Today we’d like to introduce you to Sydnie Collins.
Hi Sydnie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve always been a believer in creating what you don’t see and my dedication to initiating change and supporting equality is the legacy that I will continue to build for myself and others every day. For the past 27 months, I have had the privilege of creating a platform that represents my leadership skills and supporting the voices of Generation Z. And through the lens of so many women leaders and mentors, I am the product of people who help people. For this, I’ve been able to overcome obstacles and see examples of virtuous women in a way that is breaking the mold. At 18 years old, some would say that I’m just getting started, but I say I’ve always been here!
Over the years of holding principal roles with Student Council (President), National Honor Societies (Historian), Charles County NAACP Youth Council (Vice President), Save A Girl, Save A World (Communications Intern), and CEO/Founder of Live Your Future Educated and Perfect Timing, I found the most important trait a woman leader should possess is a heart for human and women’s rights, strength, and perseverance. Having these qualities have helped me be an unapologetic leader and stand in my truth. My ability to sympathize, have confidence, and obtain dominance is valuable. It’s not always about the title you carry but the alliances you build beyond your community. A leader is not someone who just manages a team but someone who is continually looking for opportunities to improve and expand equity.
Ms. Oprah Winfrey, the female African American talk show host, television producer, actress, author, and philanthropist exemplifies these qualities. Her legacy to improve political representation, civic participation and economic opportunity for all black girls is passing the torch to her successors Gen Z! As an inspired, award-winning social entrepreneur, scholar aspiring to have a career through Communications and a catalyst for change, I am a philanthropist currently hosting an international podcast every Monday. Perfect Timing Podcast was born by the idea that Gen Z has a voice and there’s power behind it to educate, encourage, and empower youth globally through literacy, leadership, and legacy.
During the Pandemic, I started to feel lost. I went from a full schedule that began at 5:30am and ended 12am. I was clueless of what to do with all this free time. In mid-March, my mother challenged my sister and I to start a “YouTube channel” to talk with friends about how they were feeling. My mom and I continued to ponder over the idea and while doing so we began to strategize and write out a plan of action for the podcast instead. And in early June, I kicked off my podcast and I must say it is one of the most passionate undertakings that I have ever done. It is truly rewarding and has given me so much joy and hope for our future.
As a Social Entrepreneur and Purpose Driven Influencer, I’m ushering in a new generation of young influencers, celebrities, innovators, and nonprofits on social impact projects by offering a safe platform for them to share their inspiring stories. Social media is the newest frontier and during the pandemic Perfect Timing Org addressed the growing limitations of youth positivity on social media.
My obsession is to push kindness and respect so that it is contagious to those who see my demonstration as a champion for change. My pursuit in serving as an agent to advance my short and long-term goals of building Diversity and Inclusion. As an aspiring well-acclaimed host, I challenge myself to learn something new every day. With this opportunity, I can bring my leadership expertise as well as gain experience and exposure while impacting the world!
I was ready to fill the gap that represented me, I knew I wanted to influence the world in a good way. I had to learn to be uncomfortable so that I could grow. What used to hold me back is now my greatest asset: my voice. I recognized that I needed to see myself first to build a platform that is accepting of everyone’s needs. In order for me to be a change agent and support equality, I must recognize that everyone is worthy of something greater and that I must have a positive attitude, build relationships, and understand that everything that I do is much bigger than me.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Since starting my podcast, I have met some amazing trailblazers and have had the opportunity to build new partnerships. Hearing my guests speak about things that they are passionate about has given me more than one reason to continue, their views are important to me and my listeners. If a one-person voice can inspire another person then my work is not in vain but in God’s Perfect Timing. You ask what my struggles are, and I would say that with every new venture comes obstacles that we don’t plan for, such as schedule changes, receiving material in a timely manner to prepare for interviews, and technical issues. Finding and securing sponsors to support what I am doing is one of my greatest challenges, but through networking and connections, I’m learning every day how to expand my brand. My reward is knowing that I am using my talents to make a difference in bringing youth on my platform to discuss topics, dreams, and achievements that matter to them. Many say that they are proud of me, but my true reward comes from above!
