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BY ALLISON POTTERMAN

The enchantment of childhood is the belief that anything is possible. For Justyn Boumah, a spirited 10-year-old with an undeniable spark, this belief isn't a flicker—it's a blazing torch lighting up communities worldwide. Founder of the nonprofit Heroes and Hearts, Justyn's journey is nothing short of extraordinary. From humble beginnings at the tender age of five, this young visionary has shown that boundless dreams, when paired with action, can reverberate into global change.

“I started Heroes & Hearts because I wanted to show that no one is too young to make a difference,” Justyn shares, his enthusiasm palpable through the words. Heroes and Hearts aims to educate, encourage, and empower through its four cornerstone initiatives: the Blessing Project, Art & Reading, Learning is Fun Libraries, and STEMpreneurs. Each program is a testament to Justyn’s drive to weave learning and creativity into the lives of marginalized communities.

Balancing the joys of childhood with the weight of social entrepreneurship is no easy feat. Yet, Justyn exudes a youthful wisdom, acknowledging with a bright smile, “It’s about mixing fun with passion. My youthful perspective helps me connect with other kids, making a genuine impact.”

Since its inception, Heroes and Hearts has opened six Learning is Fun Libraries, igniting curiosity and fostering knowledge from Warsaw to Las Vegas. “Imagining kids diving into books and discovering new worlds makes my heart soar,” he recalls, eyes full of gratitude. Each library isn't merely a collection of books but a beacon of opportunity, sparking imaginations and creating bridges to a brighter future.

The ripple effects of Justyn’s efforts are most vividly seen in the Kidpreneur Marketplace, where young innovators gather to learn, grow, and share. The event not only teaches business acumen but fosters resilience and community spirit. Justyn beams with pride when he speaks of seeing young entrepreneurs flourish, their confidence blossoming in an environment encouraging creativity and collaboration.

As Heroes and Hearts looks to the future, Justyn's vision is expansive yet grounded. “I see us transforming communities by expanding our programs and reaching even more children worldwide,” he envisages. His dreams are ambitious, yet the path is paved with sincerity and a commitment to cultivating kindness as a superpower.

However, every journey has its hurdles. Justyn approaches setbacks not as stumbling blocks but as springboards. “Stay curious and embrace mistakes as learning opportunities,” he advises, embodying the resilient spirit he wishes to instill in peers.

Justyn is adamant that his story, and that of Heroes and Hearts, is one of hope and possibility. He wants the legacy to be told in voices echoing transformative impact—a testament to a young child who dared to dream audaciously and inspired a movement founded on hope.

With a smile as bright as his future, Justyn leaves us with a reflection that encapsulates his journey and encourages us all: “Your energy can light up the world, so stay true to your mission—and enjoy the journey.” And with each initiative, Justyn ensures that the journey is not just his own but one shared in the collective stride toward a world empowered by youth-driven change.

Featured Interview

Inspiring Young Changemaker Justyn Boumah on Leading with Heart and Impactful Dreams

Article Type

FEATURING Racquel Watson

Below is our interview with Racquel Watson.

{Introduction}

Tell us about Heroes & Heart, and what inspired you to launch the business?

I started Heroes & Heart when I was just 5 years old because I wanted to show that no one is too young to make a difference. Heroes & Heart is all about educating, encouraging, and empowering people through programs that combine learning, creativity, and leadership. Our four main initiatives reflect this mission: the Blessing Project, Art & Reading, Learning is Fun Libraries, and STEMpreneurs: Robotics, Innovation & Financial Literacy.

How do you balance being a kid with being a social entrepreneur?

Balancing being a kid with being a social entrepreneur is definitely a journey, but one I've learned to enjoy. It’s about mixing fun with passion! I make sure to set aside time for play and friends, which keeps me energized and creative. Juggling both roles became easier once I realized that my youthful perspective actually helps me connect with other kids and make a genuine impact. Seeing the joy and change brought about by small actions motivates me to keep going. Plus, the support from friends and family makes it much easier to balance everything. It’s all about blending passion with playfulness!

