I feel like I start every feature in the same super excited omg you have to meet this person tone, but it’s because I am truly honored to have such illustrious people to present to you on a regular basis.
For this month’s Wkender feature we have Mr. Kyle Anthony Walcott. A man of many names and talent but one of the most important is giver!
Kyle was an active student leader at Georgia State University, which sparked his professional journey into the educational nonprofit industry. While in school, he interned with two education-focused nonprofits: Boys & Girls Clubs of America National Headquarters and Communities In Schools of Georgia. Post-graduation, he followed his desire to serve minority youth as an meriCorps member with City Year Washington, D.C. During his service
year, he provided additional instruction and after-school services to middle school students while supporting two teachers in the subjects of algebra and history. Kyle moved on to serve as scholar relations coordinator with the Gates Millennium Scholars Program, which allowed him to implement leadership development programs to underrepresented college students.
Since then, Kyle has transitioned into the field of development and fundraising after gaining valuable skills at United Way of Greater Atlanta and Georgia State University. For the past 3 years, he has served as development officer at the highly-recognized Ron Clark Academy, where he serves in a variety of capacities which include: grant writing, donor engagement and cultivation, event management, and social media marketing.
If you’re at all unfamiliar with the school check out this short video by clicking the IG icon below and you will be amazed!
I’ve had the pleasure of engaging with RCA students on multiple occasions and every time I’m in awe of how astute, intelligent, articulate, and prepared they are for any and every possibility. (If they aren’t prepared they manage change and ambiguity exceptionally well!)
Kyle has been directly responsible for securing approximately $7 million dollars in grant funding from foundations, corporations, and individuals as well as leading logistics for RCA’s large-scale annual events including its first day of school celebration, 8th grade graduation ceremony, Amazing Shake Competition, and National Amazing Shake Competition,. Furthermore, he advises the student yearbook club at RCA and is actively involved in mentoring efforts at the school as he frequently travels with students on field trips, engages with them in the classroom, and shares tips around writing and public speaking with them in order to improve their business acumen.
I mentioned in the beginning that Kyle is a man of many talents. In conjunction with a demanding work life, Kyle also finds time to pursue his journalistic passions as a staff writer for millennial multimedia company, Blavity. (Latest Article) To date, he has published a total of 27 articles covering entertainment, culture, and news. He’s excited to continue furthering his passion for writing by serving as a journalist who showcases Atlanta culture highlighting creatives, artists, activists, and organizations moving the needle for the culture in the “Dirty South.”
If that weren’t astonishing enough, Kyle serves as the new vice president-elect for the Emerging 100 of Atlanta (Congratulations Brother!), the young professional auxiliary to the 100 Black Men of Atlanta. In this role, he oversees the overall operations of the organization by ensuring that the group’s commitments to exhibiting stellar programming, performing notable community service, and providing high-quality mentoring to its mentees at B.E.S.T Academy are fulfilled. Prior to his election to the executive board, he served as the communications chair where he led the organization’s efforts in media, communication, and outreach.
When asked what fashion means to him, this was his response “I equate fashion to spirit. My fashion sense is indicative of my spirited personality and my desire to express myself through clothing and visual representation. I enjoy being able to show different sides of myself whether it be in athletic wear, business professional or GQ casual. When I’m impeccably dressed, I emanate confidence and I think that seeing this, especially coming from a black man, is positive for my peers and younger generations.
I Furthermore, I believe the key to really delivering the aspect of being impeccably dressed is being true to one’s self and genuinely believing in yourself personally, professionally, and aesthetically so that others easily see you for you who are, not who you clothe yourself to be.”
All I can say is wise words from a great Man! Thank you for allowing us to feature you Brother!
To A Life Worth Living,
The Wkender