Did someone say ‘Triple Threat’? Yes! We did while talking about  actor-artist-songwriter, Carlon Jeffery! The talented young star plays the role of Cameron Parks on Disney Channel’s  hit show “A.N.T. Farm.”

Not only  is he a dynamic actor but Carlon recently showed off his musical skills when he did a remake version of Will Smith’s popular “Summertime” on the “A.N.T. Farm” soundtrack from Walt Disney Records. And it doesn’t stop there for this 19 year old celeb on the rise.  Carlon Jeffery has  recently become  the fresh face of the new, hot clothing line, Focusd Apparel.

The  teen heartthrob has been featured in publications as  Popstar, Tiger Beat, BOP, J-14 just to name a few!

So many teens look up to you as inspiration to follow their dreams! How did you dive into your acting career at such an young age?

It started when I was about twelve years old. My family and I traveled to Florida to this huge competition for music, acting, fashion, etc. I entered the acting competition and took first place in a monologue. It was my first time reading a script. The judges of the competition thought I should pursue acting by coming to California to meet casting agents. So, I went and met casting agents for ANT Farm. I landed the show and then later moved from Ohio to California.

Acting isn’t your only talent that you posses, you’ve recently did a remake version of Will Smith’s popular “Summertime” on the “A.N.T. Farm” soundtrack. What do you love about music?

I love everything about music! The inspiration from a song, the stories… everything.

Where do you ultimately see your music career in the future?

Acting will always be my first love, but I do see my music taking off in the same direction. I’ve actually been in the studio working on my album these last few months.

It’s awesome that as a teen you love giving back to the community! Why is helping others a passion of yours?

I just have this passion of wanting to help out and do more. I think it’s because so many people have helped me get to where I am today. There should be a drive in everyone to help someone else advance in life.

We’re excited to see you continue to achieve all your goals! What projects can we expect from you in the near future?

Yes, I’m working on a few projects. I’m the lead actor in a few upcoming films that I can’t talk about or give the name of the project yet, but continue to follow me for updates. Fans can follow me on Twitter @carlonjeffery. I don’t have a Facebook yet. I’ve been told that there are a few out there, but it’s not me. I will be announcing on Twitter about the launch of my website with all my official social sites.

We are all about teen empowerment, What does EMPOWERMENT mean to you & what advice would you give teens to be comfortable in their skin?

To me empowerment means using tools that enhance, motivate, and improve your life that brings about human development. Be confident and stand up for what you believe in and what you want to do in life. Be comfortable being you and love who you are.

Being an young actor & musician you are constantly juggling responsibilities that can sometimes be a bit overwhelming. How do you regroup and motivate yourself when you’re feeling a little defeated?

When I need to regroup, I stop what I’m doing and go sit in my backyard, close my eyes and reflect on positive things and not so much the negative. This help me a lot.

Fun Faves! Shoe shopping. Fave Song? Harlem Shake. Fave Food? Shrimp or Lobster. Celeb Crush?Stacey Dash. Date Spot? Crave! It’s 24 hour food spot for a lot of teens.

Check out More Carlon Jefferey here…

Twitter

Hello loves!

We told you we were going to kick off fresh events in 2013! Well, you don’t have to wait any longer!

C.O.R.E Mag & Creative Dreamers would like to invite you to our Art of War Art Battle in NYC!

‘Art of War’ Art Battle is a fundraiser that raises money for C.O.R.E Magazine and Creative Dreamer organizations. The event exhibits different genres of art in a social networking environment. This year we have 4 fine artists and 2 musical artists that will showcase their talents on Thursday, May 2^nd at Dragones Rooftop Lounge at Indigo Hotel in Chelsea (127 W. 28^th St. NY, NY 10001 between 6^th and 7^th)

Featured Artists:
Eunah Han
DERTI
Daniel Hibbert
Kamila Maslowska

Musical Guests:
G. Martin
Ja’ Shayla

When: Thursday, May 2nd

Where: Dragones Rooftop Lounge at Indigo Hotel in Chelsea (127 W. 28^th St. NY, NY 10001 between 6^th and 7^th)

Tickets: $10

Purchase tickets early or at the door -www.artofwarartbattle.eventbrite.com

Don’t Miss Out!

