Y Achievers Summit

TODAY'S ACHIEVERS ARE
TOMORROW'S LEADERS

The YMCA Achievers is a college readiness and career exploration program which provides teens with the essential tools to pursue higher education and to identify different career opportunities.

Achievers helps teens improve academic performance, develop a positive sense of self, build character, explore diverse college and career options plus interact with professionals who serve as role models. The YMCA Achievers Summit brings teens from across the nation together for personal growth and exploration.

Join us in July 2026 for the YMCA Achievers Summit – a national gathering for both Achievers teens and staff.

Taking place at the scenic YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly in the mountains of Western North Carolina, the Summit will provide valuable leadership development, life enhancing skills and group interaction in a fun and exciting week. The adults will receive valuable program and personal development while also having opportunities to support and serve the teens. For questions about the Achievers Summit, email [email protected].

What should teens expect at the Achievers Summit?

Teens will be placed in small groups made up of Achievers from across the nation to learn from and challenge each other while also experiencing activities throughout the YMCA Blue Ridge campus!

Teens will participate in four program group rotation periods on Tuesday and Wednesday –

Teambuilding/Problem Solving
Mentor Group Discussions
Life Skills Workshops
Odyssey Course

Registration for the 2026 Achievers Summit is NOW OPEN!

Each YMCA will register their Club to confirm their delegation, contact information, and Advisor content.
Once confirmed each teen must register to ensure we properly prepare for their arrival.
Summit Fee – $350/person
- Fee includes rooming, meals and activities through the Summit.
Registration deadline – June 26, 2026

We cannot wait to bring this amazing group of teens together to learn and grow!

Achievers Summit is thrilled to announce Featured Keynoe Speaker: Dr. Kenston J. Griffin

Join us in 2026 - Monday, July 27 - Thursday, July 30

MEET THE ACHIEVERS SUMMIT COMMITTEE

Tavarshia Batts

YMCA of Greater Boston

Hailing from NC but now supporting teens in Greater Boston, Ta serves as the Executive Director of Teen Development. She has been a champion for youth for over 15 years and brings extensive experience in education and youth development. Founding her own mentoring program called Passion & Purpose, she has remained committed to being a servant leader who collaborates with youth and their communities to empower them to enhance the resources they already possess, while supporting them in obtaining the resources they are seeking. She is excited to continue her journey on the Achievers Steering Committee and bringing teens across the country together for a “Homecoming” experience.

Freddie Brown

YMCA of Greater Louisville

Freddie L. Brown, Jr. is a Group Vice President with the YMCA of Greater Louisville. In this role, Brown oversees the Chestnut Street, Northeast, Republic Bank Foundation and Southeast YMCAs. He also leads association efforts on aquatics, teens and global, diversity, equity and inclusion work. Brown is a passionate and visionary leader determined to work with community leaders to advance equity and promote social justice. He is also an active member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Prior to his placement with the YMCA of Greater Louisville, Freddie Brown served as Project Manager, Healthier Communities Initiative, with YMCA of the USA, which is one of the Y’s signature initiatives focusing on combating obesity and reducing chronic disease rates. He began his 27 year YMCA career at the YMCA of Central Kentucky, where he served as Black Achievers Director and Executive Director of the Center for Achievement.

Committed to being part of the solution, Freddie Brown has served on local, state and national boards, committees and task forces. He earned a Masters in Organizational Leadership from Springfield College and a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from Berea College. He also earned a DEI Certification from Cornell University. Brown was awarded the 2023 Louisville Icon by 100 Black Men as well as the Luminary Award at the 2022 Tri-State Regional Emerging Multicultural Leadership Experience. Brown was a 2021 Bingham Fellow with Leadership Louisville. His group created the 3003 Project Inc. to promote social justice and increase the political power of Black citizens of Louisville, KY.

Freddie Brown is married to Dachera Brown and they are the proud parents to 3 children: Freddie , Franklin and Felicia.

