The Social Impact Heroes of Social Media: Andrea Bazemore is helping school districts, teachers…

The Social Impact Heroes of Social Media: Andrea Bazemore is helping school districts, teachers, and leaders teach diversity and social justice in ways they can directly apply in their classroom setting

Don’t doubt, just do- There have been so many times where I have second guess myself and said, “Am I really doing the right thing?” That doubt has sometimes led me to not posting something or waiting until I could muster up the courage to possibly confront negative feedback. Just put it out there, yes there might be criticism and controversy from people who don’t agree with you, but in the end, by not putting it out there you are sacrificing yourself and your goals.

As a part of my series about social media stars who are using their platform to make a significant social impact, I had the pleasure of interviewing Andrea Bazemore, a diversity and social justice educational consultant. She also writes curriculum for kindergarten through fifth grade with an emphasis on social justice, diversity, and rigor. In addition, her company Diverse Kids Read strives to bring gently used books with people of color and diversity to Title I students.

Thank you so much for doing this with us! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?

My first year as a teacher, I felt completely lost on how to connect with my kids. Every week it seemed like I was trying out a new teaching strategy and failing epically. I kept teaching in ways that I knew weren’t connecting to my students and was inauthentic to myself.

One day, I heard a kid rapping, he was saying inappropriate things, but I didn’t focus on that, I focused on the fact that he could remember the content of the lyrics. I finally realized that was my gateway to connect with students; we had a shared interest.

I was always fascinated with hip-hop and loved rap music. I also knew I was good at parodying songs (a skill no one knew I had), so I decided to merge both of my loves and give it a try. The first rap I did was about merging poetry and hip-hop over the Fresh Prince Beat. My kids loved it! Their engagement changed overnight. Then I thought, what would happen if I did this with multiplication, again I saw a transformation. By the end of the year, I could see dramatically improved results in my classroom.

My second-year teaching, I thought about other ways I could not only infuse hip-hop, but themes of social justice in my classroom. We started to have discussions of race, justice, immigration, allyship, and LGBTQ topics. By the end of the year, my class soared in academics and I thought, if I could do this, I know other people could too.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began this career?

Since I’ve documented my journey of teaching practical tips for teaching diversity and social justice in classrooms, I’ve been surprised by how many teachers were like me, desperately wanting social justice and diversity techniques to implement in their classroom but unsure how to do so. I’ve loved with connecting with teachers and educators, some internationally, to collaborate. It’s been amazing!

Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

The first time I did a professional development, I did a rap that I was doing for my students. I was so nervous and was TOTALLY off beat. I had to stop it because I was so bad (it was my Adele moment). However, my audience was gracious and let me start over. It allowed me to understand that yes, I can make mistakes even as a presenter and that vulnerability is great. It shows people that you are human and that you don’t have to be perfect to make an impact.

Ok super. Let’s now jump to the core focus of our interview. Can you describe to our readers how you are using your platform to make a significant social impact?

My platform is called The Black Apple, and I help school districts, teachers, and leaders teach diversity and social justice in ways they can directly apply to their classroom setting. I connect with teachers and stakeholders across the country and utilize my platform to give practical advice on how to concretely teach diversity and social justice.

Wow! Can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted by this cause?

My favorite story is about a teacher who saw me on another platform and immediately contacted me through Instagram. We talked and she told me about how her story connected to mine and how she felt so inspired by my story. She told me about how she cried because she finally didn’t feel alone and for the first time, felt validated in her feelings. It’s moments like that that make me proud to be doing what I do.

Was there a tipping point the made you decide to focus on this particular area? Can you share a story about that?

In my third year of teaching, I decided to focus on teaching social justice in a kindergarten setting. Most things that I was seeing on Instagram, Pinterest, and even podcasts didn’t tackle the heart of social justice and especially didn’t do it in a kindergarten setting. So instead, I decided to try it out in my classroom and also document it. I was so shocked when teaching from a social justice perspective not only worked as far as academics, but also allowed students to have a better sense of self. I knew I had something special.

Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?

1st- In the teaching community, we have a tendency to think, “If I just put up images of seemingly diverse images in my classroom, I’m good on my diversity quota.” However, that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Diversity has to be a constant and conscious decision that you make every day. One diversity day, conversation, or a single Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day will not suffice, especially in our schools that have are segregated and divisive.

2nd- Allow your students to have mirrors, in order to see themselves reflected in your school community. This means bringing speakers that can talk about their culture, validate students by reading or talking about diverse literature on a daily or weekly basis, and integrating culture into standards.

3rd- Allow your students to have windows, in order to see other cultures and respect them. This means you have to be gutsy and ask yourself the honest questions, “Who isn’t being represented in my curriculum or in my classroom?”, “How am I marginalizing a group of people or a person’s experience?”, and “What is it going to take so that I am equitable in my classroom instruction for populations that aren’t represented?”

What specific strategies have you been using to promote and advance this cause? Can you recommend any good tips for people who want to follow your lead and use their social platform for a social good?

