Stefanie Brown

Stefanie Brown formed a special bond with the NAACP 10 years ago. At age 15, the Bedford Heights, Ohio, native excelled quickly as a member of a youth council chapter in Cleveland. (She was elected president, too.) In between studies in business management at Howard University, she was active in the college chapter. Two years ago, she was developing youth programs as the National Youth Council coordinator. So it's no surprise that in her newest position as National Director of the NAACP Youth and College Division, Brown feels right at home.

"I grew up in the association. I was introduced to it through church," says Brown, 25, who took the reins as director in March. "God put it in my heart to work for the betterment of Black people. It's been a never-ending passion."

Fueling her passion today is the desire to see more young people like herself in the trenches, advocating for the issues that hit African Americans the hardest, including a poor educational system, continuing housing discrimination and health disparities. She also hopes to help change the negative perception America has of young Blacks.