Pathways to Success advocate Jalyn Powell earns graduate law degree

Jalyn Powell has always been up for a challenge, showing leadership qualities throughout her formative years.

In 2015, she was invited to join Delaware State University’s National Honor Society of Leadership and Success, and in 2017, she received the George Washington Leadership Award. After receiving her bachelor of arts degree in political science at DSU, Powell went on to pursue her master of arts in law degree with a concentration in human rights and rule of law from Regent University. She graduated May 9.

She has also had the honor of serving as an intern with U.S. Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester and U.S. Sen. Tom Carper. She has has volunteered with Network Delaware, YWCA and ACLU’s #CampaignForSmartJustice to promote racial/social justice, political participation, women’s rights and empowerment, and bring awareness to mass incarceration rates in Delaware. Through this civil service, Powell was inspired to create her own company, Outloud LLC, an empowerment services corporation focusing on youth development, engagement and advocacy.

For the last three years, she has held an annual youth conference in memory of her twin brother’s untimely death. These conferences shed light on the effects of driving under the influence and educate youth to make healthy decisions.

Other advocacy and outreach efforts have included the role of youth advocate for First State and Youth Move, and being nominated to serve as a board member on an advisory and advocacy subcommittee for the Division of Prevention and Behavioral Health Services where she represents youth in Sussex County.

Most recently, Powell accepted a position with Pathways to Success, which helps youth attending Cape Henlopen, Milford, Seaford and Sussex Tech high schools who have been identified as being at risk for not graduating. She is utilizing her organizational planning, leadership and communication skills as a community advocate and compliance coordinator for the organization.

Fay Blake, Pathways to Success founder and executive director, said, “We are so fortunate to have Jalyn on our team. She brings a wealth of skills, knowledge, and compassion for the youth we serve as we prepare for continued growth, focusing on our ultimate goals to inform, educate and empower our students to become resilient, contributing members of our communities and society!”