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Kayci Ellen Baldwin

Biography

Highlights of Young Scholar Experience: At the top of her list of Foundation-supported activities was the summer she spent in Washington State at a Native American reservation mentoring at-risk youth, and learning about a new culture and the health disparities Native Americans face. In 2008, she traveled throughout South Africa for five weeks, living in the countryside and helping to refurbish a Griqua (racially and culturally mixed South Africans) community center. Looking back on the application process she said she shrugged her shoulders and filled out the application but clearly didn’t have her heart in the process. “Looking back it was one of the smartest shoulder shrug decisions I’ve ever made, and I am so grateful.”

Profile: Kayci Baldwin comes from the same part of New Jersey as Bruce Springsteen. And similar to “The Boss,”s” , she doesn’t like to sit on the sidelines. She likes to be out front, leading the charge and tries to be a game-changer. Those who know her best agree with her self-assessment – that she’s passionate about everything she does – but especially about learning and trying each day to make a difference. One important area where she’s made an impact is through her involvement as President of Teen Project RACE, a national group that advocates for multiracial children. She’s been interviewed by several national media outlets over the years and remains at the forefront of the group’s efforts. A born communicator, it’s only fitting her alma mater is Communications High School, a small academy in Wall Township, NJ for students interested in the field of communications.

Inspiration: Kayci’s been fortunate to have had many mentors in her home, school, church and at the Foundation, but can’t single out just one. “All of these wonderful people have played a dynamic role in shaping the woman I have become.”

Aspiration: Through her involvement with mentors from the Advanced Mentorship Programlliance for Minority Participation, Kayci has devoted a great amount of time to drafting language for potential legislation to be brought before Congress. The bill would ensure that the health and medical fields acknowledge mMultiracial identification. She also submitted a Citizen’s Petition to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services addressing this issue.

Making a Difference: There’s a very telling item buried deep in Kayci’s résumé where she briefly mentions the dates of her involvement with volunteer organizations (and there are many). Next to her work with such groups as Homes Without Borders, Teen Project Race and many more is the start date and end date. “Start date: 06/2006. End date: Forever.” From that one can deduce that this young lady plans on giving of her time and energy for as long as she is on this earth.

Accolades: While Kayci has received many school and service awards, she is is most proud of having received the Princeton Prize in Race Relations in 2009. She was invited back to Princeton in 2010 to serve as the Princeton Prize keynote speaker and has been invited to become a member of the selection committee for future years.

Interesting fact: Kayci was voted “most likely to become President” and “most dramatic” by her high school class. She calls that “a scary combination if you really think about it.”
 

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