


Brian Otieno
Sep 19, 2024
United States
Categories:
#CommunityActivism #YouthEmpowerment #EnvironmentalJustice #SocialJustice #Pollution
Amariyanna My’Angel Copeny, known as Mari, has impacted lives since she was just eight years old, although most people recognize her by her nickname, "Little Miss Flint." Growing up in Flint, Michigan, Mari became a voice for the Flint Water Crisis, a disaster that exposed residents to lead-contaminated drinking water. The crisis hit home for Mari and her family in 2014 when they realized their water was unsafe to use, leading to severe health issues for her younger sister and even Mari herself, who still carries a patch of eczema from the exposure.
Determined to make a difference, Mari made a short video highlighting her community's struggles at eight years of age. This video went viral, and soon, Mari became a powerful advocate for clean water, organizing bottled water drives and using her platform to draw national attention to Flint’s crisis. Over time, Mari’s influence has grown far beyond her local community. She has met and spoken with three U.S. presidents and became the youngest recipient of the Change Maker Award at the Billboard Music Awards in 2022. Through her partnership with Hydroviv, a water filter company, Mari has helped provide clean drinking water to thousands of families by donating filters that remove lead and bacteria from their water. Her social media following, now four times the size of Flint’s population, has enabled her to advocate for environmental justice.
Mari’s activism extends beyond water issues. She hosts annual holiday toy drives and back-to-school events, impacting over 25,000 children by providing backpacks and toys. Her desire to help children in Flint remains her primary passion, even as she grows and takes on new challenges. Diagnosed with ADHD (Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder), Mari faces the unique struggles of balancing life as a high schooler with the demands of activism, but she continues to push forward. Her dedication to her community remains unwavering.
Mari advises young activists to be serious and committed, using their voices to stand for what matters. Despite her young age, Mari has already spent nearly a decade fighting for Flint, always motivated by her love for her hometown and her desire to help others. Though she’s evolving from the title of "Little Miss Flint," Mari's commitment to making a positive difference in the world continues to inspire people everywhere.
Here are ten practical and achievable ways you can make a positive impact in your community, inspired by Mari Copeny’s story:
1. Raise Awareness on Issues: Use social media or word of mouth to spread awareness about important issues affecting your community. You can create simple posts or videos to educate others about these problems.
2. Host Community Drives: Organize drives to collect items like books, clothes, or reusable goods. These items can be donated to families in need. You don’t need money—reach out to neighbors and friends who can contribute.
3. Lead by Example: Set an example in your daily life by practicing environmentally friendly habits, such as conserving water, recycling, or picking up litter. Others in your community may be inspired to follow your lead.
4. Start a Petition: Identify an issue that needs attention, like access to clean water, safe streets, or better school facilities. Create a petition, online or physically, and gather signatures to present to local authorities.
5. Create an Advocacy Group: Gather friends or neighbors who care about your issues. Regularly meet to discuss how you can advocate for change, whether by speaking up at community meetings or organizing educational events.
6. Educate Children: Organize small workshops or discussions with children in your community about important topics, such as environmental conservation, kindness, or personal safety. Teaching the next generation is a powerful way to create long-term change.
7. Write Letters: Encourage your community to write letters to local leaders, sharing their concerns or proposing solutions for issues affecting them. Even one well-written letter can help bring about change.
8. Host a Neighborhood Clean-Up: Invite others to clean up your local parks, streets, or public spaces. This requires no money—just time, effort, and a willingness to improve your surroundings.
9. Use Art to Advocate: Express issues through art—whether drawings, murals, or posters—that highlight problems in your community. Display these artworks in public spaces to inspire people and spark conversations about change.
10. Offer Support to Others: Listen to and support people in your community who are going through tough times. Sometimes, being a caring listener or offering advice can make a huge difference in someone’s life.
These actions may not require money, but they show that even small, consistent efforts can lead to meaningful change. Like Mari, you can make a significant impact by using your voice, hands, and heart to inspire others and improve your community.
Photo Credit: Hillel Steinberg on Flickr.
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0924.113.03.091924