Chris Suggs

Born and raised in Kinston, North Carolina, Christopher J. Suggs strives to make a difference in his hometown.

Since a young age, Chris has been heavily involved in his community. From attending community board meetings with his mother, volunteering in street clean-up projects with his father, to making his voice heard at local government meetings with his aunt, he has always been that young person that everyone recognizes as a volunteer, leader, and one who advocates for his peers.

Chris is the Founder, President and CEO of Kinston Teens, Inc. - a non-profit organization founded on the premise of empowering youth through service, leadership and civic engagement. On an individual level, and under the Kinston Teens organization, Chris has organized and led community beautification projects; voter registration drives; mentoring programs for elementary and middle school students; and award-winning youth leadership seminars.

Because of his heart and passion for his community, Christopher has been awarded with the Young Professionals of Lenoir County’s Emerging Leader Award and the Kinston Free Press’s 20-Under-40 Award. Chris is also a multiple-time recipient of the Kinston-Lenoir County Teens & Kids Who Care Award.

Chris has been recognized as“one of 15 Superkids are going to change the world” by TheRoot.com- and he works hard to live up to that title. He is a strong advocate for young people having a 'seat at the table,' and serves on several local, state and national advisory committees to promote this. Chris is a member of the Lenoir 2020 Committee, the NC Center for Safer Schools Student Advisory Council, Crisis Text Line's Youth Advisory Council, andFacebook's inspirED Youth Advisory Board. Chris has been a guest speaker at events throughout the North Carolina region where he has spoken on youth empowerment, the role young people have in government, and ways youth can make a difference in their community. In August 2015, Chris was recognized as Youth of the Year by the NC Gang Investigator's Association for serving as a role model for youth and providing positive alternatives to gang violence through community service.

Chris is also the Co-Founder & Development Director of Black Youth Network—a national network with the mission of connecting and empowering young African-American leaders and influencers who are making positive, meaningful contributions to our culture and society.