In this episode of the Square Pizza Podcast, Greg sits down with Aaron Randolph, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Carolina Youth Coalition (CYC)—an organization supporting over 500 high-achieving, under-resourced students across Charlotte. With warmth and wisdom, Aaron shares how his upbringing in a small Florida town, passion for football, and early exposure to AmeriCorps shaped his path into educational equity.
Key Highlights:
- From Lake City to Leadership: How growing up in rural Florida and attending Cornell shaped Aaron’s core values and his community-first approach to leadership.
- The Power of Athletics: Lessons from the football field that translate into resilience, teamwork, and accountability—essential for building thriving organizations.
- Carolina Youth Coalition’s High-Touch Model: A deep dive into CYC’s mission, growth, and what sets it apart in the college access space—including mentorship, career readiness, and a second campus powered by CPI Security.
- Juggling (Literally & Figuratively): Why Aaron became a “master juggler” in third grade and what the skill teaches him about focus, presence, and leadership.
- AI & The Future of Work: Aaron’s insights on how artificial intelligence is reshaping workforce development—and what that means for the students and families CYC serves.
- Academic Cool Factor: How CYC intentionally makes college and academic success aspirational, especially for first-gen students.
Whether you're a leader, educator, or just curious about what it takes to build pathways for student success in the 21st century, this episode offers fresh perspective, honest storytelling, and practical leadership takeaways.
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