April 8, 2025 • 28 mins
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"We're not looking for the superstar—we want that person you see making a turnaround, serving their community, doing things that often go unnoticed."
Orlana Darkins Drewery's passionate mission with the Shine Awards transforms how we recognize youth achievement in a world quick to blame teens for society's problems. What started as a one-time event in Pittsburgh has evolved into a 16-year journey celebrating young people ages 13-24 across nine categories—from academics and arts to overcoming obstacles—complete with red carpet, media interviews, and tangible awards.
The conversation takes a powerful turn when Orlana challenges our adult focus on workplace readiness: "At this point in their lives, they don't need workplace tips—they need confidence." This insight reveals how we often skip foundational elements in youth development, rushing to prepare teens for jobs while neglecting the self-worth that empowers them to even try. Previous honorees share how their Shine Award became a turning point—like one straight-A student who never believed she was "college worthy" until winning, now pursuing her PhD.
Beyond the glitz of what teens affectionately nicknamed "The Grammys for Teens," the Shine Awards teaches crucial life lessons about controlling personal narratives through responsibility and follow-through. "When you keep your words," Fatima observes, "you might actually inspire the adults around you."
This episode doesn't just showcase an award ceremony—it provides a masterclass in building youth confidence through meaningful recognition. Whether you're a parent, teacher, or community member, you'll discover how even small gestures of acknowledgment can profoundly impact a young person's trajectory. Ready to change the narrative about today's youth? This conversation shows exactly how to start.
To learn more about Orlana or the Shyne Awards, please click the links below.
https://orlanadarkinsdrewery.com/
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To learn more about what I do besides podcasting, please visit https://www.FatimaBey.world
If you have any comments, topic suggestions, or would like to be a guest on the show, please go to:
https://www.MindShiftPowerPodcast.world
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Thank you for listening.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 2 (00:01):
Welcome to MindShift Power Podcast the only
international podcast focused onteens, connecting young voices
and perspectives from around theworld.
Get ready to explore the issuesthat matter to today's youth
and shape tomorrow's world.
I'm your host, fatima Bey, theMindShifter, and welcome
(00:23):
everyone.
Today, we have with us OrlanaDawkins-Drewley.
She is out of Pittsburgh,pennsylvania, which is in the US
.
She is the CEO of Shine Networkand the creator of the Shine
Awards.
How are you?
Speaker 3 (00:35):
doing today?
Orlana, I am doing great.
Thank you for the opportunityto be with you today.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
I'm really excited to talk to you about what you're
doing, because I believe in itstrongly and I think that
everyone else will love you too.
Thank, you.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
So tell us.
What are the Shine Awards?
So the Shine Awards is anational premier award ceremony
that celebrates the positiveaccomplishments of young people
anywhere in the world betweenthe ages of 13 and 24.
Okay, and who do these awardsgo to?
Okay, and who do these awardsgo to?
So, again, the only requirementis that they're between the
ages of 13 and 24, and youngpeople can nominate themselves
(01:11):
or other people can nominatethem, and they can select from
nine categories, and oftentimes,as you know, our young people
are multi-talented, so a lot oftimes, young people are
nominated in one or morecategories.
Oh, okay, can you tell us whata few of those categories are?
Yes, so hopefully I get themall.
But we have the arts, and whenI say the arts, that could be
(01:34):
visual arts, performing arts.
So the arts, academics,community service, service and
ministry, entrepreneurship,young adult, group participation
, leadership, stem andovercoming obstacles.
Speaker 2 (01:50):
Oh, overcoming obstacles.
Speaker 3 (01:51):
Overcoming obstacles is normally a tearjerker.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
Yeah, I would imagine .
So that was probably the oneI'd be the most interested in,
because I think a lot of peopledeserve awards for overcoming
obstacles that don't getrecognized, and it's amazing too
, whenever and that categorysometimes is not fulfilled.
Speaker 3 (02:11):
And we also don't want to seem like you're
competing for overcomingobstacles, but when we do get
someone, a young person, thatshares their story, it is
amazing how, at a young age,some of these obstacles, it is
amazing how, at a young age,some of these obstacles whether
they're physical, environmental,but some of these obstacles
(02:32):
that young people are facing atsuch an early age and are
overcoming and being successfulat the age that they are.
So that's what makes it so.
I said it's a tearjerker, butit's also so inspirational and
motivational for not only theyoung people but the adults in
the audience.
Speaker 2 (02:49):
Absolutely.
Sometimes we as adults don'treally really recognize or
realize, I would say, just howmuch our youth today go through
that we did not go through atsuch an early age.
There's so much more abundanceof certain things that you know
we're like, oh, by 13, I didn'thave to deal with that.
Some of these kids are dealingwith what you didn't deal with
until 16.
Speaker 3 (03:09):
Exactly.
They're not, and that's why Isaid a lot of times it is such
an eye opener for adults becauseit's like man, like I'm 40.
And you've already experiencedsomething that maybe a 40 or 50
year old should experience inyour 18.
Something that maybe a 40 or 50year old should experience in
your 18.
Right, so let me be, and it'salso I mean, it's an award show,
but there's just these momentsof grounding where you're like
(03:31):
you know what.
Let me stop complaining.
Speaker 2 (03:34):
Yes, For real, for real.
It must be so exciting.
It's just exhilarating to handthose awards.
It is.
Speaker 3 (03:43):
It is we were only supposed to do it, my husband
and I, we were only supposed todo it one time.
We just wanted to prove a pointand really our point was just
to be proven in our city,Pittsburgh, pennsylvania, that
young people are doing greatthings and they should be
recognized and not overlooked.
And we were going to move on.
And just the impact and thetestimonies we received just
(04:04):
from the one show from adultsand the students, we thought,
okay, we'll do it just one moretime.
And now this is our 16th year.
So here we are, but, yes, it isso rewarding and it's that
reward that keeps me.
I mean it's hard.
I mean every year, every yearyou're, you're trying to raise
(04:25):
money, you're trying to get allthe things, but once you hear
the impact it makes, rewarding.
We're also glad, too, that theynicknamed it.
You know, a lot of times whenyou have your own business, you
come up with your own motto, butwe're excited that they gave us
one and they consider the ShineAwards the Grammys for teens.
So we're like we'll take that.
(04:46):
I love that.
Speaker 2 (04:46):
I love that.
I love that.
That is absolutely beautifuland you know what?
I think there needs to be morethings like that, and I'm going
to say that because in thisconversation I think it needs to
be mentioned.
Far too often we have a coupledifferent takes on awards when
it comes to our youth.
You have people like you thatare rewarding those who don't
normally get recognized.
(05:07):
That should be.
And then you have those who arelike oh, we're going to give
you an award for sneezing on aTuesday and it ruins.
