‘I’m just excited to see what she does’

When Jayohna Sims, a high school senior, entered the Charles Schwab tower in Omaha, she was a bit timid. It’s unlike her, she’s usually a confident person. In fact it’s one of the traits that made her the ideal candidate to be the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands Youth of the Year nominee, a leadership development program where representatives from different Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) compete in local, state, and then regional events to become a spokesperson for the BGCA and for the nation’s young people. 

But as she toured the campus, Jayohna warmed up. She had an opportunity to show off her forehand at the breakroom ping pong table (a skill she picked up at the Club), and she was able to sit with a Schwab representative and ask questions, like “When is the best time to start investing?”  

So when it was time for her to stand behind a conference room podium to practice her speech in front a group of Schwab employees, she was in her comfort zone. Plus, there was a friendly face in the audience—her mentor, Shinnice Preston.

Shinnice is a Schwab employee and she’s helping Jayohna reach her goal of becoming Youth of the Year. She brought her to Schwab because she wanted her to see the types of opportunities that lay ahead of her, and she wanted her to practice her competition speech and get input from other employees on how to improve it. 

Shinnice was introduced to Jayohna last year by a colleague who had a feeling they would click. Growing up, Shinnice also spent time at the BGCA. It was a safe place her mom could take her after school, to get help with homework, build friendships, and connect with mentors. She remembers how, on one field trip, a group of girls coaxed her into the roller-skating rink when she was scared, and gave her the confidence to give it a try. The BGCA is great for character-building moments like that.  

Now, working with Jayohna, Shinnice sees so much potential. She’s dealing with the death of her mother from breast cancer, and using that grief to catapult her to her dreams of working with children, just like her mom. 

“Jayohna has taught me so much about perseverance,” says Shinnice. “I’ve had rough weeks, but they can’t compare to some of the things she’s experienced.” 

And while Shinnice admires Jayohna’s courage, Jayohna has benefitted from Shinnice’s experience. Jayohna is thankful for her guidance as she works her way toward her goal of becoming Youth of the Year, which she wants to win for her mom.

On the night of the awards ceremony, Jayohna was prepared, and Shinnice was by her side. In her speech, Jayohna shared how being at the Club helped her regain her purpose and release her emotions in a healthy way after her mother’s death. 

Other Schwab employees were rooting Jayohna on too, including Chris Enzolera, who also serves as a Board Member for the BGCA of the Midlands, and who is the person responsible for initially connecting Shinnice and Jayohna. At the event, Chris accepted the Corporate Volunteer Organization of the Year award on behalf of Schwab.

“Schwab is showing up in the community in meaningful ways. That’s what it’s about,” says Chris of the award, and of Shinnice’s work as a mentor.

Schwab has been closely connected with the BGCA of the Midlands, mostly through the Money Matters program, which is designed to increase the financial literacy of BGCA teens by helping them envision their life after high school, by teaching them critical money management skills. 

At the end of the evening, Jayohna didn’t come away with the Youth of the Year title, but the night wasn’t only about winning awards. It was about taking on new challenges and showing up as your best self. And Jayohna certainly shined. 

“It’s so much more than giving back,” says Shinnice of her relationship with Jayohna. “I’m so privileged to play such a very small role in her life. She has such a big impact on everyone she meets. And I’m just excited to see what she does and how she takes off.”