Bold & beautiful are the words that describe Beauty Activist, Kenatia Lee!  Passionately committed to helping women embrace their beauty, Kenetia speaks to women’s organizations all over the country encouraging them to appreciate themselves and is the author of Fearless Beauty: A Women’s Guide to Living Bold, Beautiful & Free.

Kenetia’s work as a highly sought-after Red Carpet Makeup Artist has given her the honor of working intimately with talented women at the Academy Awards, the Golden Globe Awards, the Grammy Awards, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, and Teen Vogue Fashion LIVE to name a few.  As a Public Speaker & Spokesperson, she has worked with Revlon, Covergirl, Mark Cosmetics, The Miss Universe Organization, Step Up Women’s Network, and numerous other national organizations.  Kenetia has regularly appeared on Television shows such as ABC’s “Eyewitness News Sunday Morning,” WB’s “Good Day Arizona,” WB’s “Flix & Pix Detroit,” and CW’s “Extra!”  Kenetia can also be found as a Featured Columnist in publications such as InStyle, The Las Vegas Review, and The Los Angeles Sentinel.

Kenetia presents a powerful message that is uplifting, empowering, and gives young ladies the confidence they need to be themselves and feel beautiful just the way they are.

Let’s get to know Kenetia better….

You wear many different hats as a make up artist, author & personal coach, what made you want to dive into these specific careers?

They are different but in many ways the same. As a makeup artist, author and personal coach I am able to share my passion bringing out the beauty I see in others. To me it is all the same, just different expressions with the same objective.

In your book “Fearless Beauty: A Women’s Guide to Living Bold, Beautiful & Free.” you tackle the idea beauty, why was it important for you to discuss this topic?

It is an important topic for me to discuss because everywhere around me I see how badly people crave to look and feel beautiful. Even at the expense of permanently damaging or completely losing themselves. I want women to feel empowered by their beauty. And playfully celebrate their uniqueness and freely express it in the world.

As a teen female it’s a constant battle to try to fit into what the media’s idea of “beauty” is, what piece advice would you give to teen girls to embrace their unique beauty?

I don’t know that teens care so much about what the media has to say about whether or not they are beautiful. They are more concerned about whether or not their peers (and the boys) think they are beautiful. Anyone who has ever made a difference for other people, always dared to be different (to be themselves). President Obama, Beyonce, Oprah, Tyra Banks, Bruce Lee, Bill Gates, etc. Continue trying to fit in and you will likely not stand out!

What can we expect from you in the next 5 years?

Another book or 2 is definitely in the works. I’m also working to bring my message to a larger audience so it is possible I will bring my message to a different medium like cable or network television.

Being a teen can be tough when you’re growing up, what was the most vital lesson as a teen you learned that carried into your adult life?

You can’t please everybody so you might as well be pleasing to yourself. Those who get you will stick around and those that don’t won’t.

We’re all about EMPOWERMENT at C.O.R.E Mag, what does empowerment mean to you?

Empowerment means to me, building someone up so they CAN do for themselves.

Fun Faves!!- Food? Shrimp Song? My Fun Valentine Artist? Pat McGrath ~ Celebrity Makeup ArtistCeleb Crush? President Barack Obama

Check out more Kenetia here…

Kenetia Lee

 “Whatever you do choose to win,” are the encouraging words of Ciara Elle. This empowered young lady is the founder of the Life Development Agency & author of B.A.I.T. (Believe. Affirm.Inspire.Transcend),  a book of affirmation and encouragement for teens!  She has also created several youth development programs and has successfully served hundreds of children and families since entering the mental health profession six years ago. Motivated by the negative portrayal of women in the media, Ciara went into the field of life coaching and wrote a  self-help book for young women, Go Get It! Ciara  is continuously spreading the word that self growth should be a lifelong journey for  everyone. 

Let’s get to know Ciara a little better..

You wear many different hats as an author, behavioral specialist, mentor, and life coach, what made you want to dive into these specific careers?

I began as a behavioral specialist while I was in school for counseling; I had no idea what a behavior specialist was I needed a job and I took off from there. I noticed with some kids who were receiving counseling they didn’t necessarily need it they could benefit from having a mentor, which lead me in that direction. I decided to start writing after I had multiple encounters with so many kids whom shared similar childhood experiences as I did, I wanted to share my world in hopes that it will motivate the hopeless to become a victor and not a victim. As it relates to becoming a life coach, the thought and inspiration came from watching an episode of a reality show. Overall, the many hats that I wear tie into my profession which is counseling.

