“It is so valuable to create platforms like these books to amplify voices that we don’t regularly hear, and to have opportunities for people to listen. And then, for our students to be able to connect and say, ‘That’s me. I can do that.’”

“I remember at first I was like, ‘I don’t have a story. I don’t know what to tell.’ But then [the writing process] made me realize I have a lot of stories to tell — stories that can be powerful and inspire other youth like myself.”

“During this experience I realized that my story impacted everyone I came across. To have college students and professors admiring me because I continue to persevere shows me that despite my age, I’m teaching those older than me that everyone’s story matters.”