Brentwood Resident One of Few Chosen for D.C. Internship

Tyler Tate

Tyler Tate, a recent graduate of John Overton High School who lives in Brentwood, was one of five Nashville-area chosen for national recognition.

Tate was chosen as part of the Bank of America’s three-year $40 million commitment to offer youth workforce development opportunities. Called the Student Leaders program, it connects 225 community-minded high school juniors and seniors to employment, service and skills development through a paid eight-week summer internship and participation in a national leadership summit in Washington, D.C. 

In Nashville specifically, the teen employment rate has fallen in recent decades, from more than 50 percent in past decades to just over 25 percent in 2015. Through the Student Leaders program, Bank of America works to bridge this gap by providing youth with an experience that equips them with skills for long-term career success.

“Early employment is a critical step on the pathway to financial security, yet young people face a number of challenges in finding job opportunities,” said Tyson Moore, Nashville market president, Bank of America. “The internships accessed through the Student Leaders program will help empower our teens with opportunities to cultivate essential workforce skills — while earning what, for many, will be their first paycheck.”

Over the course of the program, students develop skills around advancing diversity and inclusion, developing a greater understanding of the value of cross-sector partnerships, and establishing a professional network. This year’s Student Leaders are interning with Nashville-based Oasis Center, an organization dedicated to helping at-risk youth navigate the obstacles of teenage years while supporting a healthy transition to adulthood.

The 2017 Nashville area Student Leaders are:                          

Nasteho Abdi-Dahir, an Antioch resident, and a recent Glencliff High School graduate

Kevin Botros, an Antioch resident, and a recent McGavock High School graduate

Marisa Phelps, a Cross Plains resident, a recent East Robertson High School graduate

Tyler Tate, a Brentwood resident, and a recent John Overton High School graduate

Jessica Velasco, a Goodlettsville resident, and a recent Hume-Fogg High School graduate

In addition to the internship, these five students are joining 220 other Student Leaders from around the country in Washington D.C. from July 9-14 for Bank of America’s Student Leadership Summit. During this week-long session, students build advocacy and inclusive leadership skills, meet with Members of Congress and participate in a service learning project, becoming part of a network of community leaders that will support their ongoing citizenship and engagement.