<div>Support 15-year-old Alena's Journey in her Ph.D. &amp; Medical Research
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Hi Everyone,
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Normally, I am crowdfunding and raising money for everyone else. This time, <strong>I need some help</strong>. For those of you who don't know me, and for those who have followed my journey, thank you. My name is Alena, I am 15 years old and a student at <em>Loma Linda University Medical School</em>. I am a PhD student majoring in Integrated Biological Sciences with a focus on Inflammation, Immunity &amp; Immunology. I am on a stipend, but unfortunately, they don't cover all of my expenses such as housing and transportation, travel for internships, and my tutoring services. <strong>I have some immediate needs</strong>.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>I recently graduated with my Master's Degree in Biology, receiving the Dean's Medal, which is the highest honor at Arizona State University.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>I have had so many unexpected expenses including relocating to a new state for school. Your help and support will help me tremendously.</strong>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>I would truly appreciate any help in this new phase of my journey. I am also thankful for everyone that has supported me this far and for my mom, a single mom who has supported every single one of my dreams. I would not be where I am today without my mom's sacrifices. <strong>Will you help me get to the next phase of my career?</strong>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Thank you for your help and support!
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>xoxoxo
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Lena
</div>

Support 15-year-old Alena's Journey at LLU Medical School

<div><br />
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Dear Friends and Supporters,
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>My name is Mandie, and I am a senior History (Pre-Law) major at Spelman College. I am also a creative artist who loves to share positive posts on social media under the name MandaPandie.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>On March 19, 2024, my life changed dramatically when I was involved in a severe bike accident on the campus of Clark Atlanta University. I do not recall the events of that day; all I remember is riding my bike back to my dorm and then waking up in Grady Hospital.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>The impact was devastating. I suffered a skull fracture, three subdural hematoma brain bleeds, and significant injuries, including scratches across my body. I spent five days in the intensive care unit, where my memories are blurred and fragmented. Fortunately, I was able to contact my parents, who drove from Chicago to be by my side during this terrifying time.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>As a first-generation college student and the only person in my family to pursue a prestigious college degree, I am determined to graduate in June 2025 despite the ongoing challenges from my traumatic brain injury. Each day is a struggle; I often take pictures to help me remember things, check my class schedule multiple times, and rely on my phone to know what day it is.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>My parents have made incredible sacrifices for my education. They are now considering selling their home and business in Illinois to support me through this difficult journey. It breaks my heart to see them face this burden, and I want to do everything I can to alleviate their struggles.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>I am reaching out through this GoFundMe to seek your support—not just for me, but for my family as well. <strong>Your contributions will help cover medical expenses, therapy, and living costs, allowing me to focus on my recovery and education without placing additional stress on my parents.</strong>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>I am grateful to be alive, having had only a 28% chance of survival after my accident. I am determined to push through the pain, but I cannot do it alone. <strong>I am stepping out on faith, hoping for a brighter future, and asking for your help to ensure that my family's sacrifices are not in vain.</strong>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Your generosity means the world to me.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>With heartfelt gratitude,
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>TreManda “Mandie” Pewett
</div>
<div>Spelman College Class of 2025
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Please feel free to contact my college directly for donations toward my tuition &amp; other students in need. “Spelman College”
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>If you would like to know more about me, please reach out through GoFundMe.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Thank you!
</div>

