Strong-willed, defiant and differently-abled with cerebral palsy, Britney Wilson is a leader for a new generation. Britney doesn't think she's had to work harder than other people; it's just that her challenges are different. She is outspoken in her refusal to be treated as a second-class citizen.

So how did this private school Brooklynite get into slam poetry? Watching a Knicks game one day in her room, there was an advertisement to try out for the Knicks Poetry Slam. She saw the ad and thought, "Oh, yeah. You know I got some poems." Britney has had many public speaking experiences, including debates, speeches and presentations. Her future is clear: "I want to be a politician," she says.

This leader-of-tomorrow is taking the first steps towards living out her dreams. First stop, the Brave New Voices National Youth Poetry Slam in Washington, DC. Next, Howard University—black America's premiere institute for higher learning. Britney plans to take on government-related internships and local work with the NAACP as soon as she can. Then, perhaps she'll finally take on the White House.