Shaping the Future: A Conversation with Room to Grow Graduates
A strong start in childhood leads to strong outcomes in life. This is something we know to be true and center in the Room to Grow program. As we celebrate the theme of "Shaping the Future" at this year’s Annual Gala, we’re excited to highlight a few of our remarkable program graduates on stage. Their journeys, ambitions, and insights are a testament to what the future can look like when families are supported. Below, we introduce you to two of our graduates and what their visions are for the future.
Meet Zoey: A Visionary for the Future
My name is Zoey M. Robinson. I am 9 years old and in the 4th grade. In my free time, I enjoy making jewelry, shopping, and drawing. When I grow up, I want to be an OBGYN because I love babies and would like to bring them into the world.
Q: When you envision your future, what does it look like?
Zoey: When I envision my future I picture me being happy and having a career that I love.
Q: What does the world you want to live in look like?
Zoey: The world I want to live in is clean, calm , and happy
Q: What do you envision for yourself in the future?
Zoey: I envision myself as an OBGYN
Q: What will it take to create this future?
Zoey: To Create the future I want I will need to study hard and go to college
Q: What do you need from those closest to you to reach your ideal future?
Zoey: To reach my ideal future I will need the people closest to me to encourage me and support me.
Q: What changes would the human race need to make to reach the ideal future?
Zoey: To reach my ideal future the human race would need to bridge the gap between race and opportunity.
Q: What personal efforts are required from you to reach your ideal future?
Zoey: Some personal efforts that are required of me to reach my ideal future are work hard, staying focused, and being true to myself
Q: With the theme of "shaping the future" in mind, what thoughts or ideas come to you?
Zoey: Shaping the future to me means creating a world that I would succeed in.
Meet Empi: A Leader for the Future
My name is Empi Mends (she/her), and I am 16 years old, born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. Ethnically, I am Ghanaian. Growing up, I’ve always been very creative and explored various media, such as dance, visual arts, and theater. I have been painting for two and a half years, and I’m constantly developing my craft. I’ve also done graphic design work for my custom press-on nails business, including designing my logo, price list, and promotional posts. Currently, I am interested in activism art, as I think it is a great way to spread the word about current events and to cope with moments of vulnerability.
Q: When you envision your future, what does it look like?
Empi: When I envision my ideal future, I see myself working as an entrepreneur while actively helping others in every way possible. It’s about creating something sustainable that benefits both me and the community around me.
Q: What does the world you want to live in look like?
Empi: I want to live in a world that’s 100% sustainable, where strong, healthy communities thrive everywhere. I believe isolation is the leading cause of depression, and people need physical spaces where they can connect, collaborate, and create naturally.
Q: What do you envision for yourself in the future?
Empi: I see myself working in the psychology field, specifically in counseling and therapy. I also want to grow my business sustainably and ethically. It’s important to me to challenge the stereotype that wealth requires unethical behavior. There are many self-made, successful Black women who have achieved greatness, and I want to be among them.
Q: What will it take to create this future?
Empi: It’s all about building strong relationships with people in my field, continuously improving myself and my work, and staying three steps ahead of the game. I also need the full support of my community—strong people come from strong communities.
Q: What changes would the world need to make to reach this ideal future?
Empi: First, we need collective healing. We can’t effectively fight for causes while carrying unresolved trauma. We also need to reduce consumption. Materialism makes it hard for people to connect on a deeper level and leads to reckless spending. Community is the most important factor for change. If we can find support in one another, we can navigate the challenges ahead more successfully. Lastly, self-reflection is key—knowing what helps or hinders you is crucial to personal and collective growth.
Q: With the theme of "shaping the future" in mind, what thoughts or ideas come to you?
Empi: Children’s education immediately comes to mind. It plays such a crucial role in their development. I can confidently say that my education's highest quality was in elementary school, but not everyone can say the same. Room to Grow plays an important role in offering that critical support for children who might not otherwise have access. I truly believe children are our future, and their development starts here—nurturing their personalities, thought processes, and aspirations.
Zoey and Empi’s thoughtful reflections remind us of the power of support and community. We invite you to join us in supporting our mission so that even more children can thrive from the start, and for the long term.
A special thank you to all the Room to Grow program graduates and participants who shared their memories and stories with us for our Annual Gala: Ashanti, Jamar, & Kairo | Destin | Empi | Janice & Josiah | Jesseka & Liam | Rosa & Fatima | Yocaury & Jacob | Zoey