2023.03 -- US Storybook 2022 updated 4.14 - Flipbook - Page 30
community leader can have. To me, a community leader is a person that does not try to fix
all of the community problems but collaborates with community members to think of ways
to strengthen, and better the people and community as a whole. Actually caring about the
wellbeing of the kids and their community empowers youth to know that we are here for them
and their success.
WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO IMPART UPON THE YOUNG PEOPLE YOU WORK WITH?
I hope that I can impact the lives of young people by showing them that they have a whole life
ahead of them and that if they want something they have to go out and stick their minds to
something they are able to accomplish.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR YOUNGER, PEACEPLAYER PARTICIPANT SELF?
I would tell myself to not be afraid to try new things, to take risks, and to be comfortable with
being uncomfortable. Being able to attend college and interact with people from different
backgrounds has given me a chance to step out of my comfort zone and learn more about
myself. For instance, living on campus in the dorms was a way for me to meet and network
with people from all around the country and put myself out there. College was an experience I
will not take for granted because it helped me develop into the person that I am today.
IN PEACEPLAYERS U.S., THERE IS MORE OF A FOCUS ON EQUITY THAN IN SOME OF THE
OTHER PEACEPLAYERS SITES. DO YOU THINK THERE IS SOMETHING YOU CAN BRING TO THE
DETROIT CONTEXT IN THAT REGARD?
Working with PeacePlayers Detroit, sharing equal opportunities to all participants is a big
focus for us. We want participants to experience things they have never experienced and learn
the importance of working with individuals from different backgrounds. Some experiences
we have provided were taking the youth to sit courtside at a Pistons game, interact with
other youth on the other side of the city, and even participate in a debate seminar. These
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PEACEPLAYERS UNITED STATES STORYBOOK