Young leaders address nicotine addiction as truth Ambassadors

Eight young leaders from across the country are committed to national and local action to empower lives free from nicotine addiction as the new class of truth Ambassadors and Trainers.

The truth Ambassador program is a year-long youth leadership program by Truth Initiative. Five Ambassadors are working with Truth Initiative staff to recruit their peers, share their stories and experiences, and advocate to campus, local, state, and national decision makers. 

This year, three Trainers – former Ambassadors – are maximizing their impact with Truth Initiative by mentoring the five young leaders new to the program.

Arnija Stegall, District of Columbia

Arnija inspired her grandfather to quit smoking. “I remember seeing a commercial on TV in the early 2000s on the negative effects of nicotine. So the next time I saw him, I gave him a lecture on what I learned and that he shouldn’t smoke because I wanted him to be around longer. He said, ‘Okay,’ stopped smoking, and he’s still here.” Empowering lives free from nicotine addiction is a shared passion in Arnija’s family, as her siblings are former truth Ambassadors.

Briana Brooks, Florida

Briana was a truth Ambassador in 2021 while in college, where she organized a block party for students to engage in fun activities while asking judgment-free questions about nicotine use. She graduated and returned to the Ambassador program in 2024 as a Trainer. “I want to make a difference in my community as well as grow as a leader.”

Joe Hampton, Georgia

Joe is a college junior studying chemistry. “I chose to become a truth Ambassador to influence my peers and the younger generation behind me to make the right choice. I hope to influence them to quit vaping and using tobacco products in general.”

Jordan Young, Ohio

Jordan is a college sophomore studying pre-med. This is his third year contributing to truth activism, and his Christian faith motivates his work. “As a believer in and follower of Jesus Christ, I am an ambassador for truth in the most absolute sense.” 

Kacey King, Georgia

Kacey joined the Ambassador program in 2023 and earned a Master of Science in biotechnology. She returned to the program in 2024 to be a Trainer. This is her sixth year contributing to truth activism. “This is work I am very passionate about. I love to help with advocacy and social justice.”

Katt Alcantara, Maryland

Katt joined the Ambassador program in 2023 and returned to the program in 2024 to be a Trainer. She is a college junior studying history and philosophy. “As a former vaper, I know how hard it is to continue the work once you quit vaping. I’m here to remind everyone that it’s possible to overcome these challenges.”

Nikolaos Rivera, Indiana

Nikolaos was an honorable mention recipient of the 2022 truth IMPACT scholarship and earned a Master of Health Sciences in cardiovascular epidemiology. “I believe in this work and the impact we can make, and working in the field like this gives me energy and makes me happy.”

Vivian Nartey, New York

Vivian is a college junior studying communications and psychology. “I want to be a truth Ambassador because I am seeing firsthand how the dangers of vaping and tobacco are affecting my community, and I want to make a difference.”