The National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC) has selected this year’s Youth Scholars for its Youth Initiative to End HIV in America. The program provides young advocates with opportunities to develop leadership skills, knowledge and confidence, which they will then use in their own communities and careers to help end the epidemic.

Recipients are beginning the eight-month program of events by attending the U.S. Conference on AIDS (USCA), which takes place October 2 to 5 in San Diego and is organized by NMAC. The youth scholar program is developed in collaboration with ViiV Healthcare, Advocates for Youth and the Magic Johnson Foundation.

The 2014 Youth Scholars are: Charisse Ahmed, Tranisha Arzah, Daryl (Dee) Balliet, Kahlib Barton, Jesus Barrios, Mickyel “Micky” Bradford, Brittany Brathwaite, Tasha Campbell Parker, Camille Charles, Adrian Castellanos, Moises Cintron, Derek Dangerfield II, Thomas Davis, Benjamin Di’Costa, Tiera Decker, Kimi Farrington, Charlie Ferrusi, Edric Figueroa, Syndi Gonzalez Negron, Zach Howe, Tiara Jackson, Patrick Ingram, Trevor Jacobs, Shaquille Long, Steven-Emmanuel Martinez, Miguel Moreno, Edgar Mendez, Alexander Pacach, Asia Quick, Twiggy Pucci Garcon, Taija “Koogei” Revels, Chaneil Scott, Amanda Rodriguez, Kristopher Sharp, Narong Sokhom, Marquis Sidbury, Martez Smith, Karól Soto, Lawrence Stallworth II, Reginald “Regi” Stevenson, Maiah Taylor, Bernard Telsa, Thomas Wilson, Terrell Winder, Derrick Young and Matthew Zavala.

For photos and bios on each scholar, visit nmac.org.