I love connecting with teachers who are interested in my work. A good phone call, direct message, or even comment thread is what I love to see. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve skyped with teachers around the world and how empowered I am after I hear from them.

If you want to use your social platform for good, be as authentic to yourself and as vulnerable to your audience as possible. People want and like realness, especially in a world that has so many people faking their experience. Be different, be real.

What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why? Please share a story or example for each.

1) Tell your family what you’re doing, but don’t ask for approval-

When I first started my journey, I talked about some difficult things that I was facing and put it up on Facebook. Well, my mom’s friends started contacting her and she flipped! In hindsight, I should have reached out to my mom and talked about what I was doing, just to give her a heads up. But the reality is, I’m a grown woman and I can make my own decisions. So, this heads up isn’t asking for permission, but respecting her as a human and as my mother to let her know what’s going on.

2) Do your social media research-

Figure out what trends are going on and what’s new in social media. By planning for new features, it can help you help you boost your social platform and elevate your user experience.

3) Use a social scheduler-

Planning and using a social media scheduler will save you a lot of time (and headaches). Utilizing this tool will free up time for you and allow you to concentrate on creating more content and growing your business.

4) Get out there-

Social media is great and it can really grow and expand your business expontentialy, but don’t forget the art of being able to talk in-person to others. I’ve gained so much from leveraging both and it’s amazing how much leveraging your connections can help you down the road.

5) Don’t doubt, just do- There have been so many times where I have second guess myself and said, “Am I really doing the right thing?” That doubt has sometimes led me to not posting something or waiting until I could muster up the courage to possibly confront negative feedback. Just put it out there, yes there might be criticism and controversy from people who don’t agree with you, but in the end, by not puttiing it out there you are sacrificing yourself and your goals.

You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂

My movement would be my curriculum being utilized in elementary schools all around the globe in order to connect with their students in a way that is organic and meaningful to their school population.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

“You guys know about vampires? . . . You know, vampires have no reflections in a mirror? There’s this idea that monsters don’t have reflections in a mirror. And what I’ve always thought isn’t that monsters don’t have reflections in a mirror. It’s that if you want to make a human being into a monster, deny them, at the cultural level, any reflection of themselves. And growing up, I felt like a monster in some ways. I didn’t see myself reflected at all. I was like, “Yo is something wrong with me? That the whole society seems to think that people like me don’t exist?” And part of what inspired me, was this deep desire that before I died, I would make a couple of mirrors. That I would make some mirrors so that kids like me might see themselves reflected back and might not feel so monstrous for it.”-Issa Rae, Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl

When I heard this quote, I was on a long car drive and I almost pulled over. It was my Oprah “Ah ha” moment. This is why I teach. I wanted to create mirrors and, in my classroom, especially because 90% of my class looked like me. It made me realize that this is what I want to do, and this is how I wanted to change the world for kids.

Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂

I would love to have brunch with Brittany Packett! I love her platform and how she is inspiring other educators/activists with her platform!

How can our readers follow you on social media?

@blackapple4ed (Twitter and IG) and The Black Apple on Facebook

This was very meaningful, thank you so much!


The Social Impact Heroes of Social Media: Andrea Bazemore is helping school districts, teachers… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

The Social Impact Heroes of Social Media: Jacquelyn Son & Clara Coelho are empowering people to…

The Social Impact Heroes of Social Media: Jacquelyn Son & Clara Coelho are empowering people to leave their dreaded 9–5 jobs to start their own business

Just Go For It. I’m sure I can say this for most entrepreneurs, but we always wished that we had started sooner. There were so many insecurities that were holding us back, but we quickly realized that fear is really just fear until you deal with it head on. If you have a project that you want to start, JUST GO FOR IT! You never know until you give it a try. It does not matter if you realize you hate it, or it was not successful. You’ll learn so much along the way for your next adventure!

As a part of my series about social media stars who are using their platform to make a significant social impact, I had the pleasure of interviewing Jacquelyn Son and Clara Coelho. Jacquelyn & Clara are co-hosts of the top-rated entrepreneur podcast: Glow Radio. Glow Radio is a podcast for the sassiest of b*tches who are looking to dump their 9–5 for that #entrepreneur life. You can expect weekly conversations with unapologetic creatives, business owners and influencers. They discuss tips on how to reach your goals, manage your time and keep your sanity while being a major boss babe. Jacquelyn & Clara are your favourite hype women who will cheer you on and push you to create the life that you want.

Thank you so much for doing this with us! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?

We are both die-hard health and wellness advocates and bonded through fitness. It really set the foundation to our partnership. The gym became a place for us to discuss our ideas and discover our entrepreneurial spirits.

The podcast life definitely chose us! We knew that we were personable and absolutely loved the idea of meeting new people and sharing our ideas to the world. There were a few other business ideas that we had, but we ultimately chose to start the podcast, as it was the easiest to manage and didn’t require a lot of capital while we still worked at our day jobs. At the time, we did not know that this was going to be our career. However, a few months in after the birth of Glow Radio, we knew that this is what we were meant to do. We ended up quitting our 9–5s and pursuing this full-time.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began this career?

