We recently connected with Cameo Thomas and have shared our conversation below.
Cameo, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
Finding my purpose wasn’t an overnight discovery—it was a journey marked by challenges, reflection, and transformation. For a long time, I felt like I was going through the motions, carrying the weight of pain and unfulfilled dreams. It wasn’t until I took the time to truly sit with myself, process my experiences, and recognize the lessons hidden within my struggles that I began to see the path forward.
My book, Pain Power Purpose: Release, Regain, and Reveal What is Within, is a reflection of that journey. It captures the transformative process I went through to uncover my purpose. Pain often has a way of breaking us open, but it’s in those moments of brokenness that we can also find our greatest strength. I realized that my pain wasn’t meant to define me—it was meant to refine me. Through faith, introspection, and a commitment to growth, I began to understand that my purpose was tied to empowering others to overcome their own struggles and rediscover their power.
Writing this book was a way to share that process and encourage others to embark on their own journey of self-discovery. It’s about showing people that within their pain lies the seed of their purpose, and through intentional release, they can regain their strength and reveal the greatness that’s always been within them.
Purpose isn’t something we find externally—it’s something we uncover internally, often through the trials we face. My journey, and this book, are reminders that there’s power in embracing the process and allowing it to transform you.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Thank you for the opportunity to share my journey! I am the founder of Elate Youth Mentoring, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering young people to reach their full potential. My passion for this work stems from my own journey of self-discovery and transformation, which I shared in my book, Pain Power Purpose: Release, Regain, and Reveal What is Within and my most recent book The Rebirth: Rediscover Your Purpose, Renew Your Power. Much like my books, this nonprofit is about guiding others to unlock the greatness within them.
At Elate Youth Mentoring, we focus on providing young people with the tools, