Youth Now!
3rd Grader Maebry Leads with Style at North Heights!
Join us in this exhilarating episode of "Youth Now!" as we shine the spotlight on Maebry, an extraordinary young leader from North Heights Community School in the heart of Texarkana, Arkansas. Maebry has already proven herself a mover and shaker who breaks barriers and sets an inspiring example for her peers. This remarkable young lady serves as the proud manager of Heights Design, and is the only 3rd grader to be selected for a managerial position in the entire school! What sets Maebry apart is her profound understanding that being a good leader goes far beyond merely giving orders. It's about truly caring for the people you lead.
MicroBots Take On the VEX Robotics World Championship!
In this episode, our host Martin sits down with three remarkable fifth graders from Leadership Magnet School in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Join us as we dive into the world of robotics and hear the inspiring story of Korban, Ashton, and Anthony, members of their school's MicroBots team. This captivating conversation with these remarkable fifth graders explores their experiences, challenges, and triumphs throughout the journey to the Vex World Championship. Their achievements serve as an inspiration to young minds everywhere, reminding us that age is never a barrier to success when coupled with determination and hard work. So join us as we congratulate Korban, Ashton, and Anthony on their remarkable achievements and uncover the secrets behind their triumphs!
Kristin Brings Fresh Ideas & Lemonade to JCGCS!
Martin sits down with Kristin, a brilliant 4th grader with a bustling lemonade business. Kristin takes us on her entrepreneurial journey, starting with her MicroSociety experience at Jersey City Global Charter School in New Jersey and the creation of her very own lemonade stand. Tune in to discover how Kristin's summertime lemonade stand evolved into a thriving local business, complete with bottled products, a social media presence, and electronic payment options. Prepare to be inspired by Kristin's incredible ingenuity and determination!
Man Elementary Student Maylee Talks Leadership, Government, and MicroSociety!
Meet Maylee, a 5th grader at Man Elementary School in West Virginia, who has taken many leadership roles, including venture manager and delegate to her MicroSociety’s government. Her experiences proved to her that small is mighty, young people’s voices matter, and she could step up and be a leader!
JCGCS Students Take Action to Improve School Lunches
Join us as we hear from some inspiring – and hungry! – young leaders at Jersey City Global Charter School who worked with their cafeteria lunch vendor to bring tastier, healthier and more diverse meal options for all students! Tune in for an inspiring conversation on creating positive change in MicroSociety schools and beyond!
Young Activist, Designer, Author Kheris Rogers Encourages Kids to Shine Bright
Kheris Rogers is a 16-year-old model, dancer, singer, actress, activist and the youngest clothing designer to ever show a clothing line at New York Fashion Week. Kheris's socially conscious clothing line, Flexin' In My Complexion, went viral online, paving the way for her rise as an entrepreneur and internet influencer. Recently, Kheris added author to her list of titles with the release of a children's book, Shine Bright, that encourages kids to love the skin they're in.
Young Author, Anti-Bullying Activist Urges Youth To Serve Their Communities, Chase Their Dreams
Jahkil Jackson is a 14-year-old author, anti-bullying activist, and philanthropist from Chicago who has helped thousands of people who are homeless. Through his nonprofit organization, Project I Am, Jakhil is on a mission to motivate youth to get involved in their communities and to chase their dreams no matter their age. Jahkil’s accomplishments include being recognized by President Barack Obama as one of 2017’s most influential people, being named a Youth Ambassador for Heartland Alliance, and much more.
Inventor Lino Marrero Harnesses Clean Energy from Your Feet
Lino Marrero is a 15-year-old inventor with a passion for clean energy and environmental sustainability. Lino has been inventing since he was just 10 years old. His latest invention is Kinetic Kickz 2.0, a shoe insert that stores up kinetic energy as you run that you can use to charge your devices. A nominee for the TIME Kid of the Year award, Lino hopes that his growing platform will give him more opportunities to encourage young people to safeguard the environment.
