Meeting 7: Building Your Story

March 28th, 2025

What makes a story truly resonate? How do we emotionally connect with an audience? These were the central questions during Meeting 7, where the Jackson Grown Leader Fellows explored the power of storytelling.

Tosh Newman provides guidance to mentor, Pautez, and Fellows.

A Lesson from Tosh Newman

To guide them in crafting compelling narratives, singer-songwriter Tosh Newman joined the Fellows, sharing his journey of transforming personal pain into impactful art. When Tosh lost a close friend to suicide, his wife encouraged him to write down the first thing he wished he could have said. His response? "Heaven does not need you yet." Those words became the foundation for his song "Heaven Don’t Need You Yet," which he wrote in just 36 minutes.

Tosh explains what “HDNYY” on his hat stands for and how that is a conversation started for his song.

The song resonated deeply. Producers immediately recognized its significance, pushing for its release, and it became Tosh’s first single on the radio. Before playing the music video for the Fellows, he asked them to take note of elements that stood out to them. One student pointed out a worn piece of paper in the video with the word "STAY" written on it. Tosh explained that STAY stands for "Someone’s Thinking About You"—a reminder that no one is truly alone.

Beyond his music, Tosh continues to spread this message through a simple yet powerful baseball cap featuring the letters HDNYY (Heaven Don’t Need You Yet), sparking conversations wherever he goes. His final words to the Fellows were a reminder: their stories matter. The individuals attending Challenge to the City on May 9th care deeply about their voices.

The Fellows’ Stories

Inspired by Tosh’s session, the Fellows took to writing their own stories—stories that drive their passion and fuel their commitment to their chosen challenges. Here are a few examples of their narratives:

Paige and London engaging in meeting 7.

Jaycee – Youth Caring About Their Education

For most of her school years, Jaycee didn’t care about academics. That changed during her sophomore year when an English teacher inspired her to try. That shift in mindset motivated her to start building a future for herself. She’s working to make her story more emotionally compelling as she prepares for Challenge to the City.

Jaycee and Alfonzo take notes after Tosh’s music video.

Alfonzo – Safe Driving Practices

Alfonzo has always cherished the people in his life. However, losing his 17-year-old uncle in a car accident opened his eyes to the importance of safe driving. Now older than his uncle was at the time of his passing, he realizes just how much life he would have missed. His school, South Side High, has recently lost multiple students to driving accidents, including a soccer teammate who was severely injured. Alfonzo is determined to craft a gripping opening to ensure his message hits home.

Kemora taking in Tosh’s music video.

Keilan – Hickory Mall Transformation for Youth

Jackson lacks spaces where young people can safely enjoy themselves. Keilan envisions transforming Hickory Mall into a youth-centered hub, with stores and events designed for kids and families. He wants his story to appeal to children and shopping enthusiasts alike, showing how revitalization could bring life back to the community.

Mentor, Pautez, explains to the Fellows to write their “story hook”.

London – Food Shortages & School Lunches

London remembers receiving "snack backpacks" in elementary school—weekend food packs for students in need. But as she grew older, the program disappeared. Many students rely on school meals as their only source of food, yet school lunches often go uneaten due to poor quality. She wants to bring back snack backpacks and advocate for better meal options.

Tosh communicates with the Fellows that their stories can make a difference.

As the Fellows refine their stories in preparation for April 25th, they carry with them the understanding that storytelling is more than words—it’s about connection, impact, and change. Their voices have the power to inspire action, and on May 9th, they will share them with an audience ready to listen.