Both of us are pretty confident at public speaking so we have no problem speaking in front of a large crowd. However, in the beginning when we first started bringing guests onto the podcast, we were actually SO nervous. We were especially nervous when interviewing guests that were out of town and who were very influential people that we admired a lot. It’s funny because listening back to those interviews, we weren’t really ourselves and would stutter over our words. Now, we’ve become a lot more confident and comfortable — but there are definitely still times where we get a little anxious! We are human afterall.

Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

When we invited our first guest, we had prepared what we had thought were “a lot” of questions. The entire interview ended up being only about 15–20 minutes long and we had to scramble to figure out what to say or how to end it. We were super nervous and really stuck to the script rather than engaging in a free flowing conversation with our guest.

The biggest lesson we learned from that was to just relax and let the questions be a guide rather than a strict script. Yes, some episodes aren’t going to be that long, but that is the beauty of it!

Ok super. Let’s now jump to the core focus of our interview. Can you describe to our readers how you are using your platform to make a significant social impact?

Our mission is to empower all current & aspiring entrepreneurs to build successful businesses without sacrificing their health or happiness. There is no dream too big or too ‘unrealistic’ to reach. Helping our audience achieve HUGE goals is extremely important to us and we firmly believe that EVERYONE can create the life that they want.

On Glow Radio, we provide tools and resources for listeners to either leave their dreaded 9–5 jobs to start their own business or to further grow their existing brand. It was extremely painful for us to be stuck in our day jobs that we loathed, especially when we knew we were meant for something more.

Since discovering our own paths, we hope to inspire everyone around us to wake up with passion in the mornings to do meaningful work that they love. You deserve to live your best life!

Wow! Can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted by this cause?

Since we started Glow Radio, we have taken on the role as everyone’s favourite hype women. We will go to great lengths to encourage anyone who needs a boost. There is absolutely no one we wouldn’t help! Fortunately that had paid off first in our circle of friends. We definitely saw a huge impact on a couple of our close friends who are now working on building their own businesses and turning their passion into their full time commitment. One of them has started a business on Amazon and another is pursuing their goal as a spiritual healer.

Was there a tipping point the made you decide to focus on this particular area? Can you share a story about that?

We started our podcast with just casual ‘girl talk’ without giving much thought to a theme. However, as we grew the podcast, we realized that our guests were individuals who were driven entrepreneurs with inspiring stories. That is when we discovered that we were meant to deliver these messages to all aspiring entrepreneurs to guide and help them to their goals.

We both had started as two girls with full time office jobs who just wanted to break free and do something meaningful. This podcast has given us the opportunity to make a living by doing what we love, inviting others to join our journey and growing an empowering community.

Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?

The root of the problem is that people do not fully understand what they are capable of and are afraid to dream big. People often do not reach their full potential in life because fear is holding them back. Here are some ways that the community/society/politicians can help address these issues.

  1. Empowering Initiatives — brands and companies in our society can help more people realize that they are capable of achieving their dreams by launching campaigns showing regular everyday people reaching big goals. This can give encouragement to any aspiring entrepreneurs who are afraid of taking that first step to start their business.
  2. Educate Leaders — offer self-development courses or workshops to leaders in our society to help them improve their mindset and skills. Leaders can include anyone from teachers, parents, managers, etc. This can help them continue to mentor others to become successful individuals in our community.
  3. Entrepreneurship Courses — it would be awesome if a variety of entrepreneurship courses were available to students in school starting at a young age. We find that many people around us do not even think about entrepreneurship because they were not taught this as an option.

What specific strategies have you been using to promote and advance this cause? Can you recommend any good tips for people who want to follow your lead and use their social platform for a social good?

Networking is a main strategy that has been working well for us. In the beginning, we asked our friends and existing relationships to introduce us to like-minded individuals to collaborate. One connection eventually led to another and to this day, we continue to meet many awesome entrepreneurs through networking. We also make an effort to attend events that relate to our niche and meet others in-person. Building these genuine and supportive relationships has increased our word of mouth and helped grow our podcast. We discuss our specific networking tips in episode 30 on Glow Radio!

What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why? Please share a story or example for each.