It ruins the real reward,because now we're rewarding kids
for just existing, but whenthey get out there in the real
world, they ain't gettingrewarded for existing and we're
not preparing them for the realworld.
But you are recognizing themand I know that you have
physically seen the confidencebuild in some of these.
Speaker 3 (05:30):
First of all, so one thing I want to say is that we
spell shine with a Y, so it'sS-H-Y-N-E and, yes, you're
completely right.
So, yes, we do award some youngpeople who are used to being
awarded I mean, they'reexcellent, we can't deny them
that.
But our focus is to find thatunderdog, like that person who's
working but they're not beingrecognized.
(05:52):
So we always, when we'repromoting the Shine Awards,
we're like, you know, we're notlooking for the superstar, like
please nominate them, but wewant that person that you see,
that made a turnaround in theiracademics, that you see them
serving at their church, thatyou see them doing things in
their community.
And last year we startedintentionally going back to some
(06:14):
past honorees and just askingthem, you know, to share your
experience with the Shine Awards.
And every single one of themsaid it was their first award
and it gave them the confidenceto try new things.
And just one testimony comes tomind One young adult.
She was our academic honoree.
(06:35):
She said at the time now shesaid in high school she was
making straight A's but in hermind she wasn't worthy enough
for college.
And we ended up well, she endedup being nominated, she won the
academic award and now she'sgetting her PhD, but she told us
, if it wasn't for thatexperience of being seen and
seeing that there's other peoplelike her, she would have never
(06:57):
even applied to college or nowworking to get her PhD.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
Wow.
So I'm hearing the results ofwhat you're doing and confidence
building our youth is the mostpowerful thing that we can do as
adults, and that's what peopledon't realize.
It's not giving them stuff andgiving them knowledge they need
that too but giving themconfidence that surpasses
everything, because a person whodoesn't believe in themselves
will not even try Like you justsaid, they won't even try, and
(07:23):
if they won't even try, theycan't get to any kind of success
, not because they're incapable,but because they don't believe
that they can or that theyshould.
And building confidence in ouryouth and I love that you're
doing that.
I'm so passionate aboutbuilding confidence in our youth
because they desperately needit today, more than we do.
Speaker 3 (07:40):
You are so right.
A lot of times I am asked whatare some workplace tips you can
give our teens?
And I always say at this pointin their lives they don't need
workplace tips, they needconfidence.
Speaker 2 (07:51):
Thank, you Exactly.
The workplace tip is beconfident.
Speaker 3 (07:55):
So when you get to work, you do a good job, and
that's the thing thing like whyare we talking about work like
they need confidence to first ofall make it through school?
Yeah, then they can feelconfident to learn, to equip
themselves with the tools, thestrategies like it needs to
build.
We're so focused on thisworkplace mentality um that
(08:15):
we're skipping some foundationalthings like confidence kindness
self-worth.
We're skipping stuff and you'relike what are some workplace
tips?
No, I have some, but let's talkabout confidence and self-worth
and mindset.
Let's talk about that.
Speaker 2 (08:33):
Right, because all of that will make the workplace
tips useful.
It's no use 's no use.
It's like, kind of like givinginstruction on how to build a
rocket to a cat.
They're not going to do it.
And the thing is it's like.
It's like that when we don't,when our when we don't have
confidence, we show up asincompetent, although that may
(08:54):
not actually be true, becausesome of the most, some of those
intelligent people, when theydon't have confidence, I've seen
it, I've been there myself andthe building of the confidence
is so important.
So for adults who are out therelistening, who work with youth
because many of you listen tothis hear that If you work with
youth, just know when you beatthem down, you are not going to
get the best out of them, you'regoing to get the minimal at
(09:15):
most.
And when you build theconfidence, they will show up in
every area, including work, butnot just that.
Speaker 3 (09:22):
And I'm glad you said that, because even with the
teens that we work with, again,they're teens, so a lot of times
I mean we forget they've onlybeen on earth for like 16 years
or 18 years like it's not a longtime, but we expect them to
know so much.
But when we work with teens atthe Shine Awards Foundation.
So if there's something they dowrong, before we tell them that
(09:44):
part, we'll tell them somethingthey did right.
So we're glad that you gave herthe correct change back.
That was great, but next timewhen you give her the change,
say thank you, we look forwardto seeing you again.
Like you know, like correctthem within the compliment.
Speaker 2 (10:06):
Not like you didn't even say thank you.
You know, yeah, and that's thething.
Speaker 3 (10:08):
It's not just with teens when people come at us
like that, it's difficult toreally kind of listen to what
they have to say and even ifeverything is right, right,
right, exactly, tone Again.
Foundational things first, sowe'll add tone to the list.
How you approach somebody itreally does matter.
Speaker 2 (10:23):
And sometimes we got to check ourself because I know
I've been guilty of approachingpeople with a little bit too
much extra energy and in timespast and not even realize that I
was doing it because I have avery strong personality.
So sometimes that can comeacross as intimidating in
certain situations and I had togo oh, wait a minute.
And this is why it's soimportant that we listen to
(10:45):
feedback.
So what kind of feedback haveyou gotten from some of the
youth in your Shine Network?
Speaker 3 (10:51):
Yes.
So again, as I mentioned lastyear, we started intentionally
going back and asking them thequestion what did you think
about the Shine Awards?
How has it impacted you?
One young lady, she is anhonoree, she won in Clarksburg,
maryland.
She says that she's very shy,so she said she was super
nervous that she even when shefound out she won a Shine Awards
(11:14):
.
But she told us, because whenyou win a Shine Awards you have
to give a 30 second acceptancespeech.
So she said she was just like ahot mess, like a wreck, like oh
my God.
Yeah, I'm sure, I'm sure, butshe said the process of writing
down her remarks, walking to thepodium and reading her remarks.
(11:36):
She said that gave her practice.
It gave her confidence.
She said it was amazing howwhen I did it, she was like it
was 30 seconds, she's like, butit was amazing how when I did it
in the sense of accomplishmentI had in reading a 30 second
speech she's like I just like, Ifeel like I don't have to be
shy anymore, like I can justspeak and we're like, oh my gosh
(11:59):
, and so for us it's just a partof the show.
I never thought how certainfeatures in the show can have a
specific impact on young people.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
And that's what I was looking for.
I know that you have had animpact.
The Shine Awards, the ShineNetwork, has had an impact on
the youth that you have there.
I love that specific examplebecause we think of, we tend to
think of things sometimes what Icall too small, we think things
are nothing when they'reactually a big deal.
And especially if you've neverbeen in front of a crowd before,
(12:31):
that's a big deal.
That's a that's a big deal, nomatter what your age is.
That's a big deal.
And I remember the first time Iwas on tv I had a um, they did a
feature story on me because ofmy my business sewing wedding
gown and it was my first timebeing on being featured on tv,
like it was a feature and I'mlike, oh my god.
