Real Change, Real Heroes: 2025 Gloria Barron Prize Winners

Join host in spotlighting three inspiring young leaders recognized by the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes. Meet Vivian Liu, Srihan Sankepalle, and Anisha Dhoot as they share their innovative projects. From art-based mental health support and microplastic solutions to sustainable agriculture, these changemakers prove that young people have the power to change the world. Discover how small ideas can create big change, the importance of accessible solutions, and the power of youth-driven impact on global challenges like climate change and environmental conservation. Empowered and motivated, these young heroes prove that age is no barrier to making a difference.Learn more about NYLC at ⁠⁠nylc.org⁠⁠!Follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠, ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠!Register for the ⁠⁠Youth Leadership Summit⁠⁠!

Join us as we celebrate the inspiring stories of the 2025 Gloria Baron Prize for Young Heroes—Aadi Kulkarni, Matthew Vila, and Alaina Zhang. These remarkable young leaders are making a tangible difference in their communities through innovative initiatives focused on digital literacy, music therapy, and environmental advocacy. In this episode, they share their journeys, emphasizing the importance of believing in your cause, the power of collaboration, and taking action without needing formal qualifications. From bridging the digital divide to promoting environmental sustainability, their stories demonstrate how youth can drive meaningful social change. Whether you're an aspiring change-maker or simply inspired by young leaders making a difference, this episode offers valuable lessons on resilience, impact, and the future of youth-led advocacy. Tune in to be inspired by the next generation of community heroes shaping a better world!Learn more about NYLC at ⁠⁠nylc.org⁠⁠!Follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠, ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠!Register for the ⁠⁠Youth Leadership Summit⁠⁠!

In this week’s episode, we dive into the importance of youth empowerment and resilience, emphasizing that meaningful transformation begins at the grassroots level. Featuring insights from Janiyah Lockwood, the founder of Lake Michigan Roots, we learn how young people from Gary, despite being overlooked and underestimated, are standing up, leading, and driving change. Janiyah’s story reminds us that meaningful transformation starts small and that every young person’s voice and resilience can shape a brighter future. Join us to discover why your voice matters, how resilience fuels growth, and why you are not your environment.Learn more about NYLC at ⁠nylc.org⁠!Follow us on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠LinkedIn⁠, and ⁠Threads⁠!Register for the ⁠Youth Leadership Summit⁠!

Join host Amy Meuers in celebrating women in business with youth leader and gender equity advocate Naina Raju, a member of NYLC’s Youth Advisory Council. Inspired by her research essay, “Women CEOs: Still a Unicorn? Takeaways for the Next Generation,” Naina dives into the challenges women face in leadership, the importance of mentorship, and how young voices can help bridge the gender gap at the top.Discover stories of perseverance and empowerment, learn actionable ways to support aspiring women leaders, and explore how community and mentorship can turn rare “unicorns” into the norm. Tune in to be inspired and see how small actions can spark lasting change.Learn more about NYLC at nylc.org!Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Threads!Register for the Youth Leadership Summit!

Discover the inspiring journey of Nora Pearson, a high school junior and founder of Roots and Grounds, a nonprofit dedicated to connecting youth and seniors through hands-on plant propagation workshops. In this episode of The Power of Young People, Nora discusses how intergenerational programming helps bridge the gap between generations, fosters community bonds, and promotes mutual learning. She shares how her experiences in Girl Scouts motivated her to create meaningful connections with seniors, and offers valuable insights on balancing nonprofit leadership with school life. Tune in to learn how plants serve as a creative medium for relationship-building, the importance of mentorship, and practical advice for young changemakers eager to make a positive social impact.Learn more about NYLC at nylc.org!Follow us on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠LinkedIn⁠, and ⁠Threads⁠!Enter the Write Strong, Drive Safe Essay Contest!

Join us as we sit down with Sharonda Allen, an inspiring adult leader and founder of Operation Grow—a 2025 Youth as Solutions® 9/11 Day Team and an innovative youth-led initiative in East Orange, NJ dedicated to addressing food deserts through sustainable agriculture and community empowerment. Sharonda shares her journey of creating spaces where young people’s voices can be heard, emphasizing the importance of education, mentorship, and empathy in fostering leadership. She discusses how systemic issues like food insecurity are connected to broader historical contexts and highlights the transformative power of youth engagement. Tune in to learn how Operation Grow is inspiring the next generation of changemakers and demonstrating that with guidance and compassion, young leaders can create lasting community impact.Learn more about NYLC at ⁠⁠⁠nylc.org⁠⁠⁠!Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠!

Tune into this episode featuring 17-year-old youth leader Anshul Nadendla, as he shares his inspiring journey of driving social impact through youth initiatives like YES, Youth Global, and NICE. Discover how empathy, resilience, and a global mindset empower young leaders to foster community engagement, bridge cultural divides, and champion youth voices on the international stage. Perfect for aspiring youth changemakers, this conversation highlights the importance of small wins, passion-driven leadership, and the power of youth collaboration to create meaningful global change.Learn more about NYLC at ⁠⁠nylc.org⁠⁠!Follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠, ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠!

In this special episode, we honor 9/11 Day by reflecting on the enduring values of service, compassion, and community connection. We sit down with Raymond Cardona and his mentor Lori Patton from Youth Revive’s Ignite Me Youth Team to discuss how young leaders are making a difference in Dallas by tackling homelessness through empathy and action. They share powerful insights on peacemaking, the importance of recognizing shared humanity, and how youth-led initiatives can spark real social change. This conversation highlights the impact of small acts of kindness, the necessity of community involvement, and the vital role of nurturing youth leadership for a more compassionate society. Whether you're interested in community service, social impact, or empowering young people, this episode offers inspiration and practical ideas to engage and uplift your community. Join us as we celebrate the spirit of service and explore how collective efforts and youth empowerment can create a brighter, more unified future!Learn more about NYLC at nylc.org!Follow us on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠LinkedIn⁠, and ⁠Threads⁠!

In this week's episode of The Power of Young People, we sit down with Nethanya Fonseka, a passionate young environmental leader and founder of Plant It Forward. Inspired by Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax, Nethanya shares her journey into youth-led activism, highlighting projects like creating a micro forest in Warren, Michigan, and establishing a Native American Honor Garden to honor Indigenous heritage and promote environmental justice. They explore the vital role of community engagement, science, and innovation in tackling climate change, emphasizing that optimism and collaboration are key to building a sustainable future. Join us to discover how young leaders are making a meaningful impact and how everyone, regardless of age, can contribute to a healthier planet.Learn more about NYLC at ⁠nylc.org⁠!Follow us on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠LinkedIn⁠, and ⁠Threads⁠!

Join host Amy Meuers as she sits down with inspiring young leaders Natalie and Madelyn, members of NYLC’s Youth Advisory Council, to explore their journeys in youth advocacy. They share powerful personal stories that have shaped their passions, focusing on critical issues such as financial literacy, eating disorder prevention, and digital wellbeing. Through their experiences, they highlight the importance of storytelling and public speaking as tools to inspire change and connect with diverse audiences. Their stories serve as a reminder of the incredible potential young people have to lead, advocate, and create meaningful impact. Tune in for motivating insights and empowering messages that encourage young listeners to embrace their unique voices and take action in their communities.Learn more about NYLC at nylc.org!Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Threads!