  1. Just Go For It
    I’m sure I can say this for most entrepreneurs, but we always wished that we had started sooner. There were so many insecurities that were holding us back, but we quickly realized that fear is really just fear until you deal with it head on. If you have a project that you want to start, JUST GO FOR IT! You never know until you give it a try. It does not matter if you realize you hate it, or it was not successful. You’ll learn so much along the way for your next adventure!
  2. Working Backwards
    Set your target, no matter how “unrealistic” it may seem to you right now. Then you want to work backwards until your starting point. You will realize that the path is not so crazy and you will have a solid growth plan that you can refer to and make adjustments along the way.
  3. Self Love Is Important
    Running your own business is no easy feat! Make sure you schedule in time for self-care. It is so easy to feel like you need to be working every second of every day, but that’s only going to cause you more harm than good. There are days where we will meet up and just not have any energy to even think about what we need to do. That’s when we know we have to take the next day off to recharge.
  4. Niche It Out
    Don’t be afraid to get specific with your business! Trying to appease everyone means you are targeting no one. Be honest with yourself and get really detailed to as what kind of audience you want impact.
  5. Failing & Mistakes
    Making mistakes or failing is inevitable. If neither of these things happen, then you are playing it too safe. We’ve taken jobs and agreed to events that we have never done before, and yes it was a huge risk, but we never regret a single thing!

You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂

We are currently developing an online course teaching others how to start a podcast. It would be amazing to inspire a movement of many people launching podcasts that offer empowering topics to millions, if not billions of listeners around the world.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

“If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, again.” ― Thomas H. Palmer

This quote speaks to us a lot because we are serial entrepreneurs who aren’t afraid of making mistakes. We’ve had multiple ‘failed’ businesses in the past, but we aren’t failures. They were all learning experiences and brought us to where we are now. Whenever we feel discouraged, this quote reminds us to keep trying another method until we succeed.

Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂

We would love to have a breakfast/lunch with Oprah! She is, no doubt, one of the most influential figures who empower people around the world. It would be amazing to be in her presence and learn from her.

How can our readers follow you on social media?

Yes for sure! You can find us on Instagram @GlowRadioCo, Facebook.com/GlowRadioCo and subscribe to Glow Radio on iTunes, Spotify and Youtube.

This was very meaningful, thank you so much!


The Social Impact Heroes of Social Media: Jacquelyn Son & Clara Coelho are empowering people to… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

The Social Impact Heroes of Social Media: Katina Mountanos is helping millennials to figure out how

The Social Impact Heroes of Social Media: Katina Mountanos is helping millennials to figure out how to navigate adulthood in a conscious, happy way

I get dozens of messages and notes each day from amazing individuals around the world who are inspired to be more conscious, awake — and even grateful — for their lives and their ability to make change. One of the most gratifying pieces of this work for me is when I get to meet the On Adulting community in person. It always amazes me how driven, inspiring and all around cool these women (and men!) are. One of my favorite experiences was when I held an On Adulting meet up in New York City early on a Sunday morning, and someone drove in from New Jersey to connect with this amazing group of humans. She was really nervous to come to the event alone — but left feeling energized, inspired, and left with a bunch of new friends! It’s just a clear reminder that there are really awesome people out there who are craving the ability to connect in real life (aka — off our phones!) and talk about deep, life changing ideas. Even if you’re feeling alone right now, know that your humans are out there somewhere, waiting for you to meet them.

As a part of my series about social media stars who are using their platform to make a significant social impact, I had the pleasure of interviewing Katina Mountanos, the founder of On Adulting, a viral blog and community of over 20,000 millennials who are figuring out how to navigate adulthood in a conscious, happy way (@onadulting). She is also a mindset coach, certified yoga + meditation teacher, and start up advisor. Her work has featured on HuffPost, Fast Company, Teen Vogue, Elite Daily, Mindbodygreen, and others. She started her career in environmental sustainability at Goldman Sachs, and since then has helped dozens of humans develop conscious decision-making skills, which allow them to make choices that will expand their mindset, happiness and health. Follow along on Instagram at @onadulting or The Space, a private Facebook group for the O.A. crew!

Thank you so much for doing this with us! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?

Thank you so much for having me!

Ever since I was young, I knew that I wanted to do something that makes a positive impact on the world. I grew up in a family of small business owners, and saw first-hand the way that business could bring communities together.

Years later when I started college at NYU’s Stern School of Business, it seemed like I only had two career paths: do something can change the world while sacrificing my earning potential or “sell my soul” and work at a corporation. I naively ended up choosing the latter — like many college graduates I was burdened by loans and the definition of other’s version of “success.”

I started my career at Goldman Sachs, a large investment bank in New York and quickly realized that working at a big company wasn’t for me. I had a clear passion for social impact and an extreme entrepreneurial spirit, both qualities that led me to feel like I was settling for good enough at the time. And I knew that I wanted my career to be a choice rather than a negotiation.

While at Goldman, I switched groups to join the newly created Environmental Sustainability team. Working on social impact in a large corporation showed me that it is possible to use business for good. But, it also showed me how little I knew about creating long-term social impact. As a finance major, I didn’t know much about the nonprofit world — and needed to learn quickly.

So, a few months later I was lucky enough to be offered a role at a small philanthropic venture firm where I was worked with nonprofit leaders on their strategy, communications and operations. It was the ideal learning environment — but I still was searching for my personal version of what it meant to change the world.

That’s when I started a side project, On Adulting. It was a tiny blog that had one simple intention: share my journey of navigating adulthood in a mindful, happy way — and hopefully connect with others on that same path. Little did I know at the time that this side hustle would turn into a full-fledged business and community just two years later, helping thousands of millennials step into their power and lead more conscious lives.

