Led by Emmy Award-winning actor Jacob Young and former Disney Andi Mack star Trent Garrett, NGS gives underserved students access to real-world film education, professional mentorship, and industry-level storytelling opportunities. With 1,000+ TV episodes and 100+ films between them, Jacob and Trent bring Hollywood experience into the classroom for the “ultimate learning experience.
The NGS Story
Hollywood-caliber filmmaking, mentorship, and film delivered to underserved students tapping into their creative being.
Filmmaking tools, creative language, and industry pathways — finally within reach
Working pros guide students through production, storytelling, and a real creative career
Clear leadership and oversight protect the mission as we grow
Governance in Action
As NGS grows, our governance rests on oversight, transparency, and student outcomes.
For donors, partners, and schools, it's how every contribution turns into real opportunity.
NGS is guided by a leadership model that brings together creative industry experience, educational strategy, community partnership development, and organizational oversight.
The executive leadership team advances the mission, builds strategic partnerships, develops programs, supports school and community relationships, and keeps NGS focused on measurable student impact.
NGS was founded by entertainment professionals who understand both the power of storytelling and the barriers many students face when trying to access the creative industry.
The Board of Directors provides organizational oversight, strategic guidance, and accountability to help NGS operate with integrity, clarity, and long-term sustainability.
Industry mentors, educators, production professionals, and community partners contribute expertise across screenwriting, acting, directing, cinematography, production, editing, career pathways, and student mentorship.
President and CEO of NGS and President of Highstreet Coaching LLC, Bruce brings more than 30 years of leadership across engineering, operations, business management and nonprofit governance. A nationally recognized speaker on board effectiveness, he has chaired the Board of Fellows at Norwich University, the Peninsula YMCA, and Virginia's Aerospace Advisory Council.
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Jacob Young brings Emmy Award-winning creative leadership and a deep commitment to student opportunity as Co-Founder of Next Generation Storytellers. With a career spanning television, film, Broadway, producing, directing, and youth advocacy, Jacob helps connect students to the confidence, mentorship, and industry-level experience needed to see what is possible for their future.
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Trent is a seasoned Hollywood veteran with 15+ years in films and television. He brings creative leadership and hands-on production expertise as Co-Founder of NGS. Trent has been instrumental helping students navigate and guiding through the full filmmaking process — from concept development to production. He places an emphasis on building every student's confidence, imagination, real-world collaboration and the creative skills they need to bring their stories to life.
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A career mentor known for guiding people at the start of their careers, Adam brings two decades of mentorship and community leadership on the Virginia Peninsula to NGS. He has been ranked the number one agent by the Virginia Peninsula Association of Realtors every year since 2017.
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A nonprofit executive and grant strategist with more than 40 years securing funding for education, Debbie has helped expand the Academies of Hampton and open college and career pathways for students as Grant Writer for Hampton City Schools.
Read Full BioLeaders are personally invested in expanding access to storytelling and creative career pathways.
Students are exposed to working professionals, production standards, and creative mentorship.
NGS works with educators, community leaders, and institutional partners to create practical programs.
Student work can be showcased through screenings, community moments, and public celebration.
The goal is confidence, communication, leadership, creativity, collaboration, and resilience.
As NGS expands its reach, leadership, governance and impact are top priorities. We are committed to expanding our curriculum, donor and sponsor transparency, impact reporting, school-district partnerships, equipment support, student career and scholarship pathways cultivated from our storytelling platform.
