JA 18 Under 18 2026
TAIGE HART
Taige, a student-athlete in the 11th grade, is recognized for her ability to identify community needs and mobilize others to help meet them. Most notably, she created Brooklynn’s Hart Inc., an organization dedicated to supporting women and children in need, which she is currently applying to have made into a nonprofit. Through this organization, Taige has led numerous outreach efforts, including coat drives, feeding the homeless, adopting families for the holidays, and organizing toiletries and essentials drives for seniors. An inherent leader, Taige is a member of the Youth Advisory Board for Ballet After Dark (a nonprofit that uses dance and movement to provide trauma-informed healing). She is an active leader in the Black Student Union at her school, Maryvale, and has participated in the Baltimore Student Leadership Diversity Conference for three years.
Taige possesses a rare combination of empathy, determination, and vision. Her ability to identify needs and act decisively demonstrates strong organizational and leadership skills beyond her years.” —Colleen Rives, teacher, Maryvale Preparatory School