 B.A.I.T. (Believe. Affirm.Inspire.Transcend) & Go Get It! are both motivational books you’ve written geared towards young women, what’s the number 1 lesson you would want girls to take away after reading each one?

B.A.I.T is a daily motivational book, I would want them to do as the title says Believe. Affirm, Inspire. and Transcend. After reading Go Get It, i would want the ladies to put the past behind them; move forward and Go after what ever they aspire to go after.

You’ve created several nonprofit organizations and youth development programs, why is it important to you to focus on empowering our youth?

Because they will someday become adults; I just want them to succeed in life oppose to settling.

What can we expect from you in the next 5 years?

In the next 5 years you can definitely expect to see me on television, 2 peer centers one in Chicago and Atlanta, and a couple of top selling books.

 Being a teen can be tough when you’re growing up, what was the most vital lesson as a teen you learned that carried into your adult life?

I would have to say, the importance of working and saving my earnings.

We’re all about EMPOWERMENT at C.O.R.E Mag, what does empowerment mean to you?

Empowerment means the world to me, it is very much important to me to the extinct I would do it all for free if I had the means to do so.

Fun Faves!!- Food? Song? Artist? Celeb Crush?
My favorite foods are Tacos and seafood. Micheal Jackson is my favorite artist. (Laughs….) my celeb crush is Lance Gross.

Check out more Ciara Elle …

Ciara Elle

Twitter

Name: Kelly Hernandez

Age:  12

City: Nashville

Grade: 7th

What is your dream job and why?   

My dream job is  to be an Artist.  I really love creating!

Which hobbies do you enjoy?     

My favorite hobbies are painting & reading.

Who is your biggest crush?   

Tyler Perry

What’s your favorite song to jam to right now?   

    “Oath” by Cher Lloyd

If you could change one thing about the world, what would that be? 

  If I could change one thing in the worl

What does empowerment mean to you?     

Empowerment means believing yourself & being true to yourself.

What are your plans after high school?           

My plans are to attend Vanderbilt University!

How have your helped someone in your life lately?   

I listen and try to give solutions

Who is your role model and why?    

  I’m still in search of my role model.

Acting, singing & dancing, are just a few of the talents Jaida-Iman Benjamin has to offer to the world! This triple threat is the perfect combo of fresh talent, ultimate drive & undeniable beauty! From being featured on TNT’s hit show Southland to acting on Disney Channel’s Austin & Ally, there is nothing that this young star on the rise isn’t able to accomplish. The LA based teen actress, is on the road of accomplishing her dreams & motivating girls as she is doing it!

Let’s get to know Jaida-Iman Benjmain a little better…

Being young and having responsibilities can sometimes get to be a bit overwhelming, how do you regroup and motivate yourself when you’re feeling a little defeated?

How I regroup and motivate myself when I’m feeling a little defeated is by remembering how blessed I am to had come so far. I believe God has a strategic plan for everyone and a lot of times just because things don’t go the way WE want it to go, we get angry. But remembering that there is a plan for me and everything happens for a reason, regroups my mentality.

Your future is shining extremely bright! What projects can we expect from you in the near future?

MOVIE: Lifetime movie “Life of a King” starring Cuba Gooding Jr.

Who says brains & beauty can’t mix? Well, Dr. Misee Harris is the definition of this dynamic combination! The dentist turned model/actress is now working towards  becoming the first African American Bachelorette on ABC! Dr. Harris puts 100% into every endeavor that she has set out to do and welcomes the new opportunities that have come into her life. Hailing from Columbia, Tennessee, this  intelligent and beautiful woman not only is driven but also  has a strong passion for mentoring today’s youth.  Whether it be dentistry, styling, modeling , acting, or mentoring, she knows that the keys to success is determination and God. She goes by the motto… Pray hard and fear nothing!

Let’s get to know Dr. Misee Harris a little better…

You’re such an inspiration to achieve a variety of dreams! You’re an established dentist turned model/actress, what inspired you to step into these fields?

I became a dentist because my own pediatric dentists, Dr. James Hutton and Dr. Heather Owens, inspired me. After beginning my career I saw how I could change lives. By taking away pain or creating smiles that improved self-esteem, I found it very satisfying. Dental school was definitely NOT FUN! It was very stressful: in the lab, didactically and managing patients.  I love children so pediatric dentistry, though difficult was definitely the right career choice for me!