So I tried not to be nervous andI and it didn't show, but I
(12:53):
actually kind of was, you know,because it's my first time, it
was such a big deal and I justremember how I felt and I can
only imagine how you know andI've been in front of crowds
before, but it was just not thatbig of a presentation.
It is a very big deal.
So I love that you are givingthem the confidence.
And again, I want for theadults out there listening to
(13:14):
understand that that is the mostimportant thing you can do, not
that you should stop doing theother things you're doing
teaching and correcting thatneeds to be done too but
building of the confidence needsto be coupled with it, because
if you're not buildingconfidence, you're really just
roboting them, and they're notrobots, and that always works
against them, and whatever worksagainst them works against you,
(13:34):
because they're going to betaking care of you when you're
old and they don't know how todo nothing because they never
had enough confidence to try.
Speaker 3 (13:42):
I just had a conversation yesterday, as a
matter of fact, and we weretalking about how parents,
aunties, teachers, uncles but wewere specifically talking about
parents, how parents get intoyou know, I mean, it's their,
it's their baby.
They want to fix it, they wantto prevent things from happening
to them, they don't want themto hurt, so they'll jump in to
(14:03):
solve it and not provide theopportunity for it to be a
learning experience.
And then when I talk to teens, Itell them too that they also
have the power to control theirown narrative.
So it's not always just on theparents and the aunties and the
guardians.
You have the power to controlyour narrative.
So, for example, instead ofsaying can I hang up with my
(14:24):
friends tonight, it should bewhen I finish my homework can I
hang up with my friends for twohours at the mall?
Because that demonstratesresponsibility.
You gave information who yourfriends are, you gave a time
time limit and then this is thecrucial part I tell them you
have to do what you say, sodon't come back two and a half
(14:45):
hours later.
You said two hours, but thisshows the parent, guardian,
teacher like, oh, they'reresponsible, they can make
decisions, they can be trusted.
So it's a two-.
Street.
I think sometimes we put a lotof pressure on ourselves as
guardians, as teachers and asmentors, and I think we should
kind of shed the light on theyoung person too.
(15:07):
Like you play a role in this,you play a role in how all this
works out at the house or atschool.
So you control your narrativetoo.
Speaker 2 (15:17):
And I love that you're teaching them that and
that's so important.
And if we approach youth in away that's respectful to them,
they will usually listen to us,no matter what you look like, no
matter what your race is, nomatter how old you are.
Those things can play into howthey receive you too, but they
fall into the background withhow you treat them.
When you treat them withrespect, they're more inclined
(15:39):
to hear what you have to say,because I hear adults.
They have great things to sayand they're totally right about
what they're saying, but they'retotally wrong in their approach
and that's why they get it.
Speaker 3 (15:48):
I'm sorry, did I cut you off?
No, go ahead, which.
I just want to co-sign whatyou're saying.
And this happened to me Now,this was last year, but it was
this huge youth conference and Ihad to pass out these blank
name tags.
And so I was passing out theseblank name tags and the young
man wrote his name too large.
(16:10):
There wasn't enough space onthe name tag, so he asked for
another one.
So he was like, can I haveanother one?
So I was like, oh sure, hereyou go and, just you know, took
the other one and he said, wow,thanks for being so nice about
it.
And I thought, wow, like, whatreaction is he used to?
Speaker 2 (16:29):
Yeah, no, for real, for real, and he probably was
very legitimate with that?
Speaker 3 (16:33):
That shocked me.
He's like, wow, thanks forbeing so nice about it.
And then one other thing I um Imentioned to you off camera
like I love to walk, um, so Iwas taking a walk and I took a
moment to sit on a bench.
There was three young men kindof like about to walk past me,
um, so I just said, hey, howy'all doing.
And so two of them said, uh,yeah, you're good, you know,
whatever.
(16:54):
But the one who didn't speaksaid thanks for saying hi to us.
And that blew me away too,because I also am around adults
that say you know, kids, whenthey walk in a room with adults,
they need to speak.
But then, as adults, do wespeak to kids?
Speaker 2 (17:11):
Exactly no for real.
So that was an eye opener to me.
Speaker 3 (17:15):
So I'm like oh my gosh.
He said thank you for speakingto us.
Speaker 2 (17:20):
Let's take a deep dive into what you just said,
because I think this reallydrives home what I was talking
about.
If a person is, if a youth isfeeling like that, if a person
is feeling like I'm not worthsaying hello to, I'm not worth
addressing, how are theysupposed to be confident and go
for the job and career thatthey're supposed to go for?
How are they supposed to beconfident and go for anything in
life when they're not wortheven saying hello to Adults?
(17:46):
I want y'all to think aboutthat because the deeper dive
into.
That is what it does to someonepsychologically I'm not worth it
.
And when we send that messagethrough our actions and that's
just one of many actions when wecorrect them without adding the
good stuff, withoutacknowledging the good it's not
that the correction shouldn't bethere, it should.
But, as Orlando was saying, yougot to acknowledge the good too
, because what you're, themessage you're constantly
sending over and over again, isyou ain't nothing but a little
(18:09):
little pipsqueak, a littlewhatever and get out of my way
You're in.
What that says is I'm not worthanything.
Well, if we constantly receivethat message over and over again
, repetition is what teaches ushumans.
Anything we receive over andover again we tend to believe.
So it's very important, adultswho are listening, that we
recognize our youth in the waysand in any kind of way that we
(18:30):
can and what's effective forthem.
So you know, recognizingsomeone that is disciplined with
their time, who's alreadydisciplined with their time
every single day.
And it's like not a thought forthem that might not give them
an ego boost, but for someonewho came from a household where
it's always chaos and they don'tunderstand organization because
they weren't raised with it.
Speaker 3 (18:54):
And then they start to be organized.
Well, that's effort and that'sa big step for them.
Recognize that, say something,and you figure, too, I was a
stranger.
So imagine the impact if it'ssomeone they know their teacher,
their parent, their aunt, theircousin, like I was a stranger
and that impacted them.
Speaker 2 (19:06):
Yeah, yeah, and I've gotten similar responses from
youth when I go to schools andjust in other things, and it
really bothers me, not that theyouth bothers me, but it bothers
me that they're so mistreatedthat just to me what's normal is
special and it shouldn't be.
It should just be an everydaything for them.
(19:27):
So, going back to the awardswhen do they happen?
Speaker 3 (19:31):
They are the first Sunday in August every year, so
this year the date is Sunday,August 3rd.
We have a glitzy red carpetexperience that starts at 5 pm
and the award ceremony begins at6 pm.
Speaker 2 (19:46):
Nice, and how can people do people travel there
physically for it?
Yes, yes, we're so excited whenwe first started.
Speaker 3 (19:55):
That's why it's important to have your own
sometimes your own motivation,because not everyone's going to
cheer for you.
