Raising A Changemaker
Do you know what a Changemaker is?
By definition, a Changemaker “is someone who imagines a new reality, takes action, and collaborates with others to bring that new reality into being for the good of others.”
These are some pretty bold and giant steps. Well, T-Mobile, the T-Mobile Foundation, and Ashoka have awarded 15 youth-led projects that showcase everything that it means to be a Changemaker.
The youth innovators attending the Changemaker Challenge Lab at T-Mobile's Bellevue, Washington headquarters.
As it reads in their press release:
T-Mobile, the T-Mobile Foundation, and Ashoka are excited to announce the 15 winning teams for the 2022 T-Mobile Changemaker Challenge. This nationwide contest gives young leaders between the ages of 13 to 18 the opportunity to build on their powerful ideas for how to change the world for the betterment of all. Each team receives mentorship, networking opportunities, an all-expense-paid trip to T-Mobile's headquarters in Bellevue Washington for a three-day Changemaker Lab, and seed funding.
The common theme in each project was a solution to a problem and ensuring that every team has support to make that problem-solving impact.
One of the Changemakers is Sri Nihal Tammana. Sri is in 7th grade, Founder of Recycle My Battery, a TedX speaker and so much more! Sri has been supported by his family, and inspired by seeing the word ‘Founder’ next to his father’s name. Sri recognized a new possibility for his life. While he may have been perceived as too young to go after an ambitious goal, Sri persisted anyway. Sir founded Recycle My Battery, in partnership with his cousin Jashmitha Sappa, with the idea to reduce the environmental impact of batteries by creating recycling bins in public spaces.
There’s also Books N Bros (fun fact: the founder is my son!). Books N Bros was started by Sidney Keys III. The moment that Sidney was ignited to be a Changemaker was the moment he recognized the lack of African American representation in books and wanted to shine a positive light on that. Additionally, many assume Black boys don’t read. Sidney excitedly created a subscription box as the model for Books N Bros to be distributed nationwide — shifting the narrative of an untrue stereotype that Black boys don’t read. Sidney has been using this as a form of social justice since 2016 and is motivated to continue his mission. He’s recognized as a public speaker, literary activist and even a MARVEL Hero (look up The Spectacular Sidney on Disney+).
Sidney Keys III (left), Winnie Elizabeth (center) and Mikey Wren, the St. Louis Books N Bros host (right)
The bravery to go after this calling was inspired by Sidney watching me, his mom, fearlessly advocate for myself, host my own blog to highlight entrepreneurs and so much more. Essentially, he witnessed his mother taking action, and collaborating with others to bring that new reality into being for the good of others. Remember that phrase? That’s the definition of a Changemaker.
But what do parents actually need to do to effectively raise a Changemaker?
Thanks to the great presentation from Hector with Ashoka, we’ve learned that this is called, The New Framework Elements.
This is categorized as the following:
New Leadership
Shifting a leader's role to ensure that every player is an initiator and sees the big picture.
Practicing Changemaking
The process of creating a novel solution to a social problem that is more effective, efficient, sustainable, and just than existing solutions and for which the value created accrues primarily to society as a whole rather than private individuals.
Conscious Empathy
The ability to be aware of and understand our own and others perspectives, and to use that understanding to recognize patterns over time and guide one's actions to contribute to the good of all.
Collaborative Teamwork
The ability to contribute to and thrive in a fluid ecosystem or teams that mobilize around a problem or opportunity.
As a parent of a Changemaker, I am extremely proud but I also don’t know it all. Being a parent of someone who is so forward -thinking requires me to be more fluid and open minded and that has evolved over time.
I’m reminded of a question I asked Sidney when he first had the aha moment I asked him, “After going viral on social media for simply reading a book about a boy who looks like you, I ask you this — do you want 15 minutes of fame on social media? Or do you want to do something about it?” And like the other Changemakers we’ve met on this trip, Sidney did something.