As a child, I always had a passion for fashion which has carried over into my adulthood. Thankfully, my mother supported and nurtured this passion by taking me on model calls monthly, bringing my sister along for support. I had no idea what I was doing, but I loved it! As I got older, I realized I really had an eye for mixing and matching clothes to create a unique fashion statement. Following through on this love I began modeling any chance I got. My mother even let me go to NYC one summer to really try and take my modeling career to the next level. However, I quickly found out that being 5’5” wasn’t going to get me anywhere close to the runway. Nevertheless, I continued modeling. I currently model for photographers who are building their portfolios, a few clothing boutiques such as Calypso Boutique in Lexington, KY, Pollen Pixie located in Nashville, TN and Sugar & Spikes Boutique in Dallas, Texas as well as J. LaRae Beautiful Cosmetics.

I call myself the “You send it, I wear it, I tweet about it girl”.  All fashion designers, store owners, product developers…..send it my way! MAC cosmetics, Cover Girl, did you hear me?

Being a young business woman can sometimes get to be a bit overwhelming, how do you regroup and motivate yourself when you’re feeling a little defeated?

I turn on the TV and watch either one of the Disney Channel’s many comedy shows or some of my favorite reality shows. I love to laugh and these shows give me a bit of a pick me up! I also try to detach myself by going to the mall, going out with friends or simply planning home interior projects. But my all time favorite thing to do when I am feeling down is to go to Goodwill and put together an awesome outfit for less than $10! (I go home and put it on my mannequin….yes, I have a mannequin!) And of course I pray and continually ask God for guidance.

Transitioning from a teen to an adult you learn tons of life lessons, what was your biggest challenge as a teen and how did you grow to overcome it?

My transition to adulthood was much like anyone else’s: confusing, stressful, and a little bumpy. The biggest challenge was transitioning from high school to college! I moved several times and to different states to go to college. I was both excited and terrified to be away from my mom (she is my best friend)! At first, as with many young adults I still acted like a teenager. I’m sure I annoyed the heck out of my roommates, Adrienne Neely and Shanna Layrock. But I quickly made friends, made numerous mistakes and most importantly: learned and grew from it all.

There’s so much pressure to have a boyfriend & be in a relationship in high school, how did you handle the pressure and stay focused on your dreams?

I, like many others, had a high school sweetheart! We dated off and on from the time we were in the 8th grade up until our first year of college. We had that “Love and Basketball” type of relationship. He was a top basketball player at my high school and of course, I was a cheerleader.  However, although I was in a relationship, I never lost focus of my true dreams and aspirations. You must remain focused on your dreams and never let anyone tell you, you can’t accomplish something. I have lived out my dream of becoming a model, dentist, motivator, and role-model. My next dream is to become ABC’s next Bachelorette, and who knows…that may just happen!

I am living out my dreams right at this very moment. I dreamed of having a loud VOICE that everyone would listen to and this opportunity has made this possible.

We all need inspiration throughout our lives, who do you look up to?

My mother, more than anyone has inspired me. She, a lady of Liberian and Lebanese descent, raised two very successful women as a single mother. She is the epitome of a “SUPER MOM”. This lady can knit, crochet, sew, make her own jelly, and is a classically trained singer. (I sure wish I had her cooking skills!) I remember being in the first grade and my mother making audio cassettes (back in the day when Walkman was the modern day iPod) of her reading books that we were assigned to read. She then sent the cassette tapes to my teacher and my teacher would give them to the children in my class who didn’t have parents that were able to spend time reading to them. It doesn’t get much better than that! Love you Mom, you are a true inspiration!

You’re an amazing woman on the rise, tell us about your future projects!

I will be joining a private practice in Tennessee with my childhood pediatric dentists, Drs. Hutton and Owens. I also plan to continue modeling, mentoring children, and become more involved in philanthropic projects. I hope to participate and support organizations that focus on empowering young women, autism awareness, and adoption. I have been so blessed to have all of my dreams come true so I hope to be able to help make other’s dreams come true as well! Being able to give is quite possibly the best gift to ever have.

We’re all about EMPOWERMENT at C.O.R.E Mag, what does empowerment mean to you?

