All around the world we are seeing the youth engage in major social, economic, and political movements. Even in dark times they continuously fight for what they believe in. I have always been socially and politically aware, but I never had the courage to go against the grain and truly fight for those things. When I was in grade school truth be told I never knew anyone my age who was an activist. They simply didn't exist where I grew up, so in my mind I never knew that there was young people out there fighting for a great cause. Now I admire the young people behind me. They are strong, resilient, and so much more!
Here are 10 Young activist that have inspired me, who I believe will inspire you as well.
- Nupol Kiazolu
Nupol Kiazolu is everything we need in an activist and a leader. She is the oldest of six siblings, raised by a single mother in one of the poorest cities in Brooklyn. She survived her father being killed, sexual abuse, and homelessness which pushed her in the direction of activism. When she was 13 years old she held her very first protest in response to the murder of Trayvon Martin. At the age of 18 she was named the president of the youth coalition for Black lives matter of Greater New York. Nupol is currently the founder and CEO of Vote 2000, which engages and informs gen z to vote and the power of the ballot. Nupol is also one of teen vogues 21 under 21. Nupol’s hopes are to change how the country views racism as well as run for president in the future. Go Nupol! With that mindset and drive it is definitely possible.
2. Zaya Wade
Zaya is known around the world as Dawayne Wades daughter, but to the young LGBTQ community she is known as a superhero. It took courage for her to announce to the world that she identifies as transgrender but with the support of her parents and siblings she was able to tell her story. Her advice to others afraid of the judgement is “Don’t even think about that. Just be true to yourself because what’s the point of being on this Earth” Continue inspiring the next generation Zaya, we are cheering you on!
3. Nimo Omar
Nimo was 15 years old when she was arrested and separated from her brother on her way back to the united states by Ethiopian border patrol. She spent three days in prison with other women, listening to their experiences and stories of them traveling through the deserts of East Africa trying to escape the corruption in their country. When Nimo arrived back in the states she was able to recognize that the poverty and corruption here in America is very similar to what is happening back in East Africa. Since then she co founded the Atwood center in Minneapolis to help other immigrant East Africans.
4. Tay Anderson
In his hometown, Denver Colorado lie a serious problem in his school district. Due to low test scores and low enrollment rates many schools including his own high school were under threat of shutting down and relocating. Tay could not stand for his district displacing thousands of students, so he ran and became the youngest school board chair member in Colorado. Tay is aware that in schools where more children of color are enrolled there is a lack of diversity in the teachers. His goals as chair member is to encourage more diversity and to close the test score gap between white and black students.
5. Yara Shahidi
Yara Shahidi is an American actress and model, best known for her roles on the hit television show Blackish. Among her generation she is known as an activist for feminism and raising STEM awareness. In high school she started Yara’s Club, a partnership with Young Women’s Leadership Network which provides online mentorship with the goal of ending poverty through education. In 2018 she also launched Eighteen x 18 a national initiative that encourages civic engagement and voting from young people. On top of all her success she is currently enrolled in Harvard University supported by our very own former first lady Michelle Obama who gave her a recommendation commending her efforts to effect social change.
6. Asean Johnson
Education is something that isn’t always given to us, oftentimes for blacks and minorities it is taken away. Asean was nine years old when he and his classmates noticed schools all around his city Chicago closing. When his elementary school was next in line he did what others never have the courage to do. He went directly to city hall and the Chicago Board of education to challenge them. AJ was inspired to give his speech at the March for Education Justice in 2013. Asean successfully prevented four schools in his community from closing. A few years later Asean made headlines again speaking out against gun violence in Washington DC at a public education and social justice rally. Now Asean is in high school and he still continues to fight for education and racial equality.
7. Marley Dias
As a ten year old girl one of Marley’s favorite things to do is read. But she noticed in most of her books it was only about white children. She wanted to see more black representation in her children’s books so she started the #1000blackgirlbooks campaign with the hopes to donate those books to schools and libraries. Marley’s campaign ended up totaling over 11,000 books which she ended up donating. Today Marley is the proud author of “Marley Dias Gets It Done:And So Can You”. Marley is still encouraging other children to get involved in activism and to keep reading.
8. Jaden Smith
The US rapper started fighting for our climate as a teenager when he found a plastic bottle in the ocean while he was surfing. Seeing a plastic bottle in the ocean sparked his journey into learning about the environment and how we can help it. Since then he helped start Just Water, a company that sells drinking water in bottles made of paper and plant based plastics and The Water Box, which cleans the water in the city of Flint, Michigan. You can find more of Jaden in “Brave Blue World” a documentary that paints an optimistic picture of how humanity is adopting new technologies and innovations that reshape how we manage water.
9. Mari Copeny
Mari Copeny was only eight years old when she wrote a letter to Barack Obama about the water crisis in her hometown Flint Michigan. Young Mari didn’t expect him to see her letter, but when he wrote back and came for a visit that was the start of her career as an activist. She held water bottle drives and helped shed a light on what was going on in Flint. Because of her drive Mari was able to get the city to replace some of their water pipes, but Mari is still fighting for clean drinking water in her city Flint, Michigan. Mari has recently partnered with kidbox to help distribute boxes of clothes and school supplies to those in need. In 2044 Mari plans on running for president.
10. Isra Hirsi
Isra became involved in activism when she joined the environmental club her freshman year of high school. She realized while in the environmental club that she was the only person of color. As a young Muslim women Isra began promoting diversity within the climate justice movement. As a climate and racial justice advocate Isra co founded US Youth Climate Strike, and organized many strikes across the nation. Isra went on to win a Brower Youth Award for her climate activism.
Hopefully you are feeling inspired to go out and change the world! What are some ways that you could help contribute to a greater cause. Whether it is recycling that plastic bottle, or even just showing someone a little more kindness just remember one action can make a huge difference.
