32 maconmagazine.com | December 2025/January 2026
STORY BY BRITTNY JOHNSON
Providing a safe, nurturing environment for youth, rooted in
academic support and career readiness, all at no cost.
N E X T L E V E L
C O M M U N I T Y
D E V E L O P M E N T
C E N T E R
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Y E A R S
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he question of whether
leaders are born or made
has long sparked debate.
Leaders may be intelligent,
innovative, generous, or courageous,
but regardless of the answer, one
truth remains: great leaders cultivate
other leaders. That is exactly what
is happening at Bibb Mount Zion's
Next Level Community Development
Center (CDC). The Next Level CDC
is an academic enrichment program
dedicated to empowering youth
through mentoring, leadership
development, summer learning,
and, most importantly relationship
building. Designed to serve families
living below the poverty line, the
program provides a safe, nurturing
environment rooted in academic
support and career readiness, all at
no cost to participants.