It’s been a windy path — and I’m sure there will be more twists and turns — but I’ve found that as long as I am connected to my North Star, it all makes sense.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began this career?

Well, it’s all been an interesting ride! But, I think one of the most impactful decisions that came when I was faced with the choice of moving from my home, New York City, to San Francisco with my partner in 2017.

After he received an amazing job offer on the West Coast, we both decided to relocate. Even though I loved my job and On Adulting was just starting to gain traction, I knew deep down that taking a large risk both personally and professionally could only lead to growth.

So, I uprooted my entire life and got uncomfortable — really uncomfortable. My partner, Dupi, and I didn’t have any friends or family in this new city. I didn’t have a job. We were far away from everything we knew.

But, gaining this new perspective allowed me to take major risks, which led to me believe that I could take On Adulting full-time and turn it into a full-fledged business.

Bottom line: Sometimes the best outcomes happen when you’re a little scared or uncomfortable. Dive into the feelings and allow yourself to be open to all the opportunities that come your way.

Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

Oh wow, there have been plenty of mistakes along the way. This one is difficult for me to answer, actually, because I don’t typically view mistakes as bad, or even funny. I just view them as experiences that shift my path in a way I would have never imagined.

That said, when I first started my career I often made silly “mistakes” like forgetting my work heels at home and getting stuck in sneakers and a business suit (true story). I also often emailed the wrong person (Jim C got a ton of misinformed emails!), and messed up during presentations.

But, whenever those “mistakes” would happen — I would allow myself to feel embarrassed, upset or ashamed for a few moments, and remind myself that we’re all human. Messing up is normal.

I know that these feelings can be overwhelming at times but remember: silly missteps are not the end of the world.

Ok super. Let’s now jump to the core focus of our interview. Can you describe to our readers how you are using your platform to make a significant social impact?

The entire mission of On Adulting is centered on the idea that we can all lead our dream life — in a conscious, mindful way. That navigating adulthood doesn’t need to be difficult or overwhelming. That we don’t need to feel like we’re settling for a mediocre life, just like I did back when I first entered the working world.

Through my social media presence, in real life events and individual coaching I am dedicated to helping millennials make choices that will not only expand their own mindset, happiness and health — but that of the planet. And most importantly, empowering others to see that their choices don’t need to be major life changes, like quitting your job or traveling the world with one backpack (though that’s cool if it is!). We are all capable of making tiny decisions each and every day that will result in more engaged, conscious and happy lives over the long-term.

Personally, I am passionate about environmental sustainability as a cause. It’s a great example of a topic that requires small, conscious, everyday decisions on each human’s part to make massive change. Through my platform and community, I share the ways that you can begin to shift your lifestyle to care for yourself and our world.

Wow! Can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted by this cause?

Actually, there are thousands of individuals who have been impacted by this work — which still seems out of this world to me! But, I get dozens of messages and notes each day from amazing individuals around the world who are inspired to be more conscious, awake — and even grateful — for their lives and their ability to make change.

One of the most gratifying pieces of this work for me is when I get to meet the On Adulting community in person. It always amazes me how driven, inspiring and all around cool these women (and men!) are. One of my favorite experiences was when I held an On Adulting meet up in New York City early on a Sunday morning, and someone drove in from New Jersey to connect with this amazing group of humans. She was really nervous to come to the event alone — but left feeling energized, inspired, and left with a bunch of new friends!

It’s just a clear reminder that there are really awesome people out there who are craving the ability to connect in real life (aka — off our phones!) and talk about deep, lifechanging ideas. Even if you’re feeling alone right now, know that your humans are out there somewhere, waiting for you to meet them.

Was there a tipping point the made you decide to focus on this particular area? Can you share a story about that?

There wasn’t necessarily a tipping point that made me decide to focus on these topics — it was more of a deep, primal need to share my story with the world. So, for those of you reading who may be on the fence about starting something or sharing your story — listen to your inner guidance.

A question that I get asked often is: how did you stop feeling scared or worried about what others thought when you began writing and sharing publicly? And, I think that being worried about showing your vulnerability, especially to strangers, is really scary. But, if you’re truly connected to your purpose, you realize that it’s much bigger than you. Allowing others to see themselves in your story — the good, bad and ugly — is what inspires us humans to make change for the better.

Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?

I would say there are two problems that I am trying to solve through my work: (1) empowering people to believe that they can live the best version of their lives, and to make conscious choices along the way, and (2) protecting the health of our earth.

I think that both of these issues are deeply rooted in our society’s belief systems, especially in the United States. It’s important for all of us to be leaders in our choices and put the onus on ourselves to make change — rather than wait around for laws or companies to do something drastic. As I’ve said many times, change happens in the small, regular moments each and every day.