When we first started, peoplewere like no one's going to come
to Pittsburgh for the ShineAwards and my husband and I
actually believed that for areally long time.
We're like no one's going tocome to Pittsburgh for the Shine
Awards and my husband and Iactually believed that for a
really long time.
We're like no one's going tocome.
But they are showing up andit's awesome.
(20:18):
So we've awarded people from DC, texas, new Jersey, west
Virginia, ohio, just to name afew, kentucky.
But yes, it's great to seefamilies travel into our city
and experience it and becelebrated again in front of
(20:39):
people that they don't even know.
Also, during the red carpet wehave media sponsors.
So that's another publicspeaking opportunity that we let
them know in advance because wedon't want anyone freaking out
on the carpet.
But we have radio stationsinterview them on the red carpet
and there's photographs.
But they really truly are thestars that night.
(21:03):
Even before and after the showwe do kind of like a media tour
for those who are availablebecause they're students so
sometimes they can't get out ofschool, but there's some media
involved.
But they are a star and we workto stay in touch with them
really throughout their wholelife.
Like it's not, like you get aShine Awards and we disappear,
like we're still.
We want you to tell us allabout your successes and
(21:24):
interviews.
Speaker 1 (21:25):
That is awesome.
Speaker 3 (21:26):
Yeah, it's really nice.
I call them.
I don't think all of them knowthis, but I call them my shine
babies.
Speaker 2 (21:34):
Well, wait a minute, you get a red carpet treatment.
Okay, can I be 15 and get one,right?
Speaker 3 (21:38):
Yeah, If you can transform yourself to 15.
I do have adults trying to walkthis red carpet.
I'm like it's for the kids.
Speaker 2 (21:51):
But, but, but you know I I challenge you sometimes
.
Does that count?
No, no.
But I really love that you'redoing this and that you.
It's very clear you guys haveput a lot of thought into every
detail of it.
Do they get a plaque?
Do they get like a trophy?
Speaker 3 (22:06):
They get a very nice heavy glass trophy.
They also get a financialstipend, and then they might get
something else this year, butit's not confirmed yet, so they
might get something else, butdefinitely they'll get a
financial stipend and a niceheavy glass shine award.
Speaker 2 (22:25):
I love that.
I love that.
Oh my God, that's so awesome.
So how?
How can people nominate a youth, or how can youth nominate
themselves?
Speaker 3 (22:33):
So the Shine Award, so nominations for this year are
closed.
However, we do keep nominationsopen all year round so you can
still nominate.
You will get a reply on nextsteps, but you just visit our
website, which is the shineawardsorg, and we spell shine
(22:56):
with a Y.
Speaker 2 (22:56):
And it'll be in the show notes as well.
So in the podcast descriptionit'll be at the end, it'll be in
the middle of it, but there'llbe links there so that you all
can sign up.
So before we go, I want, forsome of the adults out there who
work with youth or parents, andthey love what you're doing and
listening and I mean this isinternational.
So, whether they're in Zimbabweor California listening to what
(23:19):
you're saying, they're inspiredand they want to recognize the
youth in their town and theircity and their village.
What advice do you have forthem?
Speaker 3 (23:26):
Yes, my advice would be start where you are, use what
you have, because, although I'mtalking about a national
premier award ceremony, you maynot have the resources to do
that ways to recognize youngpeople.
(23:46):
It could be a quarterlyrecognition where they get a
certificate, or maybe there wasa school that did a program
where if they caught someonedoing something good so maybe
they held the door open for ateacher or they picked up some
litter in the hallway they gotsome type of award of some sort
(24:08):
or some type of recognition.
So it doesn't have to be anexpensive, glitzy award ceremony
.
It could be small efforts thatreally make an impact in a young
person's life.
It could be as small as adinner.
It could be as small as adinner, fatima, I think I'm not
sure if I told you this, but Igot a phone call from someone
that said a teenager just askedcan I have a warm meal and a hug
(24:32):
?
That was her request.
So sometimes you're right,sometimes it's a dinner.
Speaker 2 (24:36):
You'd be surprised.
Yeah, just just come over andwe're going to make some stewed
chicken and rice and cornbreador whatever.
Now I'm getting hungry, youknow, and we just want to
recognize that you did betterthis semester.
It could be your next doorneighbor.
Something is simple.
Speaker 3 (24:52):
And even pizza.
Pizza is still exciting forkids.
So even like hey guys, you knowwhat you did great today, or I
don't know.
Whatever, we're going to have apizza party.
Pizza is like still king andpeople can't stop.
Speaker 2 (25:06):
Yes, we can always find a way.
We can always find a way.
So what advice do you have outthere for the teens who are
listening right now?
Speaker 3 (25:14):
For the teens, I would say just know, you control
your own narrative, and themission of the Shine Awards
Foundation is to change thenarrative of young people,
because, unfortunately, you guysare sometimes just blamed for
things that you had nothing todo with.
If there's a rising crime, it'sprobably teens.
If cars are being stolen in aneighborhood, it's probably a
group of teens.
So just know, though, that youhave the power to change your
(25:38):
own narrative.
Going back to the example I hadwhen talking to your parents or
teachers, let them know youknow I'm going to finish my
assignment and I would like tohang out with friends.
I'll be back in two hours andthen actually do what you say.
So that's what I would sayControl your own narrative.
Be your authentic self.
Don't try to pretend to besomeone you're not, and you will
(26:00):
be surprised of the impact thatnot only you will have with
yourself, but those who'swatching you.
Know that people are watchingyou, but know the impact that
you will have on yourself andthose who are watching you.
Speaker 2 (26:08):
Know people are watching you, um, but know the
impact that you have on yourselfand those who are watching you,
and I want to, I want to kindof piggyback off that a little
bit, especially the part aboutfollowing through with your
words.
Teens, if you, if you keep yourwords and as simple as that,
you just follow through withwhatever you say you're going to
do, at least make the besteffort that you can, because
sometimes things happen and youcan't.
But you at least mean the wordsyou say.
You try to follow, followthrough.
(26:29):
You'd be surprised you mightactually inspire the adults
around you.
I have seen that happen.
Speaker 3 (26:33):
That is so true.
I have a 10 year old nephew.
When he tells me, aunt, lana,I'm going to call you at 10 AM,
I believe him.
He's 10 years old and he doesexactly what he says he's going
to do as an adult.
When he tells me something, I'mlike he's he's going to do it.
So yeah, that and that also.
That also helps the narrative,because you show trust and
(26:56):
adults will trust you.
So that's that's actually agood point.
Speaker 2 (26:58):
Well, Orlando, it has been so awesome talking to you
and I thank you for coming on.
Speaker 3 (27:03):
Thank you so much for the invitation.
I really enjoyed theconversation and I hope your
audience enjoys it too.
Speaker 1 (27:20):
And now for a mind shifting moment, I want to
challenge you today.