The advice that I would like to leave for other youth looking to have their voices heard is: If you believe in yourself, then others will believe in you. Do not stop at one “no”, keep striving and believing that you can achieve all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens you. Your voice and dreams matter do not let anyone take away your voice!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My advocacy for educational literacy stems from my low self-esteem: not valuing my strength because I was always in a setting of being the minority. In elementary school, I lacked confidence physically and mentally. I hid behind the multitude of novels that I read, and that led my peers to be inquisitive about reading too. Their interest prompted me to start a book club called Live Your Future Educated, “LYFE” at 12 years old. It was a youth-led non-profit dedicated to educating, encouraging, and empowering youth globally through literacy, leadership, and legacy. I used this platform for giving back to the community in a multitude of ways such as book drives donations, read-a-thons, virtual bedtime stories, and community/wellness outreach events. LYFE mobilized its members and volunteers to advance the progress on service projects. I led and orchestrated a day of Kindness where we handmade sympathy cards and memorial angel key chains for families of victims of the Parkland, Florida school shooting. School shootings and traumatic events surrounding gun violence were on a rise and I wanted to be an instrument of change to my peers by providing therapeutic events that included a psychologist to address our anxiety and fears. Forwarding the interest to rally behind mental health until there’s no longer a stigma attached to a diagnosis and treatment. I wanted my peers to know that it’s ok not to be ok and that your voice can and will be heard while dealing with a mental illness. While this event was the first of many, I knew I had to be intentional about caring for my health and those that looked like me.
Between both of my organizations, I have six-plus years of volunteer service under my belt and have spent over 1,500 hours giving back to the community. My goal is to create a ripple of kindness that spreads to communities and eventually across the globe. I had to have the courage to be the only one and to be okay with standing alone. I no longer wanted our generation’s story told through the lens of someone that didn’t represent us. I wanted the black youth to feel included. Perfect Timing was designed to promote action and to inform youth that it’s our time! I started hosting virtual interviews from my small bedroom closet to my family dining room; an impactful organization with over 2,600 dedicated listeners. I am passionate about serving the community and providing a voice for the voiceless.
To date I’ve interviewed over 100 teen trailblazers the youngest being a five years old Hero & Hearts Justyn Boumah, Project I am Jahkil Jackson, “Khloe Kares” Khloe Thompson, Dream Hustle Code Ian Brock and The Brown Stem Girl Alena Analeigh, to name a few. Adult experts: Motivational Speaker Ms. Brandi Harvey, TWSB Artistic Director Ms. Julie Kent, MD Dr. Howard Haft, and the Scholarship Doctor Rhea Watson. 111 episodes have been released on international platforms – iHeart Radio, Spotify, SoundCloud, Apple Podcast and EC Media Radio. Topics varies from mental health, scholarships, bullying, social media, Covid, entrepreneurship, performing arts, financial literacy, voting and women’s rights, vaping, gun control and Black Lives Matter. In June 2022 marked the 2-year anniversary of the podcast and my contributions to the community were featured on FOX 5 DC and NBC 7. My goal is to leverage my digital media experience to partner with corporate sponsors that value the importance of the philanthropy work that I’m doing.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
When I decided to put myself first, my world opened up in a beautiful way; and I implore my community to do the same for themselves because a life best lived is one on your terms. I live by the mantra, “Never fear failure, but be terrified by regret,” and it has carried me through the majority of my high school years and will continue to do so for the rest of my life. My happiness is teaching me to set boundaries and put my needs first.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/sydniechandlermonet
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_perfecttimingpodcast/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/perfecttimingyouthpodcast
- Other: https://linktr.ee/sydniechandlermonet
Billboard 100: eliteconversations.com/perfect-timing
https://www.instagram.com/sydnie.collinss/
Image Credits
Lindria Dockett