So, here are some actionable things you can do as it relates to conscious decision-making:

1. Cheer on a friend: Let’s turn ourselves into a yes and society instead of a no but. If a friend or colleague is doing something risky or scary, like moving to a new city or launching a new business — get them excited! What they’re doing is uncomfortable enough, and in our world we don’t need any more naysayers.

2. Do something uncomfortable yourself: We grow during moments of discomfort. Do something today that makes you feel out of your comfort zone and see what magic happens. Not only does it provide us with perspective, but it helps us become more awake to what we really want. Some examples you could try are talking to a stranger or going to a completely new neighborhood to explore.

3. Make it cool to be kind: Let’s shift our world’s perception that being nice isn’t cool. Pick up trash on the street. Help someone with directions. Get out of your bubble, off your phone and truly connect with another human — see how much it can change your day.

And, if you’re interested in environmental sustainability, try these three challenges:

1. Reduce your use: While recycling and composting is great, let’s try to reduce the amount of “stuff” we purchase. We live in a world that’s obsessed with buying things — so challenge yourself to do the opposite. Think before you buy anything today: do you actually need it?

2. Unplug — literally: It’s important to disconnect not only mentally, but literally. Remove plugs that you’re not using — appliances, computer chargers, TVs. We waste a ton of energy on electronics not in use. And hey, it’s also good for your wallet!

3. Inspire others through your actions: I love bringing my reusable mug to coffee shops, because every single time I get a comment from someone — whether it’s a customer or an employee — about how much they love it. Be a leader through your actions, and inspire others to be more sustainable. Whether you’re recycling correctly at work, or bringing your own bag to the grocery store — don’t downplay the importance of making change through action.

What specific strategies have you been using to promote and advance this cause? Can you recommend any good tips for people who want to follow your lead and use their social platform for a social good?

Building the On Adulting community has taken commitment, authenticity and a deep vision — even when no one was paying attention. It’s really important for anyone who is interested in developing a platform or community to continue showing up each and every day, no matter how many people are with you. The only way this can happen is if you’re truly connected to your North Star, your personal mission, and are committed to speaking that truth every day.

What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why? Please share a story or example for each.

I think this list could go on forever! But, here are my top 5 pieces of advice for anyone who is just starting to “change the world”:

1. Being an adult doesn’t mean you have it figured out: When I first entered the working world, I thought that everyone had the secret key to adulthood and happiness. I couldn’t have been more wrong, which was enlightening but also scary. If I stopped looking externally for the answers, and started looking within I would have saved myself a ton of stress and fear.

2. Your dream job probably doesn’t exist — make it up: Every single “job” I’ve had was extremely different than what I was hired for. And, when I started working for myself, I realized there never would be a perfect job that I didn’t create myself. I often work with clients who are bogged down by the reality of what is out there in the world — but we all have the power to create whatever we can dream of. Imagine the type of work that would light you up, and then go create it.

3. Collect as many experiences as you can: Conventional wisdom tells us to land a job after college, stay there for 2–3 years, and move onto another one for even longer. In my case, and others who have gone off the beaten path to find success, this isn’t true. I believe we are actually the sum of our experiences. So, collect as many as you can, even if they don’t necessarily have a “purpose” right now. They will.

4. The uncomfortable moments are the ones that make you grow the most: Even though I knew this concept was true deep down, I wish that someone had reassured me that how we handle the difficult, confusing times literally define our life. As long as we want to grow, we will find discomfort. Recognize it, lean into it and remember that it will pass — but not without changing you first.

5. You can change your mind as many times as you want: I wish someone had shared that there is no perfect answer for fulfillment in life. Our priorities and interests change over time, and that’s okay. You don’t need to have a clear life strategy from the moment you graduate college (or even before then!). While it’s important to get clear on your personal mission statement as soon as you can — the ways that you make that a reality shift over the course of your life. Keep checking in with yourself and be honest about what lights you up.

You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂

My dream movement would be for all of us to stop doing things because you are “supposed” to and start acting consciously. The movement has already begun with the On Adulting community — come join us! J

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

“Do yourself a favor. Before it’s too late, without thinking too much about it first, pack a pillow and a blanket and see as much of the world as you can. You will not regret it. One day it will be too late.”

– The Namesake

This quote literally changed my life. I remember exactly where I was when I read it during my senior year of college. I had recently decided to graduate early, and was stuck between following the traditional route to start work early, or take a few months to travel.

As you can imagine, after reading this quote I chose the latter. During my four-month solo trip to Australia and New Zealand at the age of 21, my perspective and definition of success changed entirely. I saw first-hand how people can be happy, truly happy, by only owning a backpack. I was exposed to beliefs that I had never considered before. And, I learned how to trust myself.

So, if you have the chance — pack a bag and see the world. You will never regret it.

Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂

Wow — there are so many people I’d love to connect with. But, if I had to choose I would love to have breakfast with Oprah. She has always been my biggest expander and inspiration in showing us the power of making change through connection. She has always brought her truest self to the table — and helped so many others do the same. I would love to plot with her about how we can keep making the world a more kind, conscious place for all.

