Advertising leaders help select 50 of the nation’s highest achieving diverse seniors to participate in one of the industry’s premier DE&I programs WASHINGTON, DC, JANUARY, 2024 — The American Advertising Federation (AAF) tapped leading industry professionals to select the 2024 class of Most Promising Multicultural Students. Entering its 27th year, the Most Promising program is one of the organization’s premier initiatives promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the advertising industry. The 50 selected students will participate in a four-day industry immersion program in New York on February 4-9, 2024. The program will include professional development and personal branding workshops, the “Building Bridges for Our Future” Awards Ceremony and Luncheon, and Recruiter’s Expo. The Most Promising program gives advertising, media, communications, and tech companies the opportunity to connect with 50 top-performing and high-achieving diverse college students from across the nation. “The 2024 Most Promising inductees embody the spirit of the changemakers that have come before them,” stated Candace D. Queen, AAF’s VP, Mosaic Center. “With an unwavering determination and a deep-rooted desire to make a difference, they are ready to revolutionize our industry. It is imperative that we cultivate environments and pathways that empower them to shape a new frontier into an ever-evolving landscape, primed for transformation.” Each year, students from historically excluded communities that are members of the AAF’s 140+ college chapters apply to the program. This year’s judging panel included thought leaders with a range of backgrounds and experience and from companies such as Amazon Ads, Kinesso, Ogilvy, Snap, The Trade Desk, University of Memphis, Vox Media and Whirlpool. Leading agencies and companies including IPG, FCB, Dentsu, The Trade Desk, Omnicom Group, Sony Music Group, EnergyBBDO, TikTok, RPA, Publicis Groupe and others, have been long-standing Most Promising supporters and view the program as a valuable resource in recruiting diverse, entry-level talent. “The Most Promising Multicultural Students Class of 2024 has met all criteria and vetting processes by an outstanding experienced and respected Council of Judges,” said Steve Pacheco, CEO of the AAF. “Now, more than ever, the need to connect young talent to the advertising industry is a top priority for everyone. AAF is proud to champion and help develop the Next Generation of Advertising leaders.” If your organization would like to participate in the Recruiter’s Expo, contact Erica Blake (eblake@aaf.org) or Candace D. Queen (cqueen@aaf.org). This year’s powerhouse class of inductees represents 39 schools, reflecting the beautiful tapestry of our country. In alphabetical order: 2024 AAF MOST PROMISING MULTICULTURAL STUDENTS Tania Acosta Roger Williams UniversityAlicia Anthony Towson University Janie Arseneaux Ball State University Gabriel Bori Brigham Young University Teju Calambakkam University of South Florida Emily Chu University of California Berkeley Aniya Davis University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Alejandra De La O University of Texas At Austin Wesley Dean University of Minnesota – Twin Cities Maya Ellis University of Minnesota – Twin Cities Emily Eng Pennsylvania State University Anacorina Garcia University of Tampa Freya Garcia University of Florida Krystal Huang Pennsylvania State University Zaria Jackson Texas State University Lauren Jenkins University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Didi Jin Northwestern University Kaitlin Kakoyiannis Ohio State University Aislan Lennon St. Mary’s University Jenna Lutfi Wayne State University Kayla Marrero Pennsylvania State University Audrey Meulehe University of Kentucky Monserrat Munoz Southern Illinois University of Carbondale Naomi Muuzic University of Illinois At Urbana – Champaign Christina Nguyen University of Oregon Lily Nguyen University of Minnesota – Twin Cities Haneen Nour Georgia Institute of Technology Aya Obaid University of South Carolina Cooper Olson University of Minnesota – Twin Cities Jose Paniagua-Hernandez University of Oregon Sydney Pearson Syracuse University Alexis Quan St. John’s University Janice Rodriguez Ball State University Rolex Saint-Preux Florida A&M University Sam Suarez Chapman University Ava Swarup Arizona State University Hillary Thilavong Johnson & Wales University Arelia Thompson Harris-Stowe State University Jessica To Georgia State University Amirah Torrence Ithaca College Jackie Truong University of Florida Valeria Valdes University of Georgia Julissa Vazquez University of Houston Olivia Wallace University of Illinois At Urbana Champaign Ryan Wilson University of Missouri Columbia Hailey Winder University of Central Florida Kyndal Workman Chapman University Eli Wright Brigham Young University Grace Yam University of San Francisco Lakyah Young Lincoln University of Pennsylvania ABOUT AAF Established in 1905, the American Advertising Federation (AAF), acts as the “Unifying Voice for Advertising.” Its membership is comprised of more than 50 corporate members made up of the nation’s leading advertisers, agencies, and media companies; a national network of 150+ local clubs representing 40,000 advertising professionals; and more than 140 college chapters with 4,000 student members. The AAF operates a host of programs and initiatives, including Advertising Day on the Hill, the Advertising Hall of Fame, the Advertising Hall of Achievement, the American Advertising Awards, the National Student Advertising Competition, the Most Promising Multicultural Students Program and HBCUs for Advertising. Follow us on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn (https://aaf.org). ABOUT THE AAF MOSAIC CENTER The American Advertising Foundation’s (AAF) Mosaic Center for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Advertising, is a part of the AAF’s philanthropic arm and implements all of the organization’s multicultural and diversity initiatives. The Mosaic Center is an established leader on multicultural marketing/advertising and inclusion issues. The Center’s mission includes the development of new programs and services to recognize and develop diverse talent and promote broad and realistic portrayals of multicultural communities. Learn more about the Mosaic Center’s work here. | 
