Category Archives: Community contributors

Makwei Mabioor Deng

Posted on November 2, 2009 by Stephen Walsh

[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/11/02/art.makwei.jpg caption=”Scholarship winner Makwei Mabioor Deng, 23, plans to return to his Sudanese homeland to practice law.”] Two years ago, Makwei Mabioor Deng had never seen a computer or a library full of books. For 16 years he … Continue reading →

Posted in Community contributors, Social reformers, Stereotype busters, Unsung hero, Worldwide reach | 2 Comments

Carolina Correa

Posted on October 12, 2009 by Nicole Lapin

[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/10/12/art.boys.girls.club.jpg caption=”Carolina Correa, 19, is the first Latina to win the award.”] Carolina Correa is poised beyond her years. When I meet her, she is fresh- faced and enthusiastic. She walks with an entourage for the first time … Continue reading →

Posted in Community contributors, Stereotype busters, Under 20 | 11 Comments

Brittany Merrill

Posted on September 21, 2009 by Stephen Walsh

[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/09/21/art.tiffany.jpg caption=”Brittany Marrill founded the Ugandan American Partnership Organization to help Ugandan families.”] At first glance, it’s hard to see how a pretty college student from a good home in Georgia and a poor, young mother in a … Continue reading →

Posted in Community contributors, Social reformers, Worldwide reach | 28 Comments

Felice Gorordo

Posted on August 3, 2009 by Stephen Walsh

[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/08/03/art.raices.jpg caption=”Felice Gorordo, 26, co-founded Roots of Hope to help foster dialogue between Cubans and Americans.”] When Felice Gorordo imagines a “perfect Cuba,” he sees young people able to gather in front of their school and discuss issues … Continue reading →

Posted in Community contributors, Worldwide reach | 14 Comments

Lexi Lehrman

Posted on July 27, 2009 by Stephen Walsh

[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/07/27/art.lehrman.jpg caption=”Lexi Lehrman, 11, has raised $25,000 for breast cancer research.”] I recently wrote about young women tackling breast cancer early on. Never did I imagine there could be a female younger than her 20s thinking and talking … Continue reading →

Posted in Community contributors, Under 20, Unsung hero | 26 Comments

Jaclyn Murphy

Posted on June 22, 2009 by Stephen Walsh

[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/06/22/art.jacyln1.jpg caption=”Jaclyn Murphy, 14, and her dad started the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation to match ill children with sports teams.”] Clad in Wildcat purple, you’d think she was another player . Jaclyn Murphy, 14, is too young to … Continue reading →

Posted in Community contributors, Under 20 | 51 Comments

Josh Shipp

Posted on June 15, 2009 by Stephen Walsh

[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/06/14/art.webb.jpg caption=”Josh Shipp, 28, dishes out ‘advice with attitude’ to teens.”] Our generation doesn’t have a “Dear Abby,” but we do have a “Hey, Josh.” Josh Shipp offers up “advice with attitude” to Generation Y. He says he … Continue reading →

Posted in Community contributors | 48 Comments

Jordan Coleman

Posted on June 8, 2009 by Stephen Walsh

[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/06/08/art.jordan.jpg caption=”Jordan Coleman, 13, funded the documentary ‘Say It Loud’ to make a positive impact on his community.”] Jordan’s friends want to be the next Michael Jordan or rap star. But Jordan wants young African-American boys like him … Continue reading →

Posted in Amazing talents, Community contributors, Entertainer, Under 20 | 36 Comments

Matt Certner

Posted on June 1, 2009 by Stephen Walsh

[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/06/01/art.certner.jpg caption=”Matt Certner, 18, founded the Sports Clinic for Children with Special Needs.”] Mikey and Matt were best friends. They vacationed together, they played sports together. But when Mikey was diagnosed with autism, the dynamics changed. “Particularly when … Continue reading →

Posted in Community contributors, Stereotype busters, Under 20 | 20 Comments

Neelanjana Banerjee

Posted on May 25, 2009 by Stephen Walsh

[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/05/25/ypwr_banerjee.art.jpg caption=”Neelanjana Banerjee, 30, is editor of YO! Youth Outlook Media.”] I remember sitting in journalism class in college and hearing the professor say, “It’s about giving a voice to the voiceless.” I never forgot it, because it … Continue reading →

Posted in Community contributors, Social reformers | 19 Comments