How can our readers follow you on social media?

You can follow along on Instagram at @onadulting or join our Facebook group, The Space, for conversations about growing up in a mindful, happy way.

There are also plenty of free resources available on the On Adulting website — from blog posts to free guided meditations.

This was very meaningful, thank you so much!

Thank you so much for having me! I’m excited to see what change this might inspire.


The Social Impact Heroes of Social Media: Katina Mountanos is helping millennials to figure out how was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

The Social Impact Heroes of Social Media: Alexa Curtis is inspiring young people about how to get…

The Social Impact Heroes of Social Media: Alexa Curtis is inspiring young people about how to get out of their comfort zone and find their purpose

I wish I listened to my mom when she told me to stop comparing myself to people. I remember when a girl who I met through blogging who was featured in this Teen Vogue Snapshot article, and I had been so badly wanting the spot she got. I came to find out she was best friends with the editor, which could’ve assisted in her landing the spot. I wish I had realized early on that everything happens for a reason. It took me some time to believe that. The people who aren’t authentic are the ones who won’t survive in the long run.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Alexa Curtis. Alexa is a young adult influencer and CEO of Life Unfiltered with Alexa, the lifestyle site for teens and parents. Curtis also founded the nonprofit Media Impact and Navigation for Teens, along with the Be Fearless Summit. She is a sought-out speaker by many colleges and conferences, and runs her show Fearless Everyday on Radio Disney along with her weekly podcast This is Life Unfiltered. @alexa_curtis

Thank you so much for doing this with us! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?

I started a blog called A Life in the Fashion Lane in 2011 when I was 12-years-old. I come from a small, sheltered town in Eastern Connecticut and never fit in- I was always the “weird kid”. I initially started the blog as an outlet for me to overcome my insecurities and the bullying I was enduring, with no intention of it becoming a full-time career! I’m 21-years-old now, and I run Life Unfiltered with Alexa (I switched the site to solely focus on social media and mental health) full-time along with the show I recently secured on Radio Disney called Fearless Everyday. I speak at colleges across the country educating young people about how to get out of their comfort zone and find their purpose. In this day and age everyone wants to become so successful and wealthy overnight, and I like to remind people that if I had ever intended of becoming successful by simply starting this blog back in the day, I don’t think I’d be where I am. Follow your passion first, the rest will come if it’s meant to.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began this career?

I have so many stories, it’s hard to pick just one! When I forced my mom to let me transfer to online high school my junior year (because I was still planning on attending college and frankly was failing out of high school) I had a terrible conversation with my guidance counselor who was so against the idea and tried to deter me from transferring. Within 1 hour after leaving the appointment, I got a phone call from Rachael Ray who had found my blog and wanted me to appear on the show the following week. I’ll never forget it.

Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

I still make mistakes every day. To learn and grow as an entrepreneur, you have to constantly be pushing yourself which means getting out of your comfort zone! I had a few TV segments in the beginning of my career. I didn’t know I had to return the clothing to the brands I was using for TV. Needless to say, by age of 16 I knew everything anyone should know about cease and desist letters and not being able to be sued when you’re underage, as well as a variety of ways to keep your company safe even when you’re not able to legally drink! One of the experiences I faced with a brand is actually the opening of the first episode of the show my team has been pitching to different production companies! Who would’ve known all of that stress may just pay off!

Ok super. Let’s now jump to the core focus of our interview. Can you describe to our readers how you are using your platform to make a significant social impact?

What sets me apart from other people is my absolute transparency and authenticity when it comes to social media. Maybe that’s because I started blogging when I was so young, or maybe I’m just such an honest person in general that I don’t see why I wouldn’t share the highs and the lows of me pursuing this path.

If Instagram wasn’t around, I’m lucky that I’d still be able to make a living through the other parts of my company like site and podcast. That being said, I think social media is crucial in constructing your core demographic and engaging with your fans. I’m so incredibly vocal about the rejection I face, from boys to book deals because I want other young adults out there to know that they are not alone in the process of finding their purpose. Sure, I knew what I wanted to do at a young age but that doesn’t mean I know everything that’s going to happen to me in the future. I’m still experimenting and learning about myself everyday. I always wanted to be the model person I didn’t have to look up to when I was younger.

Wow! Can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted by this cause?

I get so many messages a day from kids and parents whose story sticks out to me. Whenever I present talks on social media or mental health, I’m always flooded by kids who are suffering with anxiety, cutting, bullying, and finally feel like it’s okay to say they’re not okay. I recently put on an entire summit at Drexel University called the Be Fearless Summit, and after the summit a few girls told me that they took away more from the summit than they did at a women’s conference they each paid $500 + to attend. When I hear comments like that, that’s when I know I’m on to something. I know I’m filling the void out there, slowly but surely.

Was there a tipping point the made you decide to focus on this particular area? Can you share a story about that?

