Julia Gabor, the Founder of kid-grit, offers a personal and genuine glimpse into her upbringing on the streets of NYC, navigating life as a latchkey child in a challenging environment with a parent struggling with addiction. Her inspiring narrative is replete with qualities of resilience and tenacity. Julia seamlessly transitions her journey into an exploration of how her lived experiences shape her current work in the realm of social-emotional learning.
In this session, she not only shares her story but also provides insights for education leaders on adopting a holistic approach that can instigate cultural change within any educational community. Julia engages participants in discussions, weaving practical ideas for both schools and out-of-school time programs that attendees can readily implement. The session promises to be a refreshing, candid, and interactive experience.
Testimonial:
“In a field where inspiration is currency and innovation is key, Julia Gabor and kid-grit and empowering educators is not just commendable; it’s essential. To any group seeking to inspire, uplift, and transform, Julia and kid-grit come highly recommended. Prepare to be inspired, uplifted, filled with gratitude, and forever changed.” – Cody Topp, CEO, Topps for Kids, Calgary, Canada
Meet Coach BE, the 6’11” gentle giant who is part “edutainer”, part motivator, and 100% kid-grit ambassador. Armed with a towering presence and an even bigger laugh, he’s on a mission to empower lives with a mix of passion, purpose, and a healthy dose of humor. Coach BE is a man who takes his job seriously—but not himself—believing that learning should be as fun as it is transformative.
With over 25 years in youth development (yes, he started way back when flip phones were cool), Coach BE has mastered the art of guiding students in academics, sports, and life. Whether he’s connecting with students on the court, cracking jokes in the classroom, or handing out life advice that sticks, he brings his infectious energy and a genuine smile to every interaction.
Before his career as the world’s friendliest role model, Coach BE was busy managing mental health programs for adjudicated youth—a role that taught him the power of resilience and kindness. Today, he’s here to bring the “Coach BE Experience” to educators, leaders, and anyone ready to live their BEStwenty4 and maybe crack a few jokes along the way.
Testimonial:
“Unbelievable!!! Coach BE reminded me of the “why” I chose to serve people! The most powerful statement to me is, “Be the person you needed when you were a kid.” 🥹
Maia Akiva is a professional speaker, trauma-informed trainer, performer, and writer in Los Angeles. Her unique approach encourages audiences to embrace their relationships with their emotions and feelings as a path to better mental health, success, happiness, freedom, and fulfillment.
Originally from Israel, Maia teaches emotional creative unblocking and stress relief to companies like Hulu, the City of Santa Monica, Vans, Frame, 72 and Sunny, and others. Her unique creative presentations are featured at The Goomi Group, a Corporate Wellness company in the US.
Maia specializes in mental health, social and emotional learning in the arts, self-empowerment, and creativity. She loves creating mental health and motivational programs and content, like her fictional podcast, Interview with Myself —in which she interviews her feelings and emotions as a guest on the show. She reimagines mental health healing methods in a dynamic blend of insight and humor for a flourishing everyday life. With outside-the-box mental health learning experiences, training, and stories that personify and realize abstract emotions, Maia guides her audience through the journey of mental health that she is inspired to navigate every day.
Maia trains teachers, therapists, writers, mental health staff, and organizations on her Mental Health, Addiction, and Trauma Creative Writing curriculum. Furthermore, she facilitates “Mental Health Tune-Ups and Team Buildings” events for staff, colleges, and groups. She is a Social Emotional Arts Facilitator and Certificate Holder from the Arts & Healing Initiative SEA program, and leads workshops for WriteGirl, Models of Pride, and Caltech upholding her mission: Empowering everyone’s mental health by making friends with our emotions.
Testimonial:
“Maia heartfelt, personal story prompts people to see mental health in a different light. Maia’s presentation destigmatizes mental health and provides staff with tools to help students and staff to process emotions positively. Staff really enjoyed both the content and Maia’s delivery.” – Michael Baker, District Coordinator of Expanded Learning Programs, Santa Ana Unified School Distric
Looking for an interactive and dynamic speaker for your national or regional conferences and summits?
Look no further! kid-grit Founders Julia and Jeffrey provide customized general sessions based on their authentic pasts growing up on the streets of NYC, both surviving households with parents navigating addiction. Each of their heartwarming stories are filled with qualities of resilience and perseverance. They transition their stories into how their real lives impact their current work in the social emotional learning space. They will share ideas for education leaders on how their holistic approach can shift and promote cultural change in any education community. Julia and Jeffrey interweave relevant activities for schools and out of school time programs that audience members can use the very next day. Refreshing, honest and interactive! Contact us for questions and pricing.
Real Stories of Success from the Gritty Young Authors of kid-grit: THE BOOK
Bring the young kid-grit authors to your conference or school assembly. Our young speakers provide a vibrant and inspiring discussion about facing challenges and how they overcame them when they were in middle, high school and college.
In 2016, Julia Gabor and Jeffrey Jordan traveled across the country in search of young people who persevered against overwhelming obstacles. Their goal was to capture the youth voice in an effort to understand how young people overcome and navigate through the school system when they are experiencing “school days” that include violence, depression, poverty, trauma, and “coming out of the closet” to their family and friends. In the Spring of 2018, the voice of these young people and their true-life stories were captured and published in kid-grit: THE BOOK, 25 authentic soul-searching stories from students across the nation.
This dynamic general session will feature a candid conversation with the young authors from kid-grit: THE BOOK. Now extended from their high school days by just a few years, these young people will reflect and share what helped them get through and gave them the “Grit” to persevere.
