“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.” - Helen Keller
Jodi Yancey-Sandoval is a Community Health Worker and the executive director of Teens Grounded. Their annual event, Hope Fest, brings people together for a day of fun. But it’s also a platform to promote mental well-being and fight suicide among young people.
“Helping others is the way we help ourselves" - Oprah Winfrey
In 2015, Rodney Smith Jr. came across an elderly man struggling to mow his lawn in Huntsville, Alabama. Most would have passed by and thought nothing of it. But Smith had a different idea. He pulled over and decided to help.
This gave Smith the idea for Raising Men Lawn Care Service.
Motivational speaker, life coach, television host, and author Cory George tries to teach others grounding in one essential question: what have you learned about yourself through adversity?
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” - Margaret Mead
A group of students in Hopewell, Virginia pick up trash in their community. They utilize an Instagram page, litterstewards, to showcase what they and others are doing to help improve the local environment.
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.” - Dr. Seuss
In 2004, a group of early childhood educators in Harrisonburg, Virginia noticed that 50% of children entering kindergarten had low levels of literacy. In response, they created The Reading Road Show, also known as the Gus Bus, a mobile classroom that visits kids in their neighborhoods and allows them the opportunity to check out books and participate in lessons of different subjects.
“I think it’s really important for all young women to really cultivate a strong sense of self-worth, to really know who they are and appreciate that person.” - Lindsey Turnbull
MissHeard Media is a platform for young teens and tweens to express themselves. Founder of MissHeard Media believes that this supportive community allows girls to accept who they are.
“To know that you had a hand in being a positive role model for a child or providing an experience that they might not have had otherwise is exciting,” - Danielle Middlebrooks
Danielle Middlebrooks is the executive director at Community Youth Advance, an organization that serves Prince George’s County and works to “teach, reach, and keep” youth on the path to success.
“I want everyone to be successful and reach their full potential and be able to feel like their living and not just existing, and that they’re living on purpose. I want everyone to know that they actually have a purpose.” - Omar Jones
Omar Jones is a social worker who has a passion for helping people find their purpose. Family and music are two things that have helped Jones build community.
“Don’t quit. Never give up trying to build the world you can see, even if others can’t see it.” - Simon Sinek. Audrey Callahan, a military kid, has found her way home to San Diego, California through her love and passion for music. Although her journey did not always put music first, she never went astray from it.
"To Kalib, keep on keeping on. There are no limitations to what you can do. I will always back you in whatever you want to do." - Sheena Jones. Kalib Wilson is a son, big brother, friend, and much more who loves everything dealing with technology. He also has autism, but every day he proves to the world why he is more than just a diagnosis. His mother, Sheena Jones, helps to tell his inspirational story.
"To be an artist is to believe in life." - Henry Moore. Demarcus McGaughey, a native of Dallas, Texas and current resident of Brooklyn, New York, would best be described as creative, empowering, and loving. He conveys these characteristics through his paintings and graphic design works.
"Love only grows by sharing. You can only have more for yourself by giving it away to others" - Brian Tracy. Since the young age of nine, Damon Jones has always been giving towards others. The need to help others came at a young age and stayed with him all the way through his adulthood. In order to help foster this characteristic within him, he founded the S.O.C.K.S Movement that specifically targets helping the least fortunate population in our society, the homeless.
"Kitchens are a place where memories are homemade and seasoned with love. And if happiness is homemade, that means kitchens are the epicenter of happiness." - Unknown. Imani and Charles Prince had the goal of bridging American southern cuisine with the London community. From that goal came their business, the Prince Phamily Kitchen.
"Inspire, celebrate, and empower our black males. Support them in becoming confident, intelligent, strong, capable, and powerful black men, teens, and boys." - Stephanie Lahart. Jeremy Herte has a passion for podcasting and helping African American men discuss what they have to navigate through on a daily basis. Through his podcast Let's Talk Bruh, Herte has the goal of helping black men with their ongoing journey of masculinity.
"People become really quite remarkable when they start thinking that they can do things. When they believe in themselves, they have the first secret of success.” – Norman Vincent Peale. Mira Stern is an advisor, educator, and school leader. She also has a passion for social justice. She intertwined these two aspects of her life to help educate high school students on concepts in our society that deal with social justice.
“As long as you have breath in your body, you still have a purpose.” - Timea Gaines.
Timea Gaines is a creator, entrepreneur, and breast cancer survivor. She is on a mission to help bring attention to families and the public about post-cancer awareness through her nonprofit organization Fight After The Fight Inc.
“Your happiness and everyone else's happiness rests largely on your decision to act nicely” - Jason Steinberg. After being given the opportunity to teach overseas in Micronesia to high school students, Jason Steinberg saw a need for the children in that community. When he came back to the United States, he organized a non-profit organization that focused on helping underprivileged kids fuel their passions through sports and music.
“And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.” - 1 Corinthians 13:13 New International Version (NIV).
After witnessing helplessly what category five Hurricane Dorian did to his home country, the Bahamas, Jonathan Burrows sprung into action. With the help of multiple connections, he is bringing a little faith, hope, and love to his fellow Bahamians.
“It’s not enough to survive, it’s after you survive, what do you do?” - Joaquin Ortiz. After fighting for the ability to walk again, Ortiz became an agent for the community. With the goal of making the world a better place, Ortiz has combined his entrepreneur skills and caring personality to help create multiple businesses and organizations that serve the community.
“Plant seeds of blessings and watch them grow and manifest” - Unknown "Mrs. Nerissa is dedicated to serving and mentoring young girls. Her mission is to equip young ladies towards successful paths. She dedicates her time and efforts in service, mentorship, and success" - Chelsea Anderson
