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Murfreesboro Police Officer Cole Glass serves under the Travis Manion Foundation as a Character Does Matter mentor for elementary students. Through his work, he teaches students how to become everyday heroes and leaders in their own communities. Wanting his students to see the impact 9/11 has had, Glass inspires them to take part in the community’s first-ever 9/11 Heroes Run.
As dark times struck the United States of America on September 11th, 2001, many tragedies came as a result of the horrific terrorist attacks that took place. But through tragedy, a hero is always born, and that's who 1stLt Travis Manion became in the process. With the guidance of his father, Col. Manion, Travis established a legacy of his own as a war hero and protector of the American people.
When Jessica Ross moved from New Jersey to South Carolina, she experienced her most “isolating” September 11th ever. Absent from a community of supporters, she mourned her older brother, Christopher Amoroso, 29, a Port Authority Police Officer trained in special tactics and fire patrol, quietly. The oldest of six siblings, Chris was last seen entering the North Tower after leading numerous people to safety from lower levels.
Shumi Brody was given a second chance at life by the firefighter who saved her life on September 11. He said, “Stay calm, keep moving. You’re getting out of here," and she did. Last year, Brody and family ran the 9/11 Heroes Run in honor of his service.
September 11, 2021, will mark 20 years of the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center in lower Manhattan. Tim Sullivan, with the New York City Fire Department, tells his story about being a firefighter on that day and reminding us never to forget the spirit of 9/11. Tim also recounts meeting the late 1st Lt Travis Manion and connecting to Travis Manion Foundation.
Parents are placing their birth experience into the hands of Doulas. With COVID-19 protocols and an increase in black maternal mortality, Doulas are becoming a birth commodity. Marilyn Rice is an educator that became a Doula to specialize in assisting parents through births, postpartum care, and emotional support in the event of child loss. After experiencing a pregnancy loss herself, Rice found sharing her story with others as a way to heal.
16-year-old Bella Adlah is the creator of Have Fun & Stay Strong, an organization that has created over 300 care packages for pediatric patients in hospitals. Unfortunately, Bella is currently battling a debilitating neurological disorder. Her family is now seeking support for Bella’s care and recovery from the community Bella once selflessly cared for herself.
Larissa Leon is a student competing for The Duck Brand’s $10,000 “Stuck at Prom” scholarship. She has gone viral for her dress made from 47 rolls of tape that took over 173 hours to create. She designed it to pay homage to her Mexican roots. The dress is inspired by the Folklorico-styled dresses that stem from Spanish folk heritage. Leon has inspired thousands of others to take pride in their heritage and celebrate the beauty in Mexican Culture.
“I wanted to do something more than just a dress; I wanted it to be a part of me, ” - Larissa Leon.
Matt Onojafe is the owner of Jafe Cycling. His bike shop caters to the Maryland community in repairing bikes and uplifting individuals in their health and wellness journey. Onojafe says that bike clubs bring people together and will soon become staple organizations for positivity and encouragement in the near future. “If a lot of us tend to just focus on what makes us passionate, your ability to impact your community increases, it elevates so much more.” - Matt Onojafe
“Beauty from ashes, ” Brittany Burcham says that becoming an emergency foster mother has allowed her to witness beautiful transformations. Burcham has fostered over 40 teens and is encouraging others to follow in her footsteps. She hopes that if more people step up to foster, mentor, or encourage teens, they can thrive and overcome trauma.
DeAngelous Williams says that My Sistah’s House is here to stay. MSH was founded in 2016 by Kayla Gore and Illyahnna Wasttshall to provide housing to transgender and queer people of color (TQPOC) in the Memphis, Tennessee, area. Their organization has provided housing security and sustainability to hundreds of TQPOC individuals.
Art is not the only mark being left in the tattoo industry. Women are banding together to validate themselves in the industry and for clients and aspiring artists. Standing up against sexism, racism, and misogyny are some of the social issues tattoo artist Cori Jin explores on her social media. She is banding women together to make a more progressive and inclusive industry.
20-year-old Tanzanian American and college student Marie Mbullu is behind Habari Njema, the TikTok series dedicated to informing a diverse audience about news from the African continent. From politics to pop culture, to all of the good things going on in Africa, Mbullu works to inform her over 200 thousand followers, many of which have a new interest in African culture and current events.
Jeffrey Wall is the founder of his own nonprofit, Golden Age Karate. At ten years old, Wall was inducted into The US Martial Arts Hall of Fame. Now 16-years-old and a black belt in karate, he shares compassion and talent in karate to teach elders how to build confidence and skill. Wall travels to retirement homes turning older adults into what he calls “Ninja Nanas.” Wall hopes to remind people that they are not alone and can build confidence at any age.
“A piece of advice I would give [someone] is if you have a goal, reach for it, don't let anyone tell you you can't or stop you, ” - Jeffrey Wall
Meet 16-year-old Bella Adlah created an organization, Have Fun & Stay Strong, which has created over 300 packages with toys for pediatric patients in hospitals. Bella has partnered with 22 hospitals and 1 foster care center and is always looking for ways to grow her outreach and impact. Read more about Bella's work.
Ralph “Pop” Miller is a pet transporter who spends his time driving pets to their new homes. From large dogs to tiny kittens, Miller travels thousands of miles a week just to spread the love and joy of a pet to those who need it. Miller’s journey has not been easy. Just like people lean on their pets to overcome, Miller has gone through his own struggles but through the power of positivity, he has been able to overcome them.
Safe Bridges LA (SBLA) is a nonprofit organization founded by radio personality and former community service provider Joslyn “Inkwell J” Beard. SBLA helps transitional-aged youth find allyship and inspiration through radio broadcasting. She is also helping the formerly incarcerated find resources for advancement in career and emotional support. Beard is deeply passionate about supporting people facing these hardships because she says she was wrongfully convicted and wants to use her experiences to elevate and educate others about how to avoid these circumstances but also succeed despite them.
This second-hand clothing store is not like most. Bloom’s mission is to provide community members in need and their families with free clothing that sets them up for success. Whether it be for a job interview or otherwise, Bloom believes that your clothes should not an obstacle, so here, clothes are not just clothes, they are symbols of dignity.
Introducing “Adoration of the Queer Mind”: the only self-help journal dedicated to the queer experience, and the mother and son duo behind it. The journey to self-discovery is an uphill battle for many members of the LGBTQIA+ community, but the “Adoration of the Queer Mind” journal serves as a safe space for those who may need a place to reflect.
Detroit’s Taproot Sanctuary practices the intersection of spirituality, right relationship with the earth, and social justice. By engaging the community and using earthly resources responsibly, co-founder En Sawyer has been instrumental in creating an intentional community grounded in self-reliance and sharing knowledge.