To me, empowerment means having your voice heard, having your desires become reality, building the self-esteem of others, and DREAMING BIG!

Fun Faves!!- Food? Song? Artist? Celeb Crush?

Favorite food: Eggs! I can eat eggs all day long. No joke. Ask my mom!

Favorite Song: “By Your Side” –Sade

Favorite Artist: India Arie

Celeb Crush: NBA player, Kevin Durant

Check out more about Dr. Misee Harris!

Dr. Misee Harris

Twitter

Name: Olivia Scott

Age: 13

City: Nashville, Tennessee

Grade: 7th

What is your dream job and why?

I Want To Be A Trauma Surgeon, Because I Want To Save Lives.

Which hobbies do you enjoy?

Dancing, Hanging W. Friends, And Singing.

Who is your biggest crush?

Trey Songz

What’s your fave song to jam out to right now?

South Dallas Swag.

If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?

Animal Cruelty.

What does empowerment mean to you?

Power.

What are your plans after high school?

To Go To College And Get My Degrees, Then Go To Medical College , Then Become A Trauma Surgeon.

How have you helped someone in your life lately?

I Help My Brother Daily.

Who is your role model and why?

Beyonce , because She Has Made A Lot With Her Life .

This week I wanted to take a moment and go back to our career series. This time, we’re going to delve into the field of engineering. Because this is the field I work in, I can tell you that there are A LOT of different types of engineers who work in all types of industries. One such industry is the defense industry. It is made up of government and commercial entities that research and develop materials used by the military. Today, I’d like to introduce you to Monica McKendrick. She is an engineer who works in the defense industry. Here’s my interview with Monica:

What is your profession? I am a Systems Engineer.
What exactly do system engineers do? System Engineers focus on the overall system and how it is designed and managed over the entire life cycle.  Systems Engineering integrates all the disciplines into a team effort that proceeds from concept to production to operation.  Systems Engineers work on the business and technical side of the projects, and ensures that a quality product is delivered that meets the customers’ needs.
What made you want to get into that field?  

I wanted to go into the field of Engineering because I had a passion for Math, Science and Technology as a child.  I loved learning how to create things and the inner workings of devices.  I always longed for understanding the “why” of everything.  Engineering often goes to that level of detail in everything and that is why I love the field.

Describe your typical day.

A very basic description of my job is that I manage the entire lifecycle of products used by the military for training. This means that I am involved with everything from creating and managing the requirements used to produce software and hardware to build these training systems to helping maintain the product once it is delivered to the customer. I work very closely with those in other Engineering fields (Software, Hardware, etc.) and my typical day varies depending on what phase the project is in. Most projects follow the waterfall method, which is a sequential design process in which progress is seen flowing downward (like a waterfall).  The waterfall method consists of the following phases:
1. Requirements Gathering – During this phase SEs are working a lot with the customer to ensure that everything is defined on what the system needs to do.  This is when the requirements are written for the product and what the rest of the phases will follow to create the product.
2. System Design – During this phase, SEs work to design how the product will work. During this phase we have to keep in mind the requirements that were written to ensure we are meeting them.
3. Implementation – This is where the product is created.  SEs often work with many other Engineering disciplines during this phase (Software, Hardware, Mechanical, etc.). Our job is to ensure that the products are being built to the requirements and specifications for the product.
4. Integration and Test – This is my favorite phase! Here SEs integrate the products together (if required) and test, test, and more test! Our goal is to test every aspect of the system to ensure that it is working as it should and all requirements are met.
5. Deployment – This is the phase where we provide the product to the customer.  This often includes more testing with the customer to ensure that the product was built to their requirements.
6. Maintenance – Not all products require maintenance, but if so, this is the phase where SEs still work to ensure that any maintenance that is done still meets the customers’ needs.

Do you believe an advanced degree is necessary in your field?

No, I don’t believe an advanced degree is necessary, but I would recommend it. Engineering is a huge field, so obtaining an advanced engineering degree will allow you to focus more on a particular field.

Do you have an advanced degree? If so, how do you think it has impacted your career and the path that it has taken?

Yes, I have two advanced degrees – a Masters in Computer Science and an MBA with a concentration in management. I believe that the technical degree has helped me to gain a deeper understanding of engineering concepts, and the MBA has opened my mind to business and how things work outside of engineering. I believe the MBA will be a key to my success as I strive to make progress in my career.

