Meet Aniyah

Aniyah Bailey, a high school freshman, is a member of Servant Leaders Institute's inaugural youth cohort and mentorship initiative. Take a moment to learn more about Aniyah as a person and her experience in the cohort.

"I enjoy being around family and friends because, I feel it’s very important to spend time with the people you love the most. When I am not with my family, I enjoy doing hair because it allows me to express my creativity, especially when I am allowed to freestyle.

I participate in track and cheer and take pride in doing well in both.

The cohort was an amazing learning experience. We called attention to and examined topics and issues that impact our peers and our community.

The first topic that I feel is important is examining school policies of our choice that maybe need a change or that just don’t make sense. This topic was important because in my school we do have some policies that are questionable. I understand that there are things that need to be put in place for safety measures, but sometimes policy doesn't match actions nor the school culture.

The second topic that I feel that was important was when we talked about Mental Health. This is important because recently in Jackson, MS we lost a student to suicide. When this incident happened it really opened my eyes, cause people will be showing signs that they are needing help with mental problems and their problems are getting ignored.

The final topic that I felt is important is about our leadership styles. I feel like it’s very important to know what type of leader you are and to lead the way you feel is best.

A servant leader is someone who leads by example. They try to guide people to do right and show what’s best. They also try their best to help the people in need physical and mentally.

Servant leadership is important because it allows us to learn and better our self because we are the future. It's vital that we try to make a change and make it better.

A favorite quote of mine reads, 'We are making history. If you feel like a change is needed to be made, try to find a way to make it happen. If you feel like a conversation is needed to be addressed, address it. Don’t allow anyone to knock you down.'"

Aniyah is the proud daughter of Stacey Bailey and Clifton Bailey.