Have you done anything latelyto encourage any youth around
you?
I'm talking to all of you, nomatter how old you are.
I'm talking to all of you, nomatter how old you are, even if
you are a teen.
Have you taken the time toencourage another teen, to lift
up our youth Adults,grandparents, teachers,
counselors, firemen have youtaken the time out to say
(27:44):
something positive to anyteenager?
I want to challenge everysingle one of you listening to
do that, no matter what countryor culture you are in.
That is something we can all do.
It matters.
It matters because they are ourfuture and their confidence is
(28:08):
going to make a difference onhow this world is run.
Encourage our youth today.
They matter.
Speaker 2 (28:19):
Thank you for listening.
Be sure to follow or subscribeto MindShift Power Podcast on
any of our worldwide platformsso you too can be a part of the
conversation that's changingyoung lives everywhere.
And always remember there'spower in shifting your thinking.
Welcome to MindShift Power Podcast the only
international podcast focused onteens, connecting young voices
and perspectives from around theworld.
Get ready to explore the issuesthat matter to today's youth
and shape tomorrow's world.
I'm your host, fatima Bey, theMindShifter, and welcome
(00:23):
everyone.
Today, we have with us OrlanaDawkins-Drewley.
She is out of Pittsburgh,pennsylvania, which is in the US
.
She is the CEO of Shine Networkand the creator of the Shine
Awards.
How are you?
Speaker 3 (00:35):
doing today?
Orlana, I am doing great.
Thank you for the opportunityto be with you today.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
I'm really excited to talk to you about what you're
doing, because I believe in itstrongly and I think that
everyone else will love you too.
Thank, you.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
So tell us.
What are the Shine Awards?
So the Shine Awards is anational premier award ceremony
that celebrates the positiveaccomplishments of young people
anywhere in the world betweenthe ages of 13 and 24.
Okay, and who do these awardsgo to?
Okay, and who do these awardsgo to?
So, again, the only requirementis that they're between the
ages of 13 and 24, and youngpeople can nominate themselves
(01:11):
or other people can nominatethem, and they can select from
nine categories, and oftentimes,as you know, our young people
are multi-talented, so a lot oftimes, young people are
nominated in one or morecategories.
Oh, okay, can you tell us whata few of those categories are?
Yes, so hopefully I get themall.
But we have the arts, and whenI say the arts, that could be
(01:34):
visual arts, performing arts.
So the arts, academics,community service, service and
ministry, entrepreneurship,young adult, group participation
, leadership, stem andovercoming obstacles.
Speaker 2 (01:50):
Oh, overcoming obstacles.
Speaker 3 (01:51):
Overcoming obstacles is normally a tearjerker.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
Yeah, I would imagine .
So that was probably the oneI'd be the most interested in,
because I think a lot of peopledeserve awards for overcoming
obstacles that don't getrecognized, and it's amazing too
, whenever and that categorysometimes is not fulfilled.
Speaker 3 (02:11):
And we also don't want to seem like you're
competing for overcomingobstacles, but when we do get
someone, a young person, thatshares their story, it is
amazing how, at a young age,some of these obstacles, it is
amazing how, at a young age,some of these obstacles whether
they're physical, environmental,but some of these obstacles
(02:32):
that young people are facing atsuch an early age and are
overcoming and being successfulat the age that they are.
So that's what makes it so.
I said it's a tearjerker, butit's also so inspirational and
motivational for not only theyoung people but the adults in
the audience.
Speaker 2 (02:49):
Absolutely.
Sometimes we as adults don'treally really recognize or
realize, I would say, just howmuch our youth today go through
that we did not go through atsuch an early age.
There's so much more abundanceof certain things that you know
we're like, oh, by 13, I didn'thave to deal with that.
Some of these kids are dealingwith what you didn't deal with
until 16.
Speaker 3 (03:09):
Exactly.
They're not, and that's why Isaid a lot of times it is such
an eye opener for adults becauseit's like man, like I'm 40.
And you've already experiencedsomething that maybe a 40 or 50
year old should experience inyour 18.
Something that maybe a 40 or 50year old should experience in
your 18.
Right, so let me be, and it'salso I mean, it's an award show,
but there's just these momentsof grounding where you're like
(03:31):
you know what.
Let me stop complaining.
Speaker 2 (03:34):
Yes, For real, for real.
It must be so exciting.
It's just exhilarating to handthose awards.
It is.
Speaker 3 (03:43):
It is we were only supposed to do it, my husband
and I, we were only supposed todo it one time.
We just wanted to prove a pointand really our point was just
to be proven in our city,Pittsburgh, pennsylvania, that
young people are doing greatthings and they should be
recognized and not overlooked.
And we were going to move on.
And just the impact and thetestimonies we received just
(04:04):
from the one show from adultsand the students, we thought,
okay, we'll do it just one moretime.
And now this is our 16th year.
So here we are, but, yes, it isso rewarding and it's that
reward that keeps me.
I mean it's hard.
I mean every year, every yearyou're, you're trying to raise
(04:25):
money, you're trying to get allthe things, but once you hear
the impact it makes, rewarding.
We're also glad, too, that theynicknamed it.
You know, a lot of times whenyou have your own business, you
come up with your own motto, butwe're excited that they gave us
one and they consider the ShineAwards the Grammys for teens.
So we're like we'll take that.
(04:46):
I love that.
Speaker 2 (04:46):
I love that.
I love that.
That is absolutely beautifuland you know what?
I think there needs to be morethings like that, and I'm going
to say that because in thisconversation I think it needs to
be mentioned.
Far too often we have a coupledifferent takes on awards when
it comes to our youth.
You have people like you thatare rewarding those who don't
normally get recognized.
(05:07):
That should be.
And then you have those who arelike oh, we're going to give
you an award for sneezing on aTuesday and it ruins.
It ruins the real reward,because now we're rewarding kids
for just existing, but whenthey get out there in the real
world, they ain't gettingrewarded for existing and we're
not preparing them for the realworld.
But you are recognizing themand I know that you have
physically seen the confidencebuild in some of these.
Speaker 3 (05:30):
First of all, so one thing I want to say is that we
spell shine with a Y, so it'sS-H-Y-N-E and, yes, you're
completely right.
So, yes, we do award some youngpeople who are used to being
awarded I mean, they'reexcellent, we can't deny them
that.
But our focus is to find thatunderdog, like that person who's
working but they're not beingrecognized.
(05:52):
So we always, when we'repromoting the Shine Awards,
we're like, you know, we're notlooking for the superstar, like
please nominate them, but wewant that person that you see,
that made a turnaround in theiracademics, that you see them
serving at their church, thatyou see them doing things in
their community.
And last year we startedintentionally going back to some
(06:14):
past honorees and just askingthem, you know, to share your
experience with the Shine Awards.
