being a member and was asked to leave the group on several occasions. But once Quincy made up his mind to stick it out, he positioned himself in a leadership role and became a star participant in the program. Quincy’s grades improved, his behavior changed and he started to think more about how his actions have an impact on his life and on those around him. Quincy went on to become an honor student in high school and is currently a proud senior at Wright State University, with a major in organizational leadership.

 The Columbus Urban League’s APLAT program is an after-school leadership development/prevention program for youth ages 11-18 that addresses the growing crisis of tobacco usage among youth. APLAT is a youth activist group meant to raise awareness, provide education and prompt social change related to youth tobacco use. Youth in the program are trained as peer leaders who are then tasked to develop awareness and education projects while working with other young people in their respective communities. Program components include team building, public speaking, fundraising, letter-writing campaigns, outreach and public awareness, and meeting conducting.  APLAT also works with participants in the areas of goal setting, team building, leadership, ATOD prevention, college and career aspirations, and community service.

 Quincy has worked with the Columbus Urban League’s Summer Camp for the past three years, and he has even worked in close collaboration with the teacher who once feared for his future.  Quincy has traveled a long way, and he believes that if he had not been a part of the Columbus Urban League’s youth development programs, he would not have experienced the educational and personal success that he currently enjoys.