Today, August 12, marks International Youth Day 2024, celebrated under the theme “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development.”
With the expansion of technologies like mobile devices, digital platforms, and AI, young people—often dubbed “digital natives”—are at the forefront of this transformation.
Here are some young Black and Brown individuals making waves in their communities and beyond.
Taylor Denise Richardson, 20 – STEM Advocate and Future Astronaut
Image credit: Inspirefest HQ
Richardson, also known as “Astronaut StarBright,” is from Jacksonville, Florida, and has been advocating for diversity in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields since she was young.
She has raised thousands of dollars to send girls to see “A Wrinkle in Time” and attend STEM camps, inspiring the next generation of female scientists and astronauts.
Gitanjali Rao, 18 – Inventor and Scientist
Image credit: Sharif Hamza for TIME
Rao, originally from Denver, Colorado, gained national recognition when she was named Time’s Kid of the Year in 2020.
A young innovator with a focus on technology-driven solutions for societal problems, Gitanjali has developed several apps and devices, including a lead detection tool for water safety and a platform to counter cyberbullying.
Marley Dias, 19 – Literacy Advocate and Author
Image credit: Marley Dias
Dias, from New Jersey, is the founder of the #1000BlackGirlBooks campaign, which she started at age 11 to increase diversity in children’s literature.
Her campaign has collected over 13,000 books featuring Black girls as protagonists.
Marley continues to advocate for diversity in media and literature through digital platforms.
Joshua Williams, 22 – Founder of Joshua’s Heart Foundation
Image credit: Pass It On
Williams, from Miami, Florida, founded Joshua’s Heart Foundation at the age of 5 to tackle hunger and poverty.
His organization uses digital platforms to coordinate volunteers, distribute food, and advocate for sustainable community development, impacting thousands of lives.
Zuriel Oduwole, 21 – Filmmaker and Girls’ Education Advocate
Image credit: Thomas Bethencourt
Oduwole, born in Los Angeles to Nigerian-American parents, has been making films since she was 9 and has interviewed over 30 world leaders about education and women’s rights.
She uses her platform to promote girls’ education and is a strong advocate for using digital media to amplify social causes.
Feature Image Credit: Taylor Richardson