How do you see your initiatives evolving in the next two years?

In the next two years, I see Heroes & Heart transforming communities by expanding our programs and reaching even more children and families worldwide. I started creating Learning is Fun Libraries when I was just 6 years old, and so far we’ve opened six: Warsaw, Poland for Ukrainian refugees in 2022; Central Africa in 2023; South Africa in 2024; West Africa in 2025; and two in Las Vegas at the Historic Westside and a school in North Las Vegas. These libraries give kids access to books and resources that ignite their imaginations and create new opportunities for learning.

Our STEMpreneurs program will continue to inspire young innovators, teaching them to tackle real-world challenges with creativity and ingenuity. We’ll keep developing leaders who use kindness and collaboration as their superpowers. Ultimately, I hope to spark a global movement where every child feels empowered to make a difference—proving that together, we can change the world.

Another exciting initiative I launched through Heroes & Heart is the Kidpreneur Marketplace, an annual event that empowers young entrepreneurs. The second annual event, held at Meadows Mall in Las Vegas, featured 12 aspiring “kidpreneurs” and drew strong community support, with many booths selling out. Beyond business skills, the marketplace teaches resilience, teamwork, and community engagement—reflecting my broader mission to inspire youth to lead, innovate, and make a positive impact in their communities.

Which project has impacted you the most personally, and why?

One moment that truly moved me while working with Heroes & Heart was during the opening of our first Learning is Fun Library. I was just 6 years old, and the emotions were a whirlwind! I felt an overwhelming sense of excitement and joy—imagining kids diving into books and discovering new worlds made my heart soar. There was a sprinkle of nervousness too, because I wanted everything to be perfect and truly impactful for the community.

But mostly, it was pure gratitude. Seeing a dream turn into reality and witnessing the smiles on the children’s faces reminded me why I started this journey and filled me with a deep sense of purpose and hope.

Another unforgettable moment was at the Kidpreneur Marketplace, watching young entrepreneurs proudly share their creations and explain their ideas to visitors. Seeing their confidence grow and knowing that my work helped give them this opportunity filled me with pride and joy.

These moments—small but powerful—remind me every day that even at a young age, we can make a real difference. They inspire me to keep creating programs, supporting kids, and building a movement where every child feels empowered to lead, create, and make a lasting impact.

Starting Heroes & Heart at just 5 years old opened a world of possibility for me. I quickly learned that community impact isn’t about age—it’s about intention and action. Even small efforts can spark meaningful change. Seeing the excitement of kids exploring our Learning is Fun Libraries, participating in Art & Reading, engaging with our Literacy program, inspiring young innovators in STEMpreneurs, and watching participants shine at the Kidpreneur Marketplace has been incredible. Their curiosity, creativity, and confidence remind me why I started this journey. Each program reinforces that with passion, purpose, and kindness, we can transform communities and inspire future leaders. Starting at such a young age showed me that anyone can make a difference—and it’s been an unbelievably joyful journey.

How do you handle setbacks or failures in your initiatives?

If you’re a young person dreaming of starting a nonprofit, I’d say: go for it! Age is just a number, and your ideas can truly change lives. Start by identifying what you’re passionate about and how you want to make an impact. Look around your community and ask, “What can I do to help?” Then take that idea and just go for it, even if it starts small—every big change begins with a tiny step.

Gather support from friends, family, and mentors who believe in your vision. Stay curious, be resilient, and embrace mistakes as learning opportunities. Most importantly, lead with kindness, creativity, and enthusiasm. Your energy can light up the world, so stay true to your mission—and enjoy the journey!

What story do you want people to tell when they talk about you and your business?

When people talk about me and Heroes & Heart, I want them to share a story of transformative impact—where a young kid dared to dream big and inspired a global movement. I hope they remember how we created joyful learning experiences, empowered young leaders, and used kindness as our superpower. I want them to see how we combined fun with innovation to light up communities and show that anyone—no matter their age—can make a lasting difference. Ultimately, I hope our story is one of hope, possibility, and the incredible power of youth-driven change.