Bank of America Announces 2023 Rhode Island Student Leaders

PROVIDENCE, RI– Bank of America today announced four Rhode Island students were selected as Student Leaders® (#BofAStudentLeaders), an eight-week paid summer internship providing students with first-hand experience in serving their communities. As part of the program, the students will develop leadership and practical workforce skills while working with the Boys and Girls Club of Pawtucket, all while earning $17 per hour.

With changing economic environments and a shifting job market, young people need access to workforce experience and career skills-building opportunities. The private sector has a role to play to help better position and support young adults be successful in today’s workforce.

“By providing the pathways and resources for young adults to gain the foundational work skills and leadership experience they need to succeed, we are investing in Rhode Island’s long-term economic growth.” said Kevin Tracy, President, Bank of America Rhode Island. “The teens selected for this paid summer intern program are truly extraordinary, but they may not have had access to opportunities like this until now. The Student Leaders program is just one example of how we connect people to meaningful employment resources that also builds a stronger pipeline of diverse talent for our local workforce.”

The class of 2023 Rhode Island Bank of America Student Leaders are:

· Eli Adams, of Providence, a rising senior at Providence Country Day School. He is a Planned Parenthood Peer Educator and Pride Alliance leader who strives to create a comfortable environment for LGBTQ+ students.

· Angely Ruiz Lebron, of Providence, a graduate of 360 High School and incoming freshman at Roger Williams University. She excels as a Student Ambassador at her school who mentors new students, leads tours, has met with state leaders and plans student activities.

· Leslie Lima, of Pawtucket, a graduate of Blackstone Valley Prep High School and incoming freshman at Brown University. She volunteers at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church Food Pantry and is a member of her school’s Gender Sexuality Alliance, which teaches inclusivity and acceptance.

· Gezibella Soto, of Pawtucket, a rising senior at Blackstone Valley Prep High School. She is active with the DARE Program (Direct Action on Rights and Equality), where she advocated for judicial reform and the creation of rehabilitation centers for youth in low-income communities.

As part of the program, Student Leaders traveled to Washington D.C. last week for a week-long, all expenses paid, national leadership summit focused on the power of cross-sector collaboration and community advocacy. At the first in-person Summit since 2019, Student Leaders from across the nation discussed the importance of civic engagement and met with members of Congress.

Started in 2004, the Student Leaders program recognizes 300 community-focused juniors and seniors from across the U.S. annually. The Rhode Island-based Student Leaders are interning at the Boys and Girls Club of Pawtucket with hands-on experience at Camp Ramsbottom in Rehoboth, Mass and at the main Club in Pawtucket.