Where do you see yourself professionally in ten years?

In ten years, I see myself as an Engineering Program Manager (PM).

What will you have to do to achieve this goal?

To achieve this goal, I will have to gain a better understanding of other areas, outside of Engineering, and how they contribute to the success of the entire programs.  Those areas include Finance, Sourcing, Planning, etc. This is why I believe my MBA will be so useful in achieving this goal. If different from your current profession, why are you planning to make the switch to something new? Becoming a PM is not really stepping out of the Engineering field because most PM’s are Engineers.  It does entail taking on more responsibility, working more on the business side of the program and working more closely with the customers to ensure their needs are met.  PM’s not only focus on the Engineering aspect of a project, but on EVERYTHING about the project. Their goal is to ensure that a quality product is delivered, within budget, on time, and that all requirements are met.

What personality traits do you believe are good for an engineer to possess?

A person who is detail oriented, with good communication skills, and who works well on a team could possibly make a great engineer.
Do you have any advice for a young woman who aspires to work in your field? My advice would be to just study hard, learn as much as possible about all areas of Engineering, but to become an expert in the area you want to focus on.  Engineering is still a male dominated field.  Don’t let this deter you. Women make GREAT Engineers!

If you would like more information on the field of engineering, you can contact Monica at: monica.mckendrick@gmail.com
The first step in pursuing your chosen career is to obtain the proper education for that career. For those of you who are interested in engineering, here is a list of the top ten engineering schools according to US News:

Massachusetts Institute of Technology                   Cambridge, MA
Stanford University                                                          Stanford, CA
California Institute of Technology                             Pasadena, CA
University of California – Berkeley                            Berkeley, CA
Georgia Institute of Technology                                 Atlanta, GA
University of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign           Champaign, IL
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor                        Ann Arbor, MI
Carnegie Mellon University                                          Pittsburgh, PA
Cornell University                                                             Ithaca, NY
Princeton University                                                       Princeton, NJ
(Source: http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/engineering-doctorate)

-Tiffany Vicks

Be The Change You Want To See

I know you often hear, “You can make a difference. You have a voice. You can change the world”. I’m sure you have heard this in speeches, at school, on television. You have probably heard it so much, that you tune it out when it is being said to you. Parents, speakers, politicians, and clergy say these remarks to address bullying or violence. You don’t believe them. Nobody really expects you to make a difference. They expect you to keep texting, listening to gangsta rap, playing games, bullying and fighting. On one hand, politicians are saying you are the future and how bright it can be. On the other hand, they are putting together future programs for your incarceration instead of scholarships for your college education. Local politicians love to start off speeches with talk of empowerment and finish up with how we need housing and jobs for you upon your release from prison. Well guess what? You are going to college. You are going to start working on your community services that you must have when filling out college applications. Making a difference is not going to be just a phrase you have heard over and over again. So many of you have the desire to help. It’s the not knowing how or where to begin have you doing, well, nothing. I’m going to help you get started. No more excuses. For everyone that feels insignificant, like you don’t have anything to offer, nothing could be further from the truth. The world is so messed up that it needs all the help it can get.

When meeting with children my age, I also tell them to use their voice, you can make a difference, become empowered, change the world. Just like Ms Oprah Winfrey, I really believe that you can. People listen to a young person making a speech or pay special attention to a child taking action. I was recently at an event where the discussion was civil rights. Among the guests was a teenager that stood up and asked how he could make a difference regarding racism. Kerry Kennedy (daughter of assassinated attorney general Robert Kennedy) told him that whenever someone makes a sexist or racist joke and we do not laugh or comment, we are making a difference. I never considered that no action is sometimes a large reaction. Not participating in conversatons or discussions that stereotype or mock people is a great example of passive resistance. Passive resistance is refusing to comply. Recently, I saw a great video about a young boy named Ron McNair who used passive resistance to make a huge difference. When Ron was 9 years old, he went to the whites only library to check out some books. When the librarian threaten to call the cops he patiently waited for them to arrive. All he wanted was to check out some books.

Watch the short video to find out what happened.  Ron McNair grew up and became an astronaut. He did not place limitations on his life. He knew he was destined to make change. Unfortunately Mr McNair died in the space shuttle Challenger explosion in 1986. I was in awe when my mom told me she had met Mr McNair and was friends with his father. I want young people to be like Mr McNair and have no limitations when it comes to greatness.