And every single one of themsaid it was their first award
and it gave them the confidenceto try new things.
And just one testimony comes tomind One young adult.
She was our academic honoree.
(06:35):
She said at the time now shesaid in high school she was
making straight A's but in hermind she wasn't worthy enough
for college.
And we ended up well, she endedup being nominated, she won the
academic award and now she'sgetting her PhD, but she told us
, if it wasn't for thatexperience of being seen and
seeing that there's other peoplelike her, she would have never
(06:57):
even applied to college or nowworking to get her PhD.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
Wow.
So I'm hearing the results ofwhat you're doing and confidence
building our youth is the mostpowerful thing that we can do as
adults, and that's what peopledon't realize.
It's not giving them stuff andgiving them knowledge they need
that too but giving themconfidence that surpasses
everything, because a person whodoesn't believe in themselves
will not even try Like you justsaid, they won't even try, and
(07:23):
if they won't even try, theycan't get to any kind of success
, not because they're incapable,but because they don't believe
that they can or that theyshould.
And building confidence in ouryouth and I love that you're
doing that.
I'm so passionate aboutbuilding confidence in our youth
because they desperately needit today, more than we do.
Speaker 3 (07:40):
You are so right.
A lot of times I am asked whatare some workplace tips you can
give our teens?
And I always say at this pointin their lives they don't need
workplace tips, they needconfidence.
Speaker 2 (07:51):
Thank, you Exactly.
The workplace tip is beconfident.
Speaker 3 (07:55):
So when you get to work, you do a good job, and
that's the thing thing like whyare we talking about work like
they need confidence to first ofall make it through school?
Yeah, then they can feelconfident to learn, to equip
themselves with the tools, thestrategies like it needs to
build.
We're so focused on thisworkplace mentality um that
(08:15):
we're skipping some foundationalthings like confidence kindness
self-worth.
We're skipping stuff and you'relike what are some workplace
tips?
No, I have some, but let's talkabout confidence and self-worth
and mindset.
Let's talk about that.
Speaker 2 (08:33):
Right, because all of that will make the workplace
tips useful.
It's no use 's no use.
It's like, kind of like givinginstruction on how to build a
rocket to a cat.
They're not going to do it.
And the thing is it's like.
It's like that when we don't,when our when we don't have
confidence, we show up asincompetent, although that may
(08:54):
not actually be true, becausesome of the most, some of those
intelligent people, when theydon't have confidence, I've seen
it, I've been there myself andthe building of the confidence
is so important.
So for adults who are out therelistening, who work with youth
because many of you listen tothis hear that If you work with
youth, just know when you beatthem down, you are not going to
get the best out of them, you'regoing to get the minimal at
(09:15):
most.
And when you build theconfidence, they will show up in
every area, including work, butnot just that.
Speaker 3 (09:22):
And I'm glad you said that, because even with the
teens that we work with, again,they're teens, so a lot of times
I mean we forget they've onlybeen on earth for like 16 years
or 18 years like it's not a longtime, but we expect them to
know so much.
But when we work with teens atthe Shine Awards Foundation.
So if there's something they dowrong, before we tell them that
(09:44):
part, we'll tell them somethingthey did right.
So we're glad that you gave herthe correct change back.
That was great, but next timewhen you give her the change,
say thank you, we look forwardto seeing you again.
Like you know, like correctthem within the compliment.
Speaker 2 (10:06):
Not like you didn't even say thank you.
You know, yeah, and that's thething.
Speaker 3 (10:08):
It's not just with teens when people come at us
like that, it's difficult toreally kind of listen to what
they have to say and even ifeverything is right, right,
right, exactly, tone Again.
Foundational things first, sowe'll add tone to the list.
How you approach somebody itreally does matter.
Speaker 2 (10:23):
And sometimes we got to check ourself because I know
I've been guilty of approachingpeople with a little bit too
much extra energy and in timespast and not even realize that I
was doing it because I have avery strong personality.
So sometimes that can comeacross as intimidating in
certain situations and I had togo oh, wait a minute.
And this is why it's soimportant that we listen to
(10:45):
feedback.
So what kind of feedback haveyou gotten from some of the
youth in your Shine Network?
Speaker 3 (10:51):
Yes.
So again, as I mentioned lastyear, we started intentionally
going back and asking them thequestion what did you think
about the Shine Awards?
How has it impacted you?
One young lady, she is anhonoree, she won in Clarksburg,
maryland.
She says that she's very shy,so she said she was super
nervous that she even when shefound out she won a Shine Awards
(11:14):
.
But she told us, because whenyou win a Shine Awards you have
to give a 30 second acceptancespeech.
So she said she was just like ahot mess, like a wreck, like oh
my God.
Yeah, I'm sure, I'm sure, butshe said the process of writing
down her remarks, walking to thepodium and reading her remarks.
(11:36):
She said that gave her practice.
It gave her confidence.
She said it was amazing howwhen I did it, she was like it
was 30 seconds, she's like, butit was amazing how when I did it
in the sense of accomplishmentI had in reading a 30 second
speech she's like I just like, Ifeel like I don't have to be
shy anymore, like I can justspeak and we're like, oh my gosh
(11:59):
, and so for us it's just a partof the show.
I never thought how certainfeatures in the show can have a
specific impact on young people.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
And that's what I was looking for.
I know that you have had animpact.
The Shine Awards, the ShineNetwork, has had an impact on
the youth that you have there.
I love that specific examplebecause we think of, we tend to
think of things sometimes what Icall too small, we think things
are nothing when they'reactually a big deal.
And especially if you've neverbeen in front of a crowd before,
(12:31):
that's a big deal.
That's a that's a big deal, nomatter what your age is.
That's a big deal.
And I remember the first time Iwas on tv I had a um, they did a
feature story on me because ofmy my business sewing wedding
gown and it was my first timebeing on being featured on tv,
like it was a feature and I'mlike, oh my god.
So I tried not to be nervous andI and it didn't show, but I
(12:53):
actually kind of was, you know,because it's my first time, it
was such a big deal and I justremember how I felt and I can
only imagine how you know andI've been in front of crowds
before, but it was just not thatbig of a presentation.
It is a very big deal.
So I love that you are givingthem the confidence.
And again, I want for theadults out there listening to
(13:14):
understand that that is the mostimportant thing you can do, not
that you should stop doing theother things you're doing
teaching and correcting thatneeds to be done too but
building of the confidence needsto be coupled with it, because
if you're not buildingconfidence, you're really just
roboting them, and they're notrobots, and that always works
against them, and whatever worksagainst them works against you,
(13:34):
because they're going to betaking care of you when you're
old and they don't know how todo nothing because they never
had enough confidence to try.
Speaker 3 (13:42):
I just had a conversation yesterday, as a
matter of fact, and we weretalking about how parents,
aunties, teachers, uncles but wewere specifically talking about
parents, how parents get intoyou know, I mean, it's their,
it's their baby.
