WASHINGTON, D.C. - A team of teens from the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City took top honors at the Center of Transformation Summit in Washington, D.C., earning the award for Best Overall Project. The June 15–20 summit brought together youth from across the country to explore climate justice, food security, and social change through hands-on advocacy and innovation.
Representing Atlantic City were Lorenzo, Angel, Cy’Maya, and Jocelyn of Team ACE (Atlantic City Environmentalists). Their winning entry titled, “Don’t Gamble with Your Health" delivered a powerful message about the harmful food additives and limited access to healthy options in underserved communities such as Atlantic City.
Their project combined education, creativity and environmental awareness:
• A sustainable recipe cookbook featuring nutritious, affordable meals for families, including oat pancakes with blueberries, salmon musubi and taco bowls.
• A video and social media campaign created to spark community conversation around food deserts and toxic food ingredients.
• A “Trash to Treasure” art sculpture built from household recyclables, promoting local farming and environmental sustainability with hidden nods to New Jersey’s agricultural identity.
The program was led by club instructors Morgan Mohammed and Aldair Diego, who also accompanied the youth to the summit in Washington, D.C. They played a pivotal role in mentoring the students and supporting their development as leaders and advocates. This opportunity is a milestone in the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City’s ongoing mission to empower youth through academic support, mentorship and leadership development.
“These teens didn’t just show up, they led with vision, heart and innovation,” BGCAC CEO Tracey Triniwell said. “Winning Best Overall Project on a national stage is proof that our youth have the power to shape a better future.”
The national Center of Transformation program is built on three pillars: STEM education, advocacy and workforce readiness.
In addition to presenting their project, the Atlantic City teens toured college campuses, participated in career-building workshops and engaged with professionals at Amazon HQ, Booz Allen, Embassy of Switzerland and more. They even attended a private viewing of the historic Juneteenth General Order No. 3 at the National Archives.
A total of 10 local students completed the 10-week program to earn a spot at the summit. Alongside the four award winners, the full team included Zayalin, Sora, Britany, Ali, and Andy, each of whom contributed to the program’s success and momentum.