Support Mandie's Recovery and Education

<div>Aloha, it's Havana aka The Tiny Diplomat.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>I am student in Kailua, Hawai'i on the island of Oahu, and our Girls Have Rights non-profit team is collaborating with our <a href="https://www.bgch.com/windward/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Boys and Girls Club- Windward Clubhouse</a> to raise funds to take 100 members to see the movie <strong>Moana 2 on December 14th, 2024</strong>.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>I am a paddler for Lanikai Canoe Club and seeing a character like Moana with her paddle, her lei po'o, pet chicken HeiHei, and yelling cheehoo for the world to see is so important for so many keiki (youth) on our island.
</div><img class="text-editor_textEditorImage__43_GE" alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/83927605_1730949651974318_r." width="100%" />
<div>Hey y'all, it's Taylor aka Astronaut Starbright
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>You may have seen one of my many fundraisers like Hidden Figures, A Wrinkle in Time, The Little Mermaid, and Captain Marvel before.
</div><img class="text-editor_textEditorImage__43_GE" alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/83927605_1731030773499759_r." width="100%" />
<div>In the past 10 years through my movie challenges, <strong>I have raised nearly $200,000 to advocate for young kids</strong>, especially young girls, to see a hero that looks like them, showing that they too can overcome obstacles and shape their own futures.
</div><img class="text-editor_textEditorImage__43_GE" alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/83927605_1730950031122144_r." width="100%" />
<div>Our amazing Girls Have Rights team chose this project for <a href="https://www.givingtuesday.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Giving Tuesday</a> because it is meaningful and critical to celebrate Polynesian culture through representation on the big screen. Additionally, the Moana movie continues the legacy of empowering girls to dream even bigger than they think possible.
</div><img class="text-editor_textEditorImage__43_GE" alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/83927605_1730949206754252_r." width="100%" />
<div>Taylor and Havana have both been given so much from our experiences at the Boys and Girls Club in our communities and it's an honor to pay it forward with this project.
</div><img class="text-editor_textEditorImage__43_GE" alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/83927605_1731030728642569_r." width="100%" />
<div>The mission of <a href="https://www.girlshaverights.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Girls Have Rights</a> is to empower and uplift girls around the world, and Moana's character honors that mission perfectly.
</div><img class="text-editor_textEditorImage__43_GE" alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/83927605_1730918625103991_r." width="100%" />
<div>We will be taking Boys and Girls Club members to see the movie at Kailua Theaters, so the money raised will go towards movie tickets and transportation.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Every $ counts; <strong>donating just $10 allows us to buy 1 ticket for a student to enjoy</strong> our celebration.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>If we are able to raise extra funds, they will be donated to the five other Boys and Girls Clubs on the island so that as many keiki can enjoy the movie as possible.
</div>
<div>(Nanakuli, Kapa'a, Honolulu, Waianae, Ewa Beach)
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Mahalo nui loa and thank you for your support.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>**Donations can also be made on our <a href="https://www.girlshaverights.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Girls Have Rights</a> website or Venmo @ <a href="https://account.venmo.com/u/girlshaverights" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">girlsrightsorg</a>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>#moana2challenge</strong>
</div>

Send Boys and Girls Club Hawaii to Moana 2

<div>It’s Taylor aka Astronaut Starbright! I am back with another challenge and this time I’m bringing my mom along to help me! It is called Black Books Matter Challenge! 
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Through my Taylor Take Flight with a Book Drive that I started when I was 10 years old, I have collected and donated over 25,000 books to families, organizations, libraries and communities across the nation. 
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Yet across the nation, the voices of LGBTQ, black men, black women, trans children, the history of slavery in America, and crucial reproductive health stories and health inequities in general to name a few are being stifled. In the face of censorship, I am standing tall (and on some shoulders of some great authors who I will share as the campaign grows) and committed to dismantling the barriers that hinder knowledge and empathy. Supporting this challenge is not just about placing books; you are helping plant seeds of understanding and fostering a sense of belonging.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>The challenge is simple to educate the masses and bring Black Literature, Black stories, Black Joy, Black History to your neighborhoods! This includes purchasing books about figures in Black history and non-fiction or fiction novels written by Black authors including supporting Black owned bookstores.   
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>I am turning 21 this July so my goal is a big one! $21,000! I hope to raise this money to not only start in my hometown this summer of Jacksonville, Florida, yet, travel to other cities/states and partner with local Black authors there as well.  And yes if you feel inspired to do the same in your neighborhood, by all means create your own challenge and join us!  
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Because our children, young people AND grown-ups need access to books with a range of cultures, stories and languages.  Now more than ever! In this day and age the fact that our young people are still not accessing the books they need, with characters that look like them is appalling.  
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>As an actionist, I vow to never stop working for change and improvement in education. Representation and inclusion means everything to me.  Please join me (and my mom) on this challenge of censorship and amplify the voices that have been unjustly silenced. It is not just about books; it's about liberating stories, promoting understanding, and empowering communities.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Your support and contribution means bringing necessary stories to deprived communities, fostering inclusivity, and challenging the status quo. With your help, we'll curate a collection of books that speak to the heart of our mission. 
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>What Your Contribution Accomplishes
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>* Book Curation: Your support will enable us to carefully select books that have been censored due to their content, ensuring a diverse and impactful collection. And with your funding, we will donate to little libraries.
</div>
<div>* Community Engagement: By accepting this challenge and donating we will be able to reach a global audience, spreading awareness about the importance of these censored narratives, and promoting inclusivity.
</div>
<div>* Logistics: Your support will help us cover our costs to bring these those who need them most- things like shipping, flights, accomodations, and installations. 
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Your contribution is not just an investment it's an investment in a more compassionate and understanding world, collectively shaping a brighter future by challenging censorship and providing access to these marginalized voices.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>So hope you will join me in this transformative endeavor. Your support funds plants seeds of change, helping pave the way for a more inclusive and empathetic society. Together, we can make a difference—one story at a time.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>You ready! You’ve been challenged! 
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Taylor and Mom 
</div>
<div><br />
</div>