They want to fix it, they wantto prevent things from happening
to them, they don't want themto hurt, so they'll jump in to
(14:03):
solve it and not provide theopportunity for it to be a
learning experience.
And then when I talk to teens, Itell them too that they also
have the power to control theirown narrative.
So it's not always just on theparents and the aunties and the
guardians.
You have the power to controlyour narrative.
So, for example, instead ofsaying can I hang up with my
(14:24):
friends tonight, it should bewhen I finish my homework can I
hang up with my friends for twohours at the mall?
Because that demonstratesresponsibility.
You gave information who yourfriends are, you gave a time
time limit and then this is thecrucial part I tell them you
have to do what you say, sodon't come back two and a half
(14:45):
hours later.
You said two hours, but thisshows the parent, guardian,
teacher like, oh, they'reresponsible, they can make
decisions, they can be trusted.
So it's a two-.
Street.
I think sometimes we put a lotof pressure on ourselves as
guardians, as teachers and asmentors, and I think we should
kind of shed the light on theyoung person too.
(15:07):
Like you play a role in this,you play a role in how all this
works out at the house or atschool.
So you control your narrativetoo.
Speaker 2 (15:17):
And I love that you're teaching them that and
that's so important.
And if we approach youth in away that's respectful to them,
they will usually listen to us,no matter what you look like, no
matter what your race is, nomatter how old you are.
Those things can play into howthey receive you too, but they
fall into the background withhow you treat them.
When you treat them withrespect, they're more inclined
(15:39):
to hear what you have to say,because I hear adults.
They have great things to sayand they're totally right about
what they're saying, but they'retotally wrong in their approach
and that's why they get it.
Speaker 3 (15:48):
I'm sorry, did I cut you off?
No, go ahead, which.
I just want to co-sign whatyou're saying.
And this happened to me Now,this was last year, but it was
this huge youth conference and Ihad to pass out these blank
name tags.
And so I was passing out theseblank name tags and the young
man wrote his name too large.
(16:10):
There wasn't enough space onthe name tag, so he asked for
another one.
So he was like, can I haveanother one?
So I was like, oh sure, hereyou go and, just you know, took
the other one and he said, wow,thanks for being so nice about
it.
And I thought, wow, like, whatreaction is he used to?
Speaker 2 (16:29):
Yeah, no, for real, for real, and he probably was
very legitimate with that?
Speaker 3 (16:33):
That shocked me.
He's like, wow, thanks forbeing so nice about it.
And then one other thing I um Imentioned to you off camera
like I love to walk, um, so Iwas taking a walk and I took a
moment to sit on a bench.
There was three young men kindof like about to walk past me,
um, so I just said, hey, howy'all doing.
And so two of them said, uh,yeah, you're good, you know,
whatever.
(16:54):
But the one who didn't speaksaid thanks for saying hi to us.
And that blew me away too,because I also am around adults
that say you know, kids, whenthey walk in a room with adults,
they need to speak.
But then, as adults, do wespeak to kids?
Speaker 2 (17:11):
Exactly no for real.
So that was an eye opener to me.
Speaker 3 (17:15):
So I'm like oh my gosh.
He said thank you for speakingto us.
Speaker 2 (17:20):
Let's take a deep dive into what you just said,
because I think this reallydrives home what I was talking
about.
If a person is, if a youth isfeeling like that, if a person
is feeling like I'm not worthsaying hello to, I'm not worth
addressing, how are theysupposed to be confident and go
for the job and career thatthey're supposed to go for?
How are they supposed to beconfident and go for anything in
life when they're not wortheven saying hello to Adults?
(17:46):
I want y'all to think aboutthat because the deeper dive
into.
That is what it does to someonepsychologically I'm not worth it
.
And when we send that messagethrough our actions and that's
just one of many actions when wecorrect them without adding the
good stuff, withoutacknowledging the good it's not
that the correction shouldn't bethere, it should.
But, as Orlando was saying, yougot to acknowledge the good too
, because what you're, themessage you're constantly
sending over and over again, isyou ain't nothing but a little
(18:09):
little pipsqueak, a littlewhatever and get out of my way
You're in.
What that says is I'm not worthanything.
Well, if we constantly receivethat message over and over again
, repetition is what teaches ushumans.
Anything we receive over andover again we tend to believe.
So it's very important, adultswho are listening, that we
recognize our youth in the waysand in any kind of way that we
(18:30):
can and what's effective forthem.
So you know, recognizingsomeone that is disciplined with
their time, who's alreadydisciplined with their time
every single day.
And it's like not a thought forthem that might not give them
an ego boost, but for someonewho came from a household where
it's always chaos and they don'tunderstand organization because
they weren't raised with it.
Speaker 3 (18:54):
And then they start to be organized.
Well, that's effort and that'sa big step for them.
Recognize that, say something,and you figure, too, I was a
stranger.
So imagine the impact if it'ssomeone they know their teacher,
their parent, their aunt, theircousin, like I was a stranger
and that impacted them.
Speaker 2 (19:06):
Yeah, yeah, and I've gotten similar responses from
youth when I go to schools andjust in other things, and it
really bothers me, not that theyouth bothers me, but it bothers
me that they're so mistreatedthat just to me what's normal is
special and it shouldn't be.
It should just be an everydaything for them.
(19:27):
So, going back to the awardswhen do they happen?
Speaker 3 (19:31):
They are the first Sunday in August every year, so
this year the date is Sunday,August 3rd.
We have a glitzy red carpetexperience that starts at 5 pm
and the award ceremony begins at6 pm.
Speaker 2 (19:46):
Nice, and how can people do people travel there
physically for it?
Yes, yes, we're so excited whenwe first started.
Speaker 3 (19:55):
That's why it's important to have your own
sometimes your own motivation,because not everyone's going to
cheer for you.
When we first started, peoplewere like no one's going to come
to Pittsburgh for the ShineAwards and my husband and I
actually believed that for areally long time.
We're like no one's going tocome to Pittsburgh for the Shine
Awards and my husband and Iactually believed that for a
really long time.
We're like no one's going tocome.
But they are showing up andit's awesome.
(20:18):
So we've awarded people from DC, texas, new Jersey, west
Virginia, ohio, just to name afew, kentucky.
But yes, it's great to seefamilies travel into our city
and experience it and becelebrated again in front of
(20:39):
people that they don't even know.
Also, during the red carpet wehave media sponsors.
So that's another publicspeaking opportunity that we let
them know in advance because wedon't want anyone freaking out
on the carpet.
But we have radio stationsinterview them on the red carpet
and there's photographs.
But they really truly are thestars that night.
(21:03):
Even before and after the showwe do kind of like a media tour
for those who are availablebecause they're students so
sometimes they can't get out ofschool, but there's some media
involved.
