Today, we’d like to introduce you to Wynter Eddins.
Hi Wynter, 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 had always felt like the odd one out growing up. I was tall with skinny arms and legs and always had a half-done bun on my head.
I distinctly remember creating a song from a short story I wrote in 6th grade called “Red Creation,” and I even performed it for everyone. From a young age, I was a creative storyteller, always asking my teachers or anyone who would listen to read my art in front of the class. Being the only girl among two brothers, I found solace in escaping into James Patterson novels, immersing myself in drama, horror, and excitement.
By middle school and high school, I was involved in stage plays. It’s interesting how we unknowingly prepare ourselves for the life we are meant to live. In college, I took every communication and performance class I could and discovered my love for poetry, community, and my true purpose. I found that performing came naturally to me, so I pursued roles that were performance-driven, such as broadcast journalism, acting, and poetry. However, what we think we are meant to do and what we are truly meant for are not always the same.
Through my experiences, I discovered my true purpose in leadership and youth development. While I was focused on pursuing acting, I stumbled into the field of education, which ultimately changed my life. One of my exceptional students, whom I first met in 4th grade, inspired me to pursue a master’s degree in education due to her pure joy for learning. I wanted to have the skills to support and empower young people. I had the honor to become her English Language Development (ELD) teacher for 6th to 8th grade. Teaching is both enriching and exhausting, and it led me to view public education from a new perspective – one of reformation and abolition.
This led me to start Simply Youth Institute, operating in California and Oregon, with a mission to instill confidence in young adults, with a focus on young women. I aim to challenge K-12 education by asking why students feel unprepared to transition into adulthood successfully. My mission at SYI is to equip every young person with career exploration, financial literacy, and confidence, believing that with guidance and these skills, they can realize their unlimited potential and become the changemakers our country needs.
Everything I do is geared towards inspiring people to rise up and reclaim their power. My published books of poetry convey the message of overcoming trauma in our lives. I have also published a children’s book for my nephew, titled “Adventures of Legend: Dino Planet,” inspired by his love for dinosaurs. I continue to perform on stage and have appeared as the lead in the film “Megalodon Rising” on Amazon Prime. I always tell my students and anyone I meet that they can be anything they want to be, but they must move forward and make wise decisions.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I don’t trust smooth roads. I recognize that what God has for me will require hard work and dedication. My biggest struggle was the lack of confidence in myself and my abilities. As a leader of an organization, I learned more about my weaknesses and had to engage in deep personal reflection.
After losing my original team members, I had to sit down with myself and take real accountability for my failure to make my team members feel valued and heard. It was a wake-up call, but God revealed the most beautiful lesson behind every failure and reminded me of my purpose. I needed to hit rock bottom, which led me to equip myself with new skills and take more ownership of the day-to-day operations to get back into the business.
As a small nonprofit, it is challenging to remain afloat and secure the connections and funding to educate young people on financial literacy and keep our programs funded. However, I love a challenge because it motivates me to wake up every day and work towards ensuring students thrive and make a peaceful transition into adulthood. I am constantly looking for mentors and sponsors who want to see young people become the change makers they intend to be.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar with what you do, what can you tell them about what you do?
I have a talent for recognizing the good in people. I believe that everyone has a purpose in life, and it’s important to encourage each other to believe in ourselves. I consider this a special gift, and I want others to realize that even in times of struggle, there is still beauty to be found. I always see the light at the end of the tunnel, even when things get tough.
One of my proudest achievements is founding Simply Youth Institute, a nonprofit organization that aims to leave a lasting legacy by empowering young people and helping them see themselves as leaders. I’m particularly passionate about bridging the resource gap for BIPOC and multilingual learners. Simply Youth Institute is making a real impact by equipping young people with vital skills, financial wellness, career exploration, and confidence.
I’m also proud of my work in acting and poetry. My first leading film, “Megalodon Rising,” available on Amazon Prime, was a whirlwind experience, filmed in less than a week. I’m grateful to my acting coach, Nikolai Guzov, and my friend and fellow actor Ivan Leung for preparing me for that role. Additionally, seeing my book, “Afterglow,” published by WorldStage Press, was a significant accomplishment. The book serves as a collective reminder that we can overcome trauma and that our past experiences do not define us but shape our stories to help others.
Above all, I’m proud of the young people who have participated in our programs, especially recent graduate Veronica. She was recognized as one of the top valedictorians in high school and received full acceptance to UC San Diego and USC Keck School of Medicine to study Global Health. In a recent interview, Veronica credited Simply Youth Institute for helping her develop essential skills and build confidence, allowing her to get involved in her school and local community.
I have a talent for recognizing the good in people. I believe that everyone has a purpose in life, and it’s important to encourage each other to believe in ourselves. I consider this a special gift, and I want others to realize that even in times of struggle, there is still beauty to be found. I always see the light at the end of the tunnel, even when things get tough.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you, or support you?
I enjoy connecting with people, so please feel free to reach out to me. If you’d like to support Simply Youth Institute, you can visit our website to find ways to donate to our programs.
My books, including “After Glow,” “Morph Bred,” and “Adventures of Legend: Dino Planet,” are available on Amazon, or you can order “After Glow” directly through World Stage Press. You can also watch a film on Amazon where I play Captain Lynch in the movie “Megladon Rising.” I’m always open to creative collaborations and love performing spoken word for organizations and groups.
Simply Youth Institute is currently looking for mentors to help students explore new career paths. If you’re interested in volunteering or donating, please send us an email at simplyyouthinstitute@gmail.com.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://simplyyouthinstitute.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplyyouthinstitute/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/syinstitute1/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wynter-eddins-b8102437/
- Other: https://linktr.ee/wynterlauren