#BlackBooksMatterChallenge

<div>Our Back 2 School Jamboree is back!
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>This is my 7th year co sponsoring this event with Alpha Starz and this year will make its 11th year supplying backpacks and school supplies.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Every August we give out school supplies and backpacks to those in need in my city of Jacksonville, Florida. To date over 10,000 backpacks filled with school supplies to youth have been donated! 
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>I am reaching out to ask for your help to raise $2500 to ensure we have 500 backpacks filled with supplies for our kids! 
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Donating to this campaign will allow me to get as many supplies as I can to those in need! 
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>You can also cash app to $Taylor0703!
</div>
<div>Where all proceeds will go towards more supplies as well!
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Thank you so much for helping me and Alpha Starz help our underserved youth get the supplies they need to start their school year off right!
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Taylor
</div>

#Back2SchoolJamboree

<div>Hi, my name is Taylor Richardson. Some know me as Astronaut StarBright advocating to bring more girls especially girls of color to STEM. Many others know me for my movie screening challenges like Hidden Figures and A Wrinkle In Time, that brought hundreds of thousands of youth and their families across the world to see black women and Black girls represented in STEM and girl empowered themes. I have always believed if you can see it you can be it. This is why I am raising funds for 1,000 Black girls to see the upcoming Disney film The Little Mermaid, that will have its first Black mermaid princess Ariel, played by Halle Bailey. The goal is simple, to allow Black girls to see themselves and to know that we too can and will be part of that world! So I hope you will join me and donate to my campaign. Better yet, start your own #littlemermaidchallenge at a theater in your community! Let’s bring Black girl magic across the world come May 26, 2023!
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>See ya under the sea,
</div>
<div>Taylor
</div>

Astronaut Starbright #TheLittleMermaidChallenge

<div>It’s back! The 3rd annual senior thanksgiving luncheon.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Due to covid we were were unable to do the event last year and while we will go smaller this year (in past we have fed over 300 seniors)! I’m excited that I get to share in the gift of giving to some pretty amazing people our SENIORS! 
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>I’ve done this event with my favorite senior my NANA for 2 years and can’t wait to celebrate with them all to honor the life and legacy of one special senior Mrs Joan Turner. 
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Which is why we are changing name of the luncheon to The Joan Turner Senior Thanksgiving Luncheon in her honor and to celebrate her work  for all seniors in Jacksonville. 
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Our goal is to sponsor 25 tables for $250 a table or sponsor a senior for only $25. 
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>We will have thanksgiving food, entertainment and fellowship with those who deserve it our Seniors! 
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Let’s make this annual event a success and show some love to our seniors this holiday season!  
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Taylor 
</div>

Senior Thanksgiving Luncheon

<div>Hello everyone,
</div>

<div> 
</div>

<div>My STEM sis Havana and I are back again and we are working on a very special and exciting project! We would like to challenge you to join us for the #blackgirljoychallenge where we will be delivering STEM gifts to Black girls in the United States, and around the world, during the holiday season.
</div>

