On February 27, D.C. United welcomed Urban Alliance students to the club’s front office for its Executive Shadow Day, an annual event in recognition of Black History Month which offers young people an immersive professional experience to learn from some of the best in professional sports. Urban Alliance is a nonprofit organization that connects high school students with paid internships, mentorship, and professional development opportunities. Through our Soccer & Soar initiative and ongoing partnership with Urban Alliance, D.C. United remains committed to bridging the opportunity gap by empowering the next generation with meaningful career exposure and mentorship.
Life in the front office can be fast paced, especially as the team gears up for a new season. While the work is demanding, it is equally rewarding. The annual Executive Shadow Day serves as a powerful reminder of the impact we can make when we take a step back and share our knowledge with future young leaders.
The day began with introductions, where student participants shared their career interests and current internship experiences. After breaking into mentor-student pairs, participants grabbed lunch and found comfortable spaces throughout the office to engage in one-on-one conversations. These insightful discussions allowed students to ask questions, learn about different career paths, and gain valuable advice from D.C. United staff.
The event concluded with a workshop on personal branding followed by a panel discussion moderated by Shanell Mosely, Senior Director of Community Relations & Executive Director of the D.C. United Foundation. The panel featured a diverse group of front office employees, including:
- Ebony Slade | Senior Coordinator, Guest Experience
- Jasmiahya Young | Graphic Designer
- Morgan Presley | Coordinator, Community Marketing
- Stuart Cundiff | Account Executive, Membership Sales
- Sydney Armbrister | Manager, Corporate Partnership Activation
For one panelist, the event marked a full-circle moment. Jasmiahya Young, now a Graphic Designer for Power FC, was once an Urban Alliance student herself.
“Urban Alliance has been such a beneficial program for me in so many ways. They helped shape my pre-professional journey by giving me the opportunity to intern in my desired career field not only while I was in high school but after college as well. They have an amazing alumni program that provided me with job search help and resume building workshops. Experiencing UA from the 'other side' as a mentor was incredibly rewarding—an unexpected but fulfilling full-circle moment."
At D.C. United, we believe in the power of mentorship and the importance of creating pathways for young people to achieve their dreams. The Executive Shadow Day exemplifies how partnerships like the one with Urban Alliance can open doors, spark inspiration and shape the future of our community.