Greg Hall

YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly

Greg Hall has served teens for his entire career. Starting his career in Kentucky, Greg has been a part of the Atlanta, Charlotte, Winston Salem, and Cincinnati YMCA’s. He also served the Y movement as a senior consultant for the Redwoods Group before assuming his current role as Vice President of Mission Impact at the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly.

Jazmyn Hudson

YMCA of Greater Brandywine

Jazmyn serves as the Senior Association Director of Teen Development at the YMCA of Greater Brandywine. With over 13 years of experience at the Y, she has made meaningful contributions across various areas, including human resources, youth development, and operational leadership. Her impact extends beyond her local Y, as she is actively involved in national initiatives centered on diversity, equity, inclusion, and global engagement. A Pennsylvania native, Jazmyn’s journey with the Y began as a teenager, igniting a lifelong passion for empowering young people. Dedicated to helping youth discover their potential, she works to create spaces where every young person feels heard, valued, and empowered, while remaining committed to championing their voices and advocating for their needs. Outside of the Y, Jazmyn enjoys quality time with her family, relaxing by the waves at the beach, and enjoying pizza whenever she can!

Eboné Mitchell

Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA

Eboné Mitchell was introduced to the YMCA as a college student at NC State University, working with over 100 middle school teens every day. After graduating college, she then moved to Richmond, VA where she had opportunities to grow as a Y professional in a variety of different capacities. She currently resides in Tampa, FL, where she serves as an Associate Executive Director. When not spending time at the Y, you can find her at brunch, the gym or cleaning her sneakers.

Kashala T. Pope

YMCA of Greater Houston

Kashala has been with the YMCA of Greater Houston for 18 years all in different aspects of Youth Development. In Kashala’s current role she supports a team of dedicated Youth workers in delivering a variety of youth centered high quality teen leadership opportunities and experiences. Kashala remains committed to using her energy and influence to ensure that young people have equitable access to opportunities that help them to learn, thrive and become active agents of change in their communities.

Abigail A. Gomes

Capital District YMCA

Abigail A. Gomes is a nonprofit leader and community strategist committed to advancing equity, leadership, and opportunity for young people and families. She currently serves as the Association Director of Youth Development for the Capital District YMCA, where she leads the nationally recognized Black and Latino Achievers program and Youth & Government programs. In this role, Abigail leads multi-site operations, manages cross-sector partnerships, and drives outcomes that prepare the next generation of leaders for college, careers, and civic life.

With over a decade of progressive leadership in youth development and program innovation, Abigail has designed and scaled initiatives that have directly impacted thousands of students and their families. She spearheaded the creation of the Dreams Scholarship Fund, launched a sustainability and succession planning model through the BYMOC strategy toolkit, and cultivated corporate and community partnerships that have generated hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships, program funding, and in-kind support. Her work has been recognized for building a “culture of health, belonging, and service” that strengthens both individual achievement and community resilience.

Abigail’s expertise spans strategic planning, fundraising, equity-centered leadership, and program design rooted in the Positive Youth Development (PYD) framework. She is passionate about building pipelines for youth in historically ignored groups, empowering parents and mentors as partners, and ensuring long-term sustainability through innovative operating systems and advisory boards.

Beyond her role at the YMCA, Abigail is deeply engaged in community building, serving on boards and advisory committees, and partnering with schools and businesses to create holistic development opportunities. When she is not wearing her superwoman cape, you can find her in her Zen spot, the garden, or spending time with her husband and their four beautiful children. She continues to position herself as a transformative voice in youth strategy and equity advancement.

Eric Graves

YMCA of Greensboro

Eric Graves is a youth development leader with over 16 years of experience advancing equity-driven programs that expand leadership, access, and mental health supports for teens. As the Association Teen Director at the YMCA of Greensboro, he oversees seven teen programs across Guilford and Rockingham Counties and has led a 600% increase in teen participation through inclusive outreach and strong community partnerships, while managing over $200,000 in grant funding in 2025. A member of the YMCA of Greensboro Leadership Team, Eric also contributes to youth advocacy statewide through NC Youth & Government, the YMCA Achievers National Summit Committee, and the NC Child Advocacy Network, and remains committed to creating spaces where young people can thrive, lead, and be heard.