<div><img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/60817487_163532282330295_r.jpeg" alt="60817487_163532282330295_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" />
</div>

<div> 
</div>

<div>In case you haven’t heard, Girls Have Rights is a youth led global non-profit that aims to eliminate obstacles and barriers so girls have access to their basic human rights. Havana is the Executive Director and I am the Director of STEM Education.<br /><img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/60817487_1635324205241332_r.jpeg" alt="60817487_1635324205241332_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" />
</div>

<div> 
</div>

<div>One of our goals for Girls Have Rights is to make it more attainable for girls to reach their STEM goals. Not only do we want to encourage girls in pursuing STEM careers, we want to help ensure critical resources are available so that there is more equity in education. When Black girls systemically have less access to resources, they fall behind their peers academically.<br /><img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/60817487_1635322754495377_r.png" alt="60817487_1635322754495377_r.png" width="100%" media_type="3" />
</div>

<div>This is why our goal by Giving Tuesday on November 30th is to raise $2500 to donate STEM resources as gifts to girls in communities all over the United States, refugee children from Afghanistan, Somalia, Iran, and Syria who live in Germany, as well as to the 17 girls at the St. Bahkita orphanage in Ghana we have supported for over 4 years now. 
</div>

<div><br /><img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/60817487_163532280745857_r.png" alt="60817487_163532280745857_r.png" width="100%" media_type="3" />
</div>

<div><br />With your help, we will be bringing some holiday Black girl joy by giving the following gifts to as many girls as possible:<br /><br />
</div>

<div><a href="https://www.lakeshorelearning.com/products/science/science-tools-equipment/young-scientist-microscope-set/p/CS375/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Young Scientist Microscope Set</a> 
</div>

<div><a href="https://www.learningresources.com/shop/collections/botley" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Learning Resources Botley the Coding Robot</a> 
</div>

<div><a href="https://www.elenco.com/bric-structures/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elenco Electronics Snap Circuits Bric Structures</a> 
</div>

<div><a href="https://www.myfirstlab.com/product/stem-starter-kit-smartphone-microscope-and-3d-slides/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">My First Lab STEM Starter Kit</a>  
</div>

<div><a href="https://barbie.mattel.com/shop/en-us/ba/all-new/barbie-inspiring-women-series-katherine-johnson-doll-fjh63" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mattel Inspiring Women Katherine Johnson Doll</a> 
</div>

<div><a href="https://www.americangirl.com/shop/girl-of-the-year-luciana#facet:&amp;productBeginIndex:0&amp;orderBy:&amp;pageView:grid&amp;minPrice:&amp;maxPrice:&amp;pageSize:&amp;contentPageSize:&amp;" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Girl Luciana Vega</a>  
</div>

<div><a href="https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/littlebits-avengers-hero-inventor-kit,5791.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LittleBits Avengers Hero Inventor Kit</a> 
</div>

<div><a href="https://www.mindware.orientaltrading.com/q-ba-maze-2-0-rails-extreme-set-with-free-cascading-marbles-set-a2-13941182.fltr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MindWare Maze Rails Extreme Set</a> 
</div>

<div><a href="https://www.myfirstlab.com/product/duo-scope/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">My First Lab Duo Scope Microscope</a> 
</div>

<div><a href="https://www.lego.com/en-de/product/women-of-nasa-21312" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lego Women of NASA</a>  <br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Creality-Photocuring-Filtering-Off-line-Printing/dp/B082XDH8NB/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?dchild=1&amp;keywords=3d+printer&amp;qid=1635325695&amp;sr=8-2-spons&amp;psc=1&amp;smid=A2ALB3RMNIRLH8&amp;spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzTEJVSFlGRE5SNU5KJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNDkzMDk1M09XQlhHQlgxTkJRTyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwOTM2NDIxMkhPSzFGVjM1NVlFSyZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Creality Halot One Resin 3D Printer</a> <br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Oculus-Quest-All-One-Christmas/dp/B08Q4LGV8N/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=1IK417HVD5WUD&amp;dchild=1&amp;keywords=oculus&amp;qid=1635325571&amp;sprefix=oculus%2Caps%2C269&amp;sr=8-2-spons&amp;psc=1&amp;spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExUUZYOFFHSDNMOVZEJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwOTA4ODQ4MjE2T0ZXSjRRREtaJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAxMzc2ODJVRzlQSEIwOEhYVDAmd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oculus Quest 2</a> <br /><br /><img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/60817487_163532930093423_r.jpeg" alt="60817487_163532930093423_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" />
</div>

