Flint Energies Empowers Youth in Seven Rural Counties
September 18, 2025
Flint Energies
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Reynolds ▪ September 18, 2025
Flint Energies Empowers Youth in Seven Rural Counties
Flint Energies is proud to continue “Powering Today, Empowering Tomorrow” through the EMPOWER Youth Leadership Program. Now in its third year, EMPOWER is led by the Cooperative Communications Department and remains one of the first regional programs of its kind in Georgia. Designed for high school juniors and seniors, EMPOWER brings together students from Crawford, Macon, Marion, Peach, Schley, Talbot, and Taylor counties.
“At Flint Energies, we know the future of our communities depends on strong leaders,” said Natalie Bradley, Community Relations Specialist. “By investing in today’s youth, we’re building tomorrow’s civic leaders, business owners, and engaged citizens.”
Throughout eight months of immersive leadership-building experiences, students will participate in team-building activities, learn job readiness and valuable soft skills to be prepared for life after high school. They will learn about their personal skills and talents through the Clifton Strengths Assessment, they will learn about the cooperative business model and entrepreneurship, students will tour downtowns to learn about economic and downtown development, tourism and opportunities for their future, they will go to Georgia’s capitol to watch our state government at work and meet their state representatives, and they will learn interview, professional etiquette and other soft skills to prepare them for life after high school. Flint Energies looks forward to celebrating the growth and accomplishments of these students throughout the school year as they develop into leaders who will shape the future of their communities.
Each participating high school selected a returning EMPOWER mentor to help lead this year’s class, ensuring students receive guidance from peers who have successfully completed the program.
2025 EMPOWER Youth Leadership Class
- Crawford County: Birdie Hodges, Lauren Johnson, Bradley Joyner, Mela Matthews, Stuart Yaughn, and mentor Laura Kate Cody
- Macon County: Jocabed Aguirre, Soloman Eke, Veronica Ford, Shaleya Nelson, Janaia Wallace, and mentor Dolice Choppola
- Marion County: Charlize Delong, Caden Robinson, Kyliah Scales, Josalyn Sizemore, Eva Walton, and mentor Baileigh Barrentine
- Peach County: Khazion Harris, Eli Johnson, Fatima Lopez, Kani Sy, Makayla Williams, and mentor Claire Bizzell
- Schley County: Laney Dew, Payton English, Savannah Grace Ewing, Palmer Hughes, Davis Snipes, and mentor Gracie Arrington
- Talbot County: Maddie Daniel, Sylvetta Hardnett, Landen Kirk, Demarion Snellings, Jay Wilson, and mentor Adrienne Mitchell
- Taylor County: Eliana Brown, Daisy Burgess, Leland Holder, Merrah Richardson, Emmie Shehee, and mentor Alasia Montgomery
About Flint Energies
Flint Energies is a not-for-profit electric cooperative owned by its members in parts of 17 central Georgia counties. Flint employs 223 employees and serves nearly 100,000 electric meters. We are 100% locally controlled and democratically governed by nine Directors elected from among the membership. In 1937, Flint Energies was created to bring people together to meet common needs like reliable electric energy, and our mission remains focused on improving the quality of life in Middle Georgia. Flint Energies is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Follow Flint on X (formerly known as Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.
Contact:
Natalie Bradley, Community Relations Specialist, 478.847.5195, nbradley@flintemc.com
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