But they are a star and we workto stay in touch with them
really throughout their wholelife.
Like it's not, like you get aShine Awards and we disappear,
like we're still.
We want you to tell us allabout your successes and
(21:24):
interviews.
Speaker 1 (21:25):
That is awesome.
Speaker 3 (21:26):
Yeah, it's really nice.
I call them.
I don't think all of them knowthis, but I call them my shine
babies.
Speaker 2 (21:34):
Well, wait a minute, you get a red carpet treatment.
Okay, can I be 15 and get one,right?
Speaker 3 (21:38):
Yeah, If you can transform yourself to 15.
I do have adults trying to walkthis red carpet.
I'm like it's for the kids.
Speaker 2 (21:51):
But, but, but you know I I challenge you sometimes
.
Does that count?
No, no.
But I really love that you'redoing this and that you.
It's very clear you guys haveput a lot of thought into every
detail of it.
Do they get a plaque?
Do they get like a trophy?
Speaker 3 (22:06):
They get a very nice heavy glass trophy.
They also get a financialstipend, and then they might get
something else this year, butit's not confirmed yet, so they
might get something else, butdefinitely they'll get a
financial stipend and a niceheavy glass shine award.
Speaker 2 (22:25):
I love that.
I love that.
Oh my God, that's so awesome.
So how?
How can people nominate a youth, or how can youth nominate
themselves?
Speaker 3 (22:33):
So the Shine Award, so nominations for this year are
closed.
However, we do keep nominationsopen all year round so you can
still nominate.
You will get a reply on nextsteps, but you just visit our
website, which is the shineawardsorg, and we spell shine
(22:56):
with a Y.
Speaker 2 (22:56):
And it'll be in the show notes as well.
So in the podcast descriptionit'll be at the end, it'll be in
the middle of it, but there'llbe links there so that you all
can sign up.
So before we go, I want, forsome of the adults out there who
work with youth or parents, andthey love what you're doing and
listening and I mean this isinternational.
So, whether they're in Zimbabweor California listening to what
(23:19):
you're saying, they're inspiredand they want to recognize the
youth in their town and theircity and their village.
What advice do you have forthem?
Speaker 3 (23:26):
Yes, my advice would be start where you are, use what
you have, because, although I'mtalking about a national
premier award ceremony, you maynot have the resources to do
that ways to recognize youngpeople.
(23:46):
It could be a quarterlyrecognition where they get a
certificate, or maybe there wasa school that did a program
where if they caught someonedoing something good so maybe
they held the door open for ateacher or they picked up some
litter in the hallway they gotsome type of award of some sort
(24:08):
or some type of recognition.
So it doesn't have to be anexpensive, glitzy award ceremony
.
It could be small efforts thatreally make an impact in a young
person's life.
It could be as small as adinner.
It could be as small as adinner, fatima, I think I'm not
sure if I told you this, but Igot a phone call from someone
that said a teenager just askedcan I have a warm meal and a hug
(24:32):
?
That was her request.
So sometimes you're right,sometimes it's a dinner.
Speaker 2 (24:36):
You'd be surprised.
Yeah, just just come over andwe're going to make some stewed
chicken and rice and cornbreador whatever.
Now I'm getting hungry, youknow, and we just want to
recognize that you did betterthis semester.
It could be your next doorneighbor.
Something is simple.
Speaker 3 (24:52):
And even pizza.
Pizza is still exciting forkids.
So even like hey guys, you knowwhat you did great today, or I
don't know.
Whatever, we're going to have apizza party.
Pizza is like still king andpeople can't stop.
Speaker 2 (25:06):
Yes, we can always find a way.
We can always find a way.
So what advice do you have outthere for the teens who are
listening right now?
Speaker 3 (25:14):
For the teens, I would say just know, you control
your own narrative, and themission of the Shine Awards
Foundation is to change thenarrative of young people,
because, unfortunately, you guysare sometimes just blamed for
things that you had nothing todo with.
If there's a rising crime, it'sprobably teens.
If cars are being stolen in aneighborhood, it's probably a
group of teens.
So just know, though, that youhave the power to change your
(25:38):
own narrative.
Going back to the example I hadwhen talking to your parents or
teachers, let them know youknow I'm going to finish my
assignment and I would like tohang out with friends.
I'll be back in two hours andthen actually do what you say.
So that's what I would sayControl your own narrative.
Be your authentic self.
Don't try to pretend to besomeone you're not, and you will
(26:00):
be surprised of the impact thatnot only you will have with
yourself, but those who'swatching you.
Know that people are watchingyou, but know the impact that
you will have on yourself andthose who are watching you.
Speaker 2 (26:08):
Know people are watching you, um, but know the
impact that you have on yourselfand those who are watching you,
and I want to, I want to kindof piggyback off that a little
bit, especially the part aboutfollowing through with your
words.
Teens, if you, if you keep yourwords and as simple as that,
you just follow through withwhatever you say you're going to
do, at least make the besteffort that you can, because
sometimes things happen and youcan't.
But you at least mean the wordsyou say.
You try to follow, followthrough.
(26:29):
You'd be surprised you mightactually inspire the adults
around you.
I have seen that happen.
Speaker 3 (26:33):
That is so true.
I have a 10 year old nephew.
When he tells me, aunt, lana,I'm going to call you at 10 AM,
I believe him.
He's 10 years old and he doesexactly what he says he's going
to do as an adult.
When he tells me something, I'mlike he's he's going to do it.
So yeah, that and that also.
That also helps the narrative,because you show trust and
(26:56):
adults will trust you.
So that's that's actually agood point.
Speaker 2 (26:58):
Well, Orlando, it has been so awesome talking to you
and I thank you for coming on.
Speaker 3 (27:03):
Thank you so much for the invitation.
I really enjoyed theconversation and I hope your
audience enjoys it too.
Speaker 1 (27:20):
And now for a mind shifting moment, I want to
challenge you today.
Have you done anything latelyto encourage any youth around
you?
I'm talking to all of you, nomatter how old you are.
I'm talking to all of you, nomatter how old you are, even if
you are a teen.
Have you taken the time toencourage another teen, to lift
up our youth Adults,grandparents, teachers,
counselors, firemen have youtaken the time out to say
(27:44):
something positive to anyteenager?
I want to challenge everysingle one of you listening to
do that, no matter what countryor culture you are in.
That is something we can all do.
It matters.
It matters because they are ourfuture and their confidence is
(28:08):
going to make a difference onhow this world is run.
Encourage our youth today.
They matter.
Speaker 2 (28:19):
Thank you for listening.
Be sure to follow or subscribeto MindShift Power Podcast on
any of our worldwide platformsso you too can be a part of the
conversation that's changingyoung lives everywhere.
And always remember there'spower in shifting your thinking.
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