Although I hear a lot of activists and speakers tell young people they can make a difference, they rarely tell them how to go about it. Young people are visual. You can’t just say, “change is possible”. You have to show them the vision. My blog this month is to guide you step by step in how to make a difference . Step one is to find out what you are interested in. Here is a list of issues to help you get started. Human rights, modern day slavery, animal rights, anti violence movement, environmental conditions including global warming, civil rights, homelessness and affordable housing, saving the post offices, mental health, bullying, voter suppression laws, prison reform, gay rights, religious freedom, clean water supply, feeding the hungry, urban gardening, obesity, cancer or health awareness, rap lyrics, teenage smoking, teen pregnancy, teenage drinking and education are all causes worth fighting for or bring awareness to. Education is so vast that it can be broken down into curriculum, lunch menu, supplies, lack of art and music, and school safety. Which cause captures your interest? Recognizing where you passion lies is the biggest leap into activism.

Step two is to find people or organizations that shares your passion and interest in your cause.
Information is just a google away. Don’t have a computer. Go to the library. Don’t find an excuse to stop you from doing what you want to do. Finding an excuse is giving in to your fear. There are organizations specializing in your cause that are ready to welcome you with open arms. When I think of civil rights reforms, National Action Network and NAACP comes to mind. If you know your civil rights history you know the NAACP has been in the forefront for racial equality for a long time. The great civil rights lawyer Thurgood Marshall was a NAACP attorney. It must feel good to be a part of a historical organization that is still in the fight for racial equality. It is also a shame that after hundreds of years we still have to fight for racial equality. I belong to a civil rights organization, Rev Sharpton’s National Action Network. The National Action Network has over 47 chapters across the United States. Although I’m no longer one of the youth directors, I’m still a very dedicated member of the organization. I have been attending Rev Al Sharpton’s NYC NAN chapter since birth. Rev Sharpton is a huge supporter of youth activism. He is so different with young people than with adults. He has patient with children. He tells young people they can make a difference and gives them the platform to do so. He gives you the room to grow, make mistakes, learn and keep on going. Not many national leaders would give a 12 year old a weekly spot on a national broadcast, but Rev Sharpton gave me that huge platform. For that I’m very grateful. Whenever I need a boost to my activist spirit, I go hear Rev Sharpton speak in person. He never fails in making me feel like my voice matters. Last year he aided me in telling the world that we needed to save our post offices. All the NAN members rallied behind me, went to APWU office in Washington, and marched in the 1st National Save Our Post Offices Day. The work we did to save the post offices received national attention and helped delay some scheduled closings. Rev Sharpton attends new member orientation and you can tell him in person what you want to do to make the world a better place. Go to nationalactionnetwork.net and find a chapter near you or click on their Youth Move link. I’m just giving you some suggestions. There are many organizations for many causes. Turn on your search engines.

Once you have found an organization that supports your cause, attend meetings to see if you are comfortable and that it is a good fit. If the first organization doesn’t feel right, don’t get discouraged. Keep searching until you find the right one. It is just like church. Some puts you to sleep, and others can make you do the holy dance. You know you have found the right organization when you can’t wait to get started and ideas are just exploding inside you. The right organization will ignite your passion for your cause to a new level. If you can’t find an organization, start your own group. Ask your guidance counselor or principal for help. Pass around a flier at school stating your cause and find out how many other students share your interest. Finding a place to hold meetings can be a pain and a deterrent. Don’t give into that. Ask the principal if you can meet after school. Ask your church for space for your meetings. Write to your local politician and explain you have a civics group that needs space for meetings. Adults supports young activists. They will help you. If you don’t have a cause consider helping a charity. St Jude is my favorite. I recently held a bake sale at school for St Jude. Now when I see St Jude commercials, I don’t feel as guilty knowing I’m doing what I can to help sick but very brave children. Charities like Operation Smile, Make A Wish, St Jude and so many others are grateful for any help they can get. Everybody is significant. A lot of organizations and charities are short staffed. They love when you volunteer your time. Volunteering could lead to an internship or a paid job after college.