From ages 14 to 16, I suffered with an eating disorder called orthorexia. At the time, I was still solely blogging about fashion but feeling more and more like I was being asked to speak on topics I didn’t feel were making a difference in the world (fashion surely impacted my life, but it wasn’t helping others that much). I ended up publishing an article called Role Model vs. Runway Model, an honest letter on my eating disorder that went viral. It wasn’t until girls from my high school started messaging me telling me about their eating disorders that I had this light bulb moment: I found my purpose. Shortly after that I was flown to NYC to speak on a panel on social media and mental health with a few older advocates and CEOs, and I decided to launch Media Impact and Navigation for Teens. Sometime later, I decided I had no interest in fashion and wanted to speak and share my personal life experiences openly and honestly. I figured if I could continue to make a career out of my honesty, I’d be doing good in the world.

Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?

I might answer this question differently than others, but something that I think is crucial is parents educating themselves about social media. Parents should know about Instagram and Snapchat so that when their child addresses them about something they see online, they aren’t clueless.

I love Michelle Obama’s Better Make Room initiative, and I think that schools (high schools and colleges in particular) should be teaching life skills. Why don’t we leave school knowing about taxes, about finding freelance work, or how to not screw up our lives!? That’s why I launched the Be Fearless Summit, because I knew that young adults knew how to start Instagram pages, but didn’t necessarily know the difference between W9s + W2s.

Society in general could be more open about following nontraditional paths. I’m often asked and questioned about why I decided not to go to college, and I have the same answer every time I’m asked. At the end of the day, as long as you are willing to experiment and try new opportunities you will eventually find your purpose. Let’s encourage everyone to get out of their comfort zone and try something new!

What specific strategies have you been using to promote and advance this cause? Can you recommend any good tips for people who want to follow your lead and use their social platform for a social good?

Don’t start an Instagram page for fame or money. If you want to pursue the entertainment industry, realize that 1% of people make it in this world. This might not be for you, and that’s okay. Working a 9–5 job does not make you “normal” or boring, it’s quite the contrary. I advise you not to compare yourself to anyone else. If you don’t yet know what you want to do for a career, that’s okay. Sit down with a notebook and a pen and write down where you’d like to see yourself in 5 years. Maybe that’s in a huge office, or maybe that’s with a smile on your face eating a cupcake! Many of us forget the bigger picture in life, and to make an impact in the world you have to find yourself first.

What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.

1. I wish I listened to my mom when she told me to stop comparing myself to people. I remember when a girl who I met through blogging who was featured in this Teen Vogue Snapshot article, and I had been so badly wanting the spot she got. I came to find out she was best friends with the editor, which could’ve assisted in her landing the spot. I wish I had realized early on that everything happens for a reason. It took me some time to believe that. The people who aren’t authentic are the ones who won’t survive in the long run.

2. I certainly wish there had been a book on how to not get screwed over in the business world. Time after time, prior to me having a team and lawyer, I got screwed over by not reading through contracts thoroughly enough. The business world is very cutthroat, and it’s truly survival of the fittest.

3. When I was 18, I spent 6 months trying to launch this bra finder app. I even tried to get investors for it, and I eventually just couldn’t do it. I felt crappy, like I had settled because I couldn’t figure out how to make this app happen. Many times during your entrepreneurial journey you may find yourself feeling lost, and that’s totally normal. To find yourself you have to get lost! Embrace every bump in the road and realize that failures aren’t failures unless you’ve failed yourself.

4. People may think you’re nuts when you start out. To this day people question me, tell me I’m not good enough, I don’t have millions of followers yet so to them I’m doing nothing…and I’ve realized that the kind of success I’m looking for in life isn’t calculated by a number on a social media page. We each have our own idea of success, and numbers eventually won’t give you the value that knowing you’re following your passion and making a difference will.

5. Be a nerd! I wish I spent more time studying in middle school. Seriously!

You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂

I’d love to see more people putting on their own after school events or summits (it doesn’t have to be on the level mine was) to encourage everyone to find their purpose. By getting a group of people together, girls or boys, you will all have so many ideas and certainly walk away feeling motivated and inspired!

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

I don’t even think I have to explain why this quote means so much to me. I dropped out of high school, I couldn’t even get a higher grade than a C in math. I spent so much time beating myself up over not being able to succeed at school. But I realized it’s okay because I succeeded at something else in my life.

“If my future were determined just by my performance on a standardized test, I wouldn’t be here. I guarantee you that.” Michelle Obama

Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂

YES! Michelle Obama, Halsey or Hoda Kotb. I’ve got millions more names if you want me to list them all!

How can our readers follow you on social media?

You can follow me at @alexa_curtis and the summit is @befearlesssummit, and my podcast is @thisislifepodcast.

Befearlesssummit.org

Tilupodcast.com

Fearlesseveryday.org

Lifeunfilteredwithalexa.com

Medianav.org

Do I seriously have 5 websites? Oh boy!

Thank you so much for joining us!


The Social Impact Heroes of Social Media: Alexa Curtis is inspiring young people about how to get… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.