Racing Towards Dreams: Mia’s Story

Please note: This story includes references to child abuse and mental health challenges. The following resources provide guidance for parents, caregivers and families in discussing mental health, child safety and/or trauma with young people:

My life has been quite an adventurous journey. The biggest impact on my life has been the love and support of my Boys & Girls Club. From overcoming personal challenges to interning at one of the most iconic racing organizations in the world, my story is one of resilience, passion and unwavering support from my community.

Finding a Safe Haven

I was born in London, England, but I grew up in Jamaica, a beautiful island of paradise. Due to the severity of my asthma, my family moved to America when I was eight years old and settled in St. Petersburg, FL. On the surface, life there was great, but I grew up experiencing abuse, which led to challenges including PTSD, clinical depression and anxiety disorder. No one knew this for years because I always appeared happy.

When I was nine, my mother, brother and I escaped the abuse and moved to Fort Pierce. My mum wanted a place for my brother and me to stay while she worked all day, so she signed us up for a local Boys & Girls Club. Fast forward to today, I have been a member of various Boys & Girls Clubs for more than 10 years, and let’s just say that my experience has been… out of this world.

Building a Support System

I attended three different Boys & Girls Clubs throughout my membership, and each Club offered mentors who saw through my happy façade and encouraged me to prioritize my mental health.

With the support of Club staff like Mr. Austin, Mrs. Rasheedah and Mrs. Cynthia, I blossomed into a resilient young woman. Mental health became my platform for Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Youth of the Year teen leadership program, which shaped my journey as a budding advocate.

Unleashing Potential

Boys & Girls Clubs provided a canvas for my creativity and leadership. From basketball camps and community gardens to planning events, each program allowed me to explore and develop my skills. One pivotal moment was an eighth-grade trip to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for a drone program. I fell in love with the campus and its opportunities but was initially discouraged by the high tuition costs. However, the unwavering support from my Clubs, community and the Youth of the Year program empowered me to secure over $250,000 in scholarships, granting me a full ride to Embry-Riddle.

Career Readiness and Leadership

Boys & Girls Clubs didn’t just help me academically; they prepared me for the professional world. A summer internship in accounting during 10th grade turned into a part-time job that lasted until I graduated from high school.

This experience, coupled with numerous leadership roles, opened doors to countless opportunities, such as:

• Interning at Fort Pierce City Hall
• Serving on the City of Fort Pierce Youth Council
• Joining the St. Lucie County Youth Leadership Board
• Working with Faith in Florida to expand the electorate and register voters
• Attending the Florida Gubernatorial debate as a city guest
• Attending the first youth advocacy days on Capitol Hill, advocating to Congress with Ashley Biden.

Through Youth of the Year, I was named the Florida Youth of the Year at the state level two years in a row. This incredible program took me across the globe, from the national youth advocacy summit in Washington, D.C., to a mountain hike in Denver, and even a Habitat for Humanity trip in Guatemala!

A Dream Internship with NASCAR

My success with the Youth of the Year program caught the attention of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s national partners at NASCAR. Last fall, I was invited to share my story at the NASCAR Fuel for Business event in Charlotte, NC, where I met Mae Jemison, the first Black female astronaut. This connection led to my internship with NASCAR IMPACT at Daytona Beach, where I supported sustainability and STEM projects, veteran programs, and youth engagement.

Embracing the Future

Boys & Girls Clubs taught me that the sky’s the limit and that life is not linear. At Embry-Riddle, I am studying aerospace engineering with the ultimate goal of completing an accelerated Master of Business Administration/Finance, starting this summer. Whatever the future holds, I owe my unimaginable journey to the Boys & Girls Clubs. They will always be a part of me, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

5 Tips to Overcome Limits and Achieve Your Dreams

1. Use your time wisely and stay focused.
   Concentrate on what matters most to achieve your goals.
2. Don’t let social media trick you.
   Daily practice and effort are behind every success, not just the highlights you see online.
3. Don’t be afraid of change.
   Embrace opportunities, even if they seem daunting. They can transform your life!
4. Get comfortable with yourself.
   Find environments that accept and celebrate who you are.
5. Start networking in the world you want to grow in.
   Connect with mentors and alumni who can guide you.

Preparing Tomorrow’s Leaders

Mia’s journey from her Boys & Girls Club to NASCAR shows that with the right support, any dream is possible. Through mentorship, skill-building and opportunities, Boys & Girls Clubs of America prepares young people to excel in school, work and beyond, shaping the next generation of leaders ready to take on the challenges of tomorrow.