From Shy to Strong

When I first started middle school, I never saw myself as a leader. I was shy and often thought leadership was only for the outgoing, the popular, or the ones who already had it all together. Back then, I believed leaders were born, not made.

But through my own growth and experiences, I realized leadership is something you can build. That realization is part of what inspired me to start ROOTS, a space where youth like me could grow into leaders in their own unique way.

Leadership is More Than Popularity

At ROOTS, leadership is not about titles or popularity—it's about service and impact. We believe:

• Leadership is listening and lifting others up
• Leadership is about taking action, not just having a spotlight
• Leadership is more about heart than about image

How We Build Leaders at ROOTS

That's why we've built programs that help young people step into leadership with confidence:

Real Transformations

I've seen so many amazing transformations. One ROOTS member who was always quiet and unsure of herself volunteered to co-host a cultural storytelling event after just a few months in our mentorship circles. At the end, she told me, "I didn't know I could do this until ROOTS gave me the chance."

Watching her grow reminded me why this work matters.

What Kind of Leader Are You Becoming?

If you're reading this, here's something to think about: what kind of leader are you becoming? It doesn't start with a title or a big stage. It starts with simple actions:

• Helping a classmate with homework
• Starting a conversation with someone who feels left out
• Volunteering to support an event
• Taking initiative, even in small ways

Those little choices are what grow into strong leadership.