<div>Are you ready to take the <strong>#blackgirljoychallenge</strong>?
</div>

<div> 
</div>

<div><strong>Ways you can donate besides here on our GoFundMe:</strong>
</div>

<div>Make a donation via <button data-competitor="competitor-link" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener">PayPal</button>  or on the <a href="https://www.girlshaverights.org/make-a-donation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Girls Have Rights website</a> 
</div>

<div>Venmo @girlshaverights
</div>

<div>Choose your gift directly from our <a href="https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1AB5NPSQWLJ0D?ref_=wl_share" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amazon wishlist</a>.
</div>

<div> 
</div>

<div>We are so grateful for your help to make the #blackgirljoychallenge our best challenge yet!
</div>

<div> 
</div>

<div>Ad astra,
</div>

<div> 
</div>

<div>Taylor and Havana
</div>

Black Girl Joy Challenge

<p>Hi everyone it’s me Taylor aka Astronaut StarBright!
</p>

<p>For the last 5 years I have co sponsored with Alpha Starz and local community organizations The Back to School Jamboree. This is it’s 9th year!
</p>

<p>Every August we give out school supplies and backpacks to those in need in my city of Jacksonville, Florida. We have given out thousands of backpacks and school supplies to youth over the past few years!
</p>

<p>And I need your help to make this 9th annual Back 2 School Jamboree a success. We have less than a few weeks to help our youth.
</p>

<p>We are in need of backpacks and school supplies like: paper, composition notebooks, folders, pens, pencils, highlighters, crayons, and markers to make a few.
</p>

<p>I hope you check out the wish list below or donate to this campaign so that I can get as many supplies to serve as many youth as possible. You can also cash app to $Taylor0703 as well!
</p>

<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/11UQKNVZH2J1M?ref_=wl_share" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/11UQKNVZH2J1M?ref_=wl_share" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/11UQKNVZH2J1M?ref_=wl_share</a></a>
</p>

<p>Thank you so much for helping me help our underserved youth get the supplies they need for school for this upcoming school year! Let’s make this one the best one yet!
</p>

<p>Any extra funds will be used for next year school event and any extra supplies will be donated to more youth or teachers in need.
</p>

