Student activist learns and leads by example
Jonathan Neal’s activism as a high school student in Louisville, Kentucky, drew the interest of church and community leaders, television stations, local and national award givers and even a campaign manager who encouraged him to consider a possible run for mayor. Neal had developed a reputation for speaking truth to power and for advocating on behalf of the vulnerable. He remembers being frustrated by politicians who kept prioritizing recycling over neighborhood violence and prison reform. Drawing inspiration from the leadership and service of his parents and pastor, he got involved. He found himself thinking, “If you’re not effectively making purposeful change in your city, someone has to step up and do it.” But before pursuing a career in politics and government service, Neal knew he first needed more education and experience. Drawn to Transylvania’s long history of producing political leaders, he wanted the same “elite education,” he says, that had prepared so many others before him. As president of Transy’s Black Student Alliance, Neal’s goal is to create a lasting impact. “I’m trying to make BSA and my legacy at Transy about leaving this a better place for future African-American students to come,” he says. It’s a concept he’s embraced from his leadership training at Transy, focusing not on short-term gains, but on “leading to leave a better place.” A sophomore, Neal says he wants to motivate his generation to advocate not just through social media, but in person
