I Tell My Daughter About These 5 Teens to Teach Her About Black Excellence

Published on 2/17/2021 at 1:20 PM

Black excellence is a phrase used in the Black community to acknowledge the accomplishments and actions of Black people that uplift and instill pride in our community. From activism to entrepreneurship, Black excellence is real, tangible, and interconnected to our Black identity.

As a family, we talk a lot about Black excellence, referencing examples of the past and present. With my daughter, I intentionally choose to amplify and celebrate the Black excellence of kids and teens. I do this so that my daughter knows that she, too, is Black excellence, and that she is never too young to make a difference. I believe in her and want her to know that she can pursue her aspirations, leave her own mark in the world, and live out our ancestors' wildest dreams.

Black excellence is all around us — and lives inside of her, too. Black excellence is an attitude, a swagger, a part of our cultural DNA where we can make, as my grandmother would say in AAVE (African American Vernacular English), "somethin' outta nothin'." Black excellence forges new paths to victory, where despite the forces around us, we keep rising to the top, celebrating the Black joy of all that we are and all that we will become. Here are five teens who exemplify Black excellence 365 days a year.

Jaylen Arnold, Anti-Bullying Advocate

Jaylen Arnold is an advocate for bullying prevention in schools. At a young age, Jaylen was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome and Asperger's syndrome, and he experienced first-hand the harmful effects of bullying. He created Jaylens Challenge Foundation, a nonprofit that educates children across the United States on how to prevent bullying, being an upstander for others. To learn more about the foundation, visit the Jaylens Challenge Foundation website.

Marley Dias, Author and Activist

At age 11, Marley Dias started the Twitter hashtag #1000BlackGirlBooks, which was born from her discontent with the lack of representation Black girls had as protagonists in books. This hashtag created a network of resources for young Black girls and women to see themselves reflected in literature, and led to Marley publishing her own activist guide book, Marley Dias Gets It Done: And So Can You!.

Isra Hirsi, Youth Organizer

Isra Hirsi is a founder of the US Youth Climate Strike, organizing strikes and protests around the world and gathering funding for environmental organizations and grassroots movements. Isra speaks on issues of racial justice and intersectionality, and was recently featured as one of Fortune's 40 Under 40 in Government and Politics.

Mari Copeny, Activist and Philanthropist

Mari Copeny is a philanthropist and advocate for environmental justice. Mari caught the attention of former President Barack Obama with her letter addressing the water crisis in her community of Flint, MI, that was disproportionately impacting Black children and families. Mari's letter led to President Obama surveying the crisis himself and approving $100 million for relief. Mari is a national youth ambassador for the Climate March and Women's March, and is a member of the Michigan Department of Education Anti-Racism Student Advisory Council. Mari's words, "My generation will fix this mess of a government. Watch us," have inspired a new generation of activists and leaders who are creating real change in their communities.

Cory Nieves, Entrepreneur and Baker

Cory Nieves, 16, founded Mr. Cory's Cookies at just 6 years old, selling hot cocoa and cookies to help his local community. His entrepreneurial spirit began in the kitchen with his mom, where they would create new recipes to bake. Since then, Cory's company has expanded to a cookie subscription service, partnering with various corporations that give back to charitable children's organizations. Cory was also featured on season three of MasterChef Junior.