<p>Thank you!
</p>

<p>Taylor
</p>

<p> 
</p>

StarBright Back to School Jamboree

<p><br />Hi Everyone,<br /><br />It’s me Taylor Richardson aka Astronaut StarBright. I am a high school student at The Bolles School in Jacksonville, Florida. <br /><br />As an advocate, speaker, a disruptor for good my focus is on shining a light on inclusion and diversity in STEM (science technology engineering and math) through  advocacy and philanthropy work. <br /><br />Through this work, my goal is to bring a sisterhood of warriors with me all the way to the stars and beyond by disrupting the status quo where girls especially Black girls like me have equal representation at the table. <br /><br />Yet many of you know me also as the #gofundmechallenge kid.  And I guess I’ve kind of lived up to that title with previous successful campaigns like the #HiddenFiguresChallenge, #AWrinkleInTimeChallenge, #CaptainMarvelChallenge, #BlackGirlsLEADChallenge, to name a few that have inspired many to create their own campaigns and platforms for good. <br /><br />Well I’m back and I’m calling on you to accept my next challenge. It’s called #TheBlackFriendChallenge. And my goal is to get 100 (more if I can) of The Black Friend book to kids to read in hopes to start the dialogue to combat racism. <br /><br />Why this book? Well after reading The Black Friend by Frederick T Joseph I felt it is was so relatable and so needed for my generation right now. But don’t take my word for it. Check out a bit about it in the link below and you will see why this book should be in every school, every library and every youth (YA for young adults) hands:<br /><br /><a href="https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Black_Friend_On_Being_a_Better_White.html?id=Ppz1DwAAQBAJ&amp;printsec=frontcover&amp;source=kp_read_button" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Black_Friend_On_Being_a_Better_White.html?id=Ppz1DwAAQBAJ&amp;printsec=frontcover&amp;source=kp_read_button</a><br /><br />But who is Fred you might say? Well I could say lots but remember the guy who started the #BlackPantherChallenge and raised over a million dollars to help kids see it. That was Fred. Or the guy who helped raise funds to help people with basic needs like food and keeping utilities on during the covid pandemic last year. That was Fred.<br /><br />Now he’s a renowned New York Times best selling author with his first book The Black Friend on Being A Better White Person. <br /><br />Check out the synopsis:<br /><br />Writing from the perspective of a friend, Fred offers candid reflections on his own experiences with racism and conversations with prominent artists and activists about theirs—creating an essential read for white people who are committed anti-racists and those newly come to the cause of racial justice. <br /><br />So after reading this book it made me want to make sure I could get it into as many young adult readers hands as I could.  Because if we are going to change this world especially the issues with race it might as well start with youth like you and me who will one day be running it!<br /><br />And Fred’s book to me is the most honest and most relatable book I’ve read in a very long time. This book might just be the book to change the world! No, whoever reads this book will be a change agent to changing the world! Period! <br /><br />For me I am starting this challenge because as your Black Teen Friend I want to make positive change and fight racism. If you with me, I hope you will help me and join this challenge. <br /><br />Heck, I even hope my challenge  maybe will inspire YOU to start your own campaign  in your community or school.<br /><br />So if are you ready and willing; there is only thing left to  say; will you accept the challenge?<br /><br />Check out the ways you can help below:<br /><br />Donate to this campaign and share it or; <br />Use my wish list and purchase it here <a href="https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/17DRRY5FUDL78?ref_=wl_share" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/17DRRY5FUDL78?ref_=wl_share</a><br />to mail directly to me. 
</p>

<p>For info about Fred and his book click link.
</p>

<p><a href="https://www.theblackfriendbook.com"><a href="https://www.theblackfriendbook.com" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.theblackfriendbook.com</a></a>
</p>

<p>You’ve been challenged! 
</p>

<p><br />Sincerely,<br /><span style="font-size:1.0625rem;">Taylor aka Your Favorite Black Teen Friend</span>
</p>

<p><br /><br /><img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/53961368_1610729079629058_r.jpeg" alt="53961368_1610729079629058_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" />me and Fred <br /><br /><img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/53961368_1610729123956698_r.jpeg" alt="53961368_1610729123956698_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" />
</p>

<p><img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/53961368_1610729240779808_r.jpeg" alt="53961368_1610729240779808_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" />
</p>

<p> 
</p>

The Black Friend Book Challenge

<p>On May 30, 2020, I participated in my first protest to march peacefully for Justice For George Floyd and again to say that Black Lives Matter. It was a  peaceful protest but then it changed. <br /><br />Tear gas was thrown into the crowds, people got hurt and people got arrested. I was afraid, sad, and angry by what transpired. <br /><br />While most know me as Astronaut StarBright  and campaigning for literacy, girls empowerment and STEM initiatives I can not sit here and not lend my platform to help show that my life matters and all Black Lives Matter. I’m saddened by how people continue to mistreat and abuse Black people. <br /><br />After my peaceful participation in the protest over the weekend, I couldn’t sleep for days. I was still sad and angry. I cried and cried. Then I realized I wanted to know what more could I do. Because I don’t want this continue. I want to live.<strong> I felt that I would create the StarBright Freedom Fund that would help provide community support for those who civil liberties have been deprived, survivors of injustices and educational tools for youth like me who want to learn how to help through various outlets and resources.</strong> <br /><br /><strong>That means your donations would go towards many things like; bail outs, medical expenses, mental health resources, basic needs for their families like food/water, and educational training for those who want to help in a peaceful and positive way.</strong>
</p>