Step three is to get busy. Here are some tips. Use social media to spread awareness about your cause. Friend and follow people on facebook and twitter that share your cause or interest. Attend discussions and panels where your cause is the topic. Research your cause and memorize key facts. Write letters to your politicians about your cause. Hold a rally or protest to let others know you are serious about your cause. Start a petition to initiate change and spread awareness. Some popular petition sites are change.org, thepetitionsite.com, and signon.org. I along with the organization, Fairgirls.org, used social media to petition Village Voice Media to stop it’s on line sex ads that leads to 70% of child trafficking. It was an effective tool in making people aware of what this company was involved in. After doing a public service announcement against child sex trafficking, I left my position at NAN as regional director of Youth Move to become a full time advocate against child sex trafficking and human slavery. If you decide you want to fight the 2nd largest crime in the world today, visit the websites of Fairgirls.org, Polaris Project or UNICEF.

Maybe you want to start small and be in familiar territory. Check out the businesses in your neighborhood. Find a business owner that gives back to the community and volunteer your time. One of my favorite people in the world is Dennis Mitchel. He is owner of Denny Moe’s barbershop in Harlem. He is always giving back to the community and create ways for his staff and customers to also contribute. It was at his shop that a man told me he would have made different choices had he heard me speak earlier in his life. I was 10 when Mr Mitchell let me use his shop to speak out on fatherlessness. Having mentors that support and encourage you is important. My mom is responsible for making me aware of social conditions. She always take me to town hall meetings, panels, discussions, screenings and conventions. Mom feels it is a parent’s responsibility to make their children socially conscious. The first time I encountered racism was from a cab driver. Although I was only around 9 years old, I testified against the driver. That made a difference. After a $600 fine and 3 points on his license the cab driver will think twice before passing over another person of color

Sometimes you can become so angry, disgusted, livid and just outraged about a condition or cause that it is important to calm down before you do something you will regret. On February 13, a documentary called Hood of Suspicion by great film maker and civil rights advocate, Mr Keith Beauchamp, aired on the Investigation Discovery channel. Mr Beauchamp makes a difference every week with his show, The Injustice Files. He brings light to unsolved murders that are racially motivated. When Mr Beauchamp was 10 years old he read about Emmett Till. Emmett was a 14 year old boy that was brutally murdered for whistling at a white woman. Reading about Emmett Till drove Mr Beauchamp into action. He read and researched everything about Emmett Till, did a documentary, and was credited for the FBI reopening the Till murder. Mr Beauchamp is also one of the nicest people I have ever met. Watching Mr Beauchamp’s Injustice Files is what made me want to be an investigative reporter. Straight up, Mr Keith is one of my heroes. Getting back to the point I was going to make. Mom and I watched Hood of Suspicion together. She was so mad by the time it was finished that she was foaming at the mouth. The fire started coming out of her ears like Veronica in the Archie comics. She puts fresh batteries in the bullhorns, threw on a dashiki, slapped on an Afro wig and presto, Angela Davis had appeared. She gets so animated and passionate about a cause that she skips strategic planning and wants to attack. One of the benefits of being in an organization is learning about strategic planning to address social conditions. Organizations can help you map a course of action. Being angry helps you get moving. Being smart helps you get your mission accomplished. Don’t let angry or passion take focus off what needs to be done. Sometimes that is a lot easier said than done. When I talk to survivors of sex trafficking or read about infants being sexually assaulted, I want to physically do a certain act to every single male that have hurt these children. I can’t, so I have to find another way to channel that angry energy. Sometimes that means talking to my therapist or going to practice karate. Going over the edge is not going to help my mission.

Don’t feel as if you have nothing to contribute to society. I hope I have given you enough tips to pick up a cause. If you can’t find an organization or still don’t know how to get started, please contact me. Maybe you would like to help me save our post offices. On April 6th, I will be having the 2nd National Save Our Post Offices Day. The United Postal Service is drastically shutting down post offices, processing centers and 1st class mail deliveries on Saturdays. On April 6th, gather a group of supporters and demand that cuts in postal services stop. I will help you make your town’s National Save Our Post Offices Day a success.

I’m asking you to help me make this a world a better place to live. Aspiring artist, Young Dapper, is so intent on making a difference he created a video for change called, We Make The World. We owe it to the next generation to make it better like the previous generation made it better for us. Let me know what you are doing to make that happen. You can contact me on Facebook and Twitter. See you in March.

Check  out Young Dapper- Remake the World

-Victoria Pannell