This web site reflects my longstanding passion for worldwide travel, global issues and activism.
I have traveled extensively and interacted with people from many different cultures, including former child soldiers (Uganda), a witch doctor (Uganda), reformed gorilla poachers (Uganda and Rwanda), children of the Amazon rainforest (Peru), Maasai tribespeople (Tanzania), village schoolchildren (South Africa), and farm workers (Ecuador). As a result, I have seen many global issues firsthand: poverty, hunger, lack of access to clean water or sanitary conditions, homelessness, and lack of access to education. My interactions with people in these and many other worldwide locations have inspired me to change the world for the better.
Since the eighth grade, I have focused my school projects on international issues to educate my teachers and fellow students and motivate them to get involved. During my Sophomore year of high school, I conducted two extensive experiments in water quality and purification methods in Africa, brought in a human rights activist to speak at my high school, and moderated a panel of human rights speakers for my local community.
During my Junior year of high school, I constructed a plan to address poverty in Toledo and created a current issues club (CLIIC). I also founded Bands4Change, a socially-conscious company that hosts concert events and donates 100% of profits to charities. I currently serve as the Chief Executive Officer of Bands4Change.
As a high school Junior, I also traveled with graduate students to Uganda and Rwanda in a two week poverty immersion program designed to understand the factors that lead to poverty and explore innovative solutions to solving some of these issues. I presented my conclusions and suggestions to my teachers, fellow students, and the local community.
The summer before my Senior year, I took a college class at Cornell University. During my Social Entrepreneurship class, I learned the fundamental principles for solving problems, fostering innovation, and creating social change. My group and I conceived, designed, and developed a Big Idea for Social Change to address a current issue and presented it together to our professor and classmates.
The same summer, I published a book to inspire people to become leaders for social change. My book, "Off the Beaten Path: My Roundabout Journey to Humanitarianism", is available at Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.com.
As a high school Senior, I created an independent study to learn the step-by-step process of planning and hosting a concert event for my company, Bands4Change. I also created a second independent study to profile people in poverty in India. In January 2017, I traveled for three weeks interviewing people in slums and touring NGOs in India. My goal was to replace the vague concept of "poverty" in people's minds with real people and their stories.
On January 27, 2017 my company, Bands4Change, held a fundraising concert with pop sensation Kesha. More than 1,500 people attended my company's inaugural event. All profits from this concert will be donated to the three charities Kesha has selected: Humane Society International, National Eating Disorder Association, and Rape Abuse & Incest National Network. As CEO of Bands4Change, I plan to hold a concert every year, and I am already working towards securing another artist for our 2018 concert!
I would like the sum of my work to make a difference in the world.
Since the eighth grade, I have focused my school projects on international issues to educate my teachers and fellow students and motivate them to get involved. During my Sophomore year of high school, I conducted two extensive experiments in water quality and purification methods in Africa, brought in a human rights activist to speak at my high school, and moderated a panel of human rights speakers for my local community.
During my Junior year of high school, I constructed a plan to address poverty in Toledo and created a current issues club (CLIIC). I also founded Bands4Change, a socially-conscious company that hosts concert events and donates 100% of profits to charities. I currently serve as the Chief Executive Officer of Bands4Change.
As a high school Junior, I also traveled with graduate students to Uganda and Rwanda in a two week poverty immersion program designed to understand the factors that lead to poverty and explore innovative solutions to solving some of these issues. I presented my conclusions and suggestions to my teachers, fellow students, and the local community.
The summer before my Senior year, I took a college class at Cornell University. During my Social Entrepreneurship class, I learned the fundamental principles for solving problems, fostering innovation, and creating social change. My group and I conceived, designed, and developed a Big Idea for Social Change to address a current issue and presented it together to our professor and classmates.
The same summer, I published a book to inspire people to become leaders for social change. My book, "Off the Beaten Path: My Roundabout Journey to Humanitarianism", is available at Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.com.
As a high school Senior, I created an independent study to learn the step-by-step process of planning and hosting a concert event for my company, Bands4Change. I also created a second independent study to profile people in poverty in India. In January 2017, I traveled for three weeks interviewing people in slums and touring NGOs in India. My goal was to replace the vague concept of "poverty" in people's minds with real people and their stories.
On January 27, 2017 my company, Bands4Change, held a fundraising concert with pop sensation Kesha. More than 1,500 people attended my company's inaugural event. All profits from this concert will be donated to the three charities Kesha has selected: Humane Society International, National Eating Disorder Association, and Rape Abuse & Incest National Network. As CEO of Bands4Change, I plan to hold a concert every year, and I am already working towards securing another artist for our 2018 concert!
I would like the sum of my work to make a difference in the world.