<p>I don’t know all the answers. But I know it will take me finding the best initiatives and programs already in place and lend my support to those organizations that have been doing this work for years to bring about change. <br /><br />I also know as a kid I want to try to be one but at this moment in time, As a Black girl cannot stand and watch anymore violence against Black people simply because we are Black.  Again our lives matter too.<br /><br />Donations I raise be will released via CashApp, Paypal or Cashiers check to organization’s on the frontlines or individuals who need of the things I mentioned above. <br /><br />It really hurts to see peaceful protesters harmed by police brutality. It is our Constitutional Right to have the freedom to peacefully assemble and make our voices heard.  I think it’s extremely unfair that those protesting not only for George Floyd, but for other victims of abuse, brutality, systemic racism and oppression, are being silenced.<br /><br />I literally CANNOT even think about my dreams of space exploration, like going to Mars when it’s apparent that after over 400 years of oppression work is still needed today. I CANNOT continue at this moment to read about stars when my people are being abused, beaten and killed. How can I live my dream on Mars if I can’t even live it here on Earth. <br /><br />George Floyd "Please stop. Everything hurts." Yes, EVERYTHING. It does. We can't sleep. We can't jog. We can't drive. We can't breathe. We can't, BE.
</p>

<p>So TIMES UP for the injustices and mistreatment of Black people. If you agree I hope you will please share and donate. #BlackLivesMatter<br /><br />Thank you,<br />Taylor <br /><br /><br />
</p>

StarBright Freedom Fund

Latonja and Taylor Richardson

<div> 
</div>

<div>I can’t believe I’m in the final months of my SENIOR YEAR of high school.
</div>

<div> 
</div>

<div>I have applied to 30 schools and so far been accepted to 21 of them, with my top colleges being:<br /><br />- Spelman<br />- Howard<br />- Xavier of Louisiana <br />-FAMU<br />-Fisk<br />-Hampton <br />-Tuskegee <br />-Temple<br />-Princeton <br />-Clark Atlanta University<br /><br />I’m still waiting to hear back from many of my top choices (late March early April) yet I have been accepted to the number one private and public HBCU’s  FAMU and Spelman College and a few more. And since college won’t pay for itself, I’ve also been applying to many scholarships.
</div>

<div><br />So far I have not won enough but I’m not giving up because I haven’t come this far to not get to the next stage of my educational endeavors. So I am hoping to get some help to aid in my dream to pay for college to ease some of that financial burden for my mom and myself.<br /><br /><em><strong>Even with my pell grant and max in student loans I’m still considerably short in funding college. Any donations will go towards anything college — tuition, room and board, and other college items/expenses needed.</strong></em> <br /><br /><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Below is an estimated breakdown of my expected cost of attendance:</span><br /><br /><strong>Tuition:</strong> $25,300<br /><strong>Fees: </strong>$3,000<br /><strong>Room: </strong>$9,000<br /><strong>Board: </strong>$6,300<br /><strong>Books/supplies:</strong> $2,500<br /><strong>Personal expenses: </strong>$2,000<br /><strong>Transportation</strong>: $1,500<br /><strong>New student fee: </strong>$250<br /><strong>Health Insurance: </strong>$1,500<br /><br />For example if I meet my goal of $50,000, I'll be able to pay for at least my first year. My college decision won't be made until May, but this goal is set based on the estimates I've received so far. <br /><br />For half of my life (9 years to be exact) many of you have supported my campaigns (over 18 successful campaigns) to help so many across the world and I’m truly grateful to each and every one of you. What a campaign ride it has been to do good work and through the kindness of others help so many in need.
</div>

<div> 
</div>

<div>I know service doesn’t end with just a campaign, it is actually just the start and one part of it. This time, the new campaign, the new challenge, is for yours truly - me! This campaign may be another one of my big lofty dreams but hey, that’s how StarBright came into fruition and 18+ campaigns later is GoFundMe HERSTORY! 
</div>

<div> 
</div>

<div><strong style="font-size:1.0625rem;">My goal deadline is to raise funds before or by college decision (May 2) to help with any college expenses!  Stay tuned! College decision is downloading!!! </strong>
</div>

<div> 
</div>

<div> 
</div>

<div>Thank you,
</div>

<div>Taylor aka Astronaut StarBright
</div>

<div>(Your Future College Student Class of 2026)<br /><br /><img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/62992917_1643677232498999_r.jpeg" alt="62992917_1643677232498999_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" />
</div>

