Leadership, philanthropy, and community impact took center stage as the YMCA of Metro Atlanta hosted its annual Leadership and Legacy event, where the organization introduced a new scholarship and its first three recipients. The new scholarship honors students who have gone above and beyond in their local YMCAs, showing leadership, service, and a passion for community. These awards celebrate the next generation of changemakers and underscore the YMCA’s mission to inspire learning, growth, and belonging for all. The $14,000 in scholarships is supported by the Schoen Foundation Scholarship Endowment, which, in addition to its significant annual support, invested $1M to launch the scholarship endowment with the YMCA of Metro Atlanta. Additional contributions to the scholarship fund were generously made by The Chick-fil-A Foundation and The Robert F. Wharton Endowed Scholarship Fund. 

The 2025 Teen Legacy Scholar, Joi Ector of Decatur, was honored for her work at the East Lake Family YMCA. Known among peers as the “Y Legend,” Ector creates programs that help children and families thrive and mentors youth across the community. She also advocates foreducation equity and food security through the Children’s Defense Fund. Ector graduated from Southwest DeKalb High School and now attends Southern University and A&M College. 

Melanie Harper and Enesii Mwanjabala were also awarded scholarships. Harper, who graduated from Marist School and currently attends the University of Georgia, has volunteered and worked with the Cowart Family Y and Camp High Harbour for more than six years as a counselor, lifeguard, and mentor. Mwanjabala, Georgia’s state representative for the YMCA Youth Advocate Program, leads conversations with members of Congress on youth development and health equity. Mwanjabala graduated from Georgia Connections Academy and now attends Georgia Gwinnett College.