How ‘Maker’ Elsa Bosemark Uses Glue, Gears and Cardboard to Interest Kids in STEAM Careers
Elsa Bosemark is a 17-year-old maker, artist, mobile app developer, and the driving force behind Hello Maker, an online hands-on learning platform that encourages elementary and middle-grade students to pursue entrepreneurship and careers in STEAM. Elsa founded Hello Maker in the summer of 2020 during the Covid-19 lockdown because she wanted to share her passion for making and to help students feel less isolated and more motivated. Also during the pandemic, Elsa teamed up with four high school girls to create an app called SafeBites that helps people find restaurants that keep customers and employees safe, which won the MIT App Inventor Hackathon.
Episode 6: Lesein Mutunkei Scores Soccer Goals to Fight Deforestation
Lesein Mutunkei, a 17-year-old from Kenya, is an environmental activist who has been doing his part to reverse the effects of climate change. Passionate from a young age about the environment, Lesein in 2018 created Trees for Goals, an organization that plants a tree for every soccer goal Lesein scores. His dedication has allowed the organization to plant over 1,400 trees and inspired many others to join him in the fight against climate change. Lesein is winner of the 2020 EcoHero Awards, which recognize young people 8 to 16 years old for environmental achievements.
Episode 5: Rylee Brooke Kamahele Is Activating Hawai’ian Youth To Protect the Environment
Rylee Brooke Kamahele of Hawai'i is a radio and TV host, model, actor, clothes designer, caretaker of 18 rescue pets, entrepreneur, and, last but not least, founder of multiple nonprofit projects. Phew! The 13-year-old oversees The Catalyst Club, an umbrella organization dedicated to providing opportunities for youth to be catalysts for change, as well as projects to combat plastic pollution and rehabilitate animals. A master networker with boundless energy, Rylee's is passionate about bringing youth together to protect Hawai’i’s nature and wildlife. Her activism won her 1st place in the 2020 EcoHero Awards, which recognize young people 8 to 16 years old for environmental achievements.
Episode 4: Nyla Gilstrap Is Bringing NYC High School Students Together to Fight Racial Injustice
Nyla Gilstrap is co-president of the Black Affairs Club at Trinity School in New York City and an activist with Black Students Demanding Change, a group of high school students from around the city who are working to make independent schools safe and welcoming for all students. A self-described communicator, Nyla has pushed for discussions about Black culture, systemic racism, and the Black Lives Matter movement, and used her voice to bring people together and create change.
Episode 3: This First-Grader Delivers Food to St. Louis’ Homeless
In Episode 3, Jaida interviews first-grader Paris Williams, who has been delivering bags of food to the homeless in her hometown of St. Louis since November 2019. The young activist started the Paris Cares Foundation, through which she accepts donations to buy food and other goods for her Paris Cares Packages. She is proof you're never too young to make a difference! Learn more about her work on Instagram, @pariscaresfoundation.
Episode 2: Jameson Cohen’s Infectious Passion for Public Service
In this episode, Jaida interviews Jameson Cohen, the 18-year-old founder of Circle of Friends, about his passion for public service. Jameson launched Circle of Friends in New York City near the start of the Covid-19 pandemic with a plan to connect the children of essential workers with volunteer high school students for online tutoring. Today, Circle of Friends, whose services are entirely free, works with all kinds of families all over the country.
Episode 1: Student Leader Danielle Geathers Shines at MIT
In our inaugural episode, Jaida interviews Danielle Geathers, the first Black woman to be elected student body president at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a rising junior mechanical engineer. Danielle was featured in Time Magazine's New American Revolution project in August 2020.
Introducing: Adventures With Jaida
Jaida, a MicroSociety 7th grader at Jersey City Global Charter School (JCGCC), is the host of our new series, "Adventures With Jaida," interviewing youth activists from within the MicroSociety community and far beyond. Jaida is a youth activist herself, having led a school outreach program to homeless veterans and an anti-bullying campaign. She is also JCGCC grade-level governor, a peer mentor, and an advisor to MicroSociety, Inc.'s Presidential Team.