Help StarBright Get through College

platform

Platform is iOS

Android

Adyen Google Pay Development Audience

$opt_dummy_attribute

English only

Deprecate Stripe Legacy

dyn_template_ids

Adyen V6 Bene Transfer & MyMoney Campaign Organizers - test01

Bene transfer V6 and AdyenV6MyMoney Campaign Organizers - production

adyen_v6_suspend_unsuspend_TEST01

adyen_v6_suspend_unsuspend_PROD

OneTrust next-app audience

fundCountryCode

NextDoor Share Option Users

Fundraisers with Reactions feature capability

externalAccountHolderAccountCode

Adyen Account Holders with a large number of accounts

fundCurrencyCode

US + Non-charity COs Only

locale

fund country is US and user language is English

personId

comms-internal-person-ids

Enhanced Story Experience Users

Suggested Goal Experience Users

user language is English and fund country: US, AU, DK, FI, IE, NO, SE, CA, GB; 

Poster share - new funds eligible (newest 9/18)

Streaming widgets beta user

paymentProcessor

3DS payment method

user language is English and fundCountry: US, AU, DK, FI, IE, NO, SE, CA, GB; 

currencyCode

Money Box Donation List Prompt Experiment Audience

GoFundMe Employees

ipAddress

Mark Rieth IP Address

Version 9.2.0 and above

desktop

Platform is Android

admin pr kit prod

(prod) new funds eligible for amp12 (UGC gallery)

fund country is US and user language is English (amp15)

Finland (FI) users

France (FR) users

Luxembourg (LU) users

fundId

Fundraiser Saved Payment Method Rate Limit Bypass (Production)

leaderboard-partner-id-audience-givepanel

New funds eligible - Video Sharing (PROD) (amp17)

Version 9.2.1 and above

Austria (AT) users

Netherlands (NL) users

Platform is iOS v11.0.0 and above

United States (US) users

non-US recurring donors

Fundraiser Without Meta Link

Canadian fundraiser

Ireland (IE) users

charityCommunityId

Charities allow to be claimed unclaimed (PRD)

UC Tipping v20250115 International

pymk_production_xplr_fe_team

countryCode

smart goals (fundraiser/manage) on test01

start gfm intl allowed locales

United Kingdom (GB) users

prod_ach_audience

AI Chatbot Audience

amp13 only new funds (prod) (anyword auto)

Sweden (SE) users

ach frontend audience

Norway (NO) users

Android v11.0.0 and above

Users Receiving Payments Paused Notifications

Excluded funds - Video Sharing (amp15)

smart goals test01

Team EGG - IP Address list

Fundraiser Without Instagram Deep Link

UC Tipping v20250107

Donation Upsell (Prod)

Users Receiving Braze KYC Validation Failed

US fundraisers and US users

New funds eligible - Video Sharing (PROD)

Switzerland (CH) users

include user in amp18

Recurring Upsell

Spain (ES) users

charityId

NPO API Keys

Excluded funds - Video Sharing

Portugal (PT) users

Giving fund alpha whitelist 2

Fundraiser Without Instagram Deep Link (amp15)

Denmark (DK) users

Australia (AU) users

Logged In Users

Android v10.6.0 and above

Localized Currency

Experiences Leads

Sweden country code and fund country match

Italy (IT) users

Sitewide Promo Banner: US only (no locale restrictions)

Giving fund alpha whitelist

fundUrl

fe-ssr-partner-widget-payment-methods-audience

partnerCode

partner-widget-apple-pay-audience

Everyone except Update Enhancement exclusions

Survicate

userEmail

NPO profiles test users (prod)

Non-charity fund

Belgium (BE) users

partner-widget-google-pay-audience

New funds eligible - Posters v2

ai_title_page

anyword

openai

control

manual_entry

template_id

userId

isCharityCo

email

appVersion

partnerId

fundIsLinkedWithMeta

shouldBucketIntoExperiment

fundHasInstagramDeepLink

includeUserInAmp18

userCurrencyCode

testAudience

pathname

Highlights