Youth leading youth

A young visionary takes the world of opportunity by storm

MYIA JONES of Vacaville was named one of the 10 Most Influential African-Americans in the Bay Area for 2004 by State Farm Insurance and CityFlight Media Network, was honored in Turning Point Magazine after receiving the 2006 Emerging Living History Maker distinction, is an ambassador for the Women’s Sports Foundation’s GoGirlGo! national outreach program, and has been featured on National Public Radio. These are but a few of her awards and acknowledgements.
    Myia first proposed the concept of starting what is today MYIA (Multicultural Youth-In-Action) to her parents when she was just 7 years old. By age 10 she founded and incorporated MYIA, Inc., a nonprofit organization focused on sports, arts and politics for youth. MYIA has its own girls basketball team, has partnered with the San Francisco YMCA to develop MYIA Model United Nations (a mock UN for youth) and sponsors local events for kids, often in association with community partners. Myia is currently a senior at Vacaville Christian School. 

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What inspired you to begin MYIA?

As I learned more about the different struggles of youth here in America, how our health and our education continued to spiral down, I had to get personally involved.

What causes have you supported?

We have tackled things such as helping the fight against childhood obesity, increasing literacy, addressing breast cancer and more.

Do you plan further expansion for MYIA?

I would love to someday have MYIA known worldwide. I would want to go into something that deals more specifically with the arts—getting young artists with something positive to say out there so that others can hear it.

Will MYIA ever be for-profit?

No, not really. I want it for the greater good of the youth and the community, not the greater good of my wallet.

What do you want to do for a living?

I want to be a medical doctor. I love helping people, and it seems like a fast-paced job. I don’t think that I could ever get bored. I would want to work as an emergency room physician or as a surgeon.

What are your passions?

Music. I’m a singer/songwriter and I play clarinet and guitar. I also write poetry and short stories.

Do you have any role models?

Kate Voegele. She is an amazing singer and songwriter who is touring around America, and attending college at the same time. She is an inspiration and her music is wonderful.

What are your favorite TV shows?

One Tree Hill, Smallville and Scrubs. I’m actually planning on attending One Tree Hill’s Friends with Benefits Tour.

What’s the greatest thing you’ve learned while leading this organization?

Everyone has something to say, just not the opportunity to present it. And that reaching out to people and just listening to them could make their day a whole lot better.

Any advice you’d offer to other youth leaders?

Don’t give up, ignore criticism and stay in school.

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