Bank of America recently honored a Buncombe County Schools student as a Student Leader for 2024. This esteemed program offered Sophia Banks from Martin L. Nesbitt, Jr. Discovery Academy an eight week paid summer internship designed to enhance work skills, leadership abilities, and community service.
Student Leaders gain practical work experience and financial education through Bank of America’s Better Money Habits curriculum while partnering with local nonprofits, including LEAF Community Arts and the Asheville-Buncombe Community Land Trust.
Since its inception in 2004, the Student Leaders program has recognized 300 students annually across the United States, bringing the total to over 4,500 students. The program invested $42 million in more than 500 local nonprofits, underscoring Bank of America’s commitment to fostering economic mobility and community development.
“Bank of America is dedicated to preparing the next generation of Western North Carolina leaders,” said April Brown, Market Executive for Asheville. “These exceptional Student Leaders gained invaluable experience and made significant contributions to our community through their work with local nonprofits.”
Banks demonstrated leadership through her roles in student council, participation in track and field, and community service. She also hosted social gatherings for elderly neighbors and volunteered in various capacities.
As part of the program, Banks had the opportunity to attend a week-long, all-expenses-paid national leadership summit in Washington, D.C. There, she learned about the collaboration between nonprofits, governments, and businesses to address community needs.
In addition to the Student Leaders program, Bank of America supported other local youth employment initiatives through partnerships with organizations such as the Buncombe County Schools Foundation, Manna Food Bank, Serve to LEAD, Umoja Health & Wellness Justice Collective, and HIGHTS (Helping Inspire Gifts of Hope, Trust, and Service). The bank invested $65,000 in these organizations to create meaningful job opportunities for young people, benefiting the community at large.
For more information on the Student Leaders program, visit the Bank of America website.