Prudential Financial has announced its 2023 class of Prudential Emerging Visionaries, 25 exceptional young leaders from across the nation who are addressing the financial and societal challenges of a changing world—and junior Sidney Keys is among the winners. 

A recipient of the Societal Solutions for a Changing World Award, which highlights work that creates more equitable and sustainable communities, Keys was named an Emerging Visionary for his work founding Books N Bros, a book club that improves young Black men’s relationship with reading by amplifying African American stories and literature. Keys created the program to increase literacy among young men of color. His project curates boxes of books representing diverse perspectives that are shipped across the country monthly, along with hosting virtual and in-person meetups. The club is a safe space for young men of color to connect and grow a relationship with books together and serves more than 700 internationally.

Keys will receive a $5,000 award to help take his innovation to the next level, and he has been invited to attend an all-expenses-paid trip to Prudential’s Newark, N.J., headquarters for a three-day summit in April, where he will receive coaching, skills development and networking opportunities with Prudential employees and other young leaders.

“The goals of our Emerging Visionaries program reflect Prudential’s overarching purpose: to make lives better by solving the financial challenges of our changing world,” says Chairman and CEO Charles Lowrey. “We applaud all of our honorees for their commitment to improving the lives of others and creating inclusive and thriving communities.”