Today is a very special episode because it will be the first panel discussion that I’ve hosted with three inspiring guests. It’s also the first time that I’m speaking with leaders and change makers who are a little over half my age. 

It’s incredibly humbling to see the progress, tenacity and perseverance that these young activists exemplify, and I know you’ll find inspiration in their journeys and work too. 

But first, to give a little backstory

The Brower Youth Awards is an annual contest from The New Leaders Initiative which provides programs that honor, support, and sustain young environmental leaders. The contest has recognized outstanding youth leaders in the environmental movement for more than 20 years and each year, six young people based in North America are awarded the prize. The winners for 2020 will join a growing movement of young awardees recognized for their sustainability projects, innovative ideas, and excellent leadership.

For this episode I was grateful to be able to speak to 3 of the 6 winners Dannielle Boyer, Alexandra Collins, and Diego Arreola Fernadez, to explore, not only the work and success that they’ve found, but also to try and understand the obstacles they’ve overcome and the support they’ve had along the way. The idea was to get a sense of what all of us can do to foster and assist the young leaders of tomorrow on their path towards a brighter future. 

All three of them have incredible backstories and long lists of accomplishments which we touch on briefly in their introductions, but I’d highly recommend that you read in full in the longer bios that I’ve posted in the show notes for this episode. There you’ll also find links to their websites and ways that you can support them directly and learn more about the Brower Youth Awards as well. I’ve also posted bios of the other three winners who weren't able to join us on the call but are just as deserving of their titles as activists and leaders. 

Be sure to stay tuned until the end where the panelists give their advice to other young people who may be doubting their ability to make change or have an impact. This may be something you want to pass on to your children, nieces and nephews, or young community members who you see potential in and could benefit from hearing these inspiring messages from people their own age. 

Resources:

http://www.broweryouthawards.org/awards-ceremony/

Bios of the guests:

Danielle Boyer

https://www.steamconnection.org/

https://twitter.com/steamconnection

After teaching her first kindergarten science class at age 10 in Troy, Michigan, Ojibwe youth Danielle Boyer became acutely aware of how disparate access to quality STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) education among low-income students disadvantages them and impacts the future of our Earth. She’s been working to increase STEAM education accessibility and affordability ever since through innovative programs that promote technical competency and develop a tangible love for our Earth. In January 2019, Danielle founded her own educational organization, The STEAM Connection, to further this cause.

The STEAM Connection prioritizes work with communities of color, particularly Indigenous communities, providing free classes and events on recycling, innovation, and sustainable design. By making engineering and environmental education more widely available, Danielle is helping children realize their true potential as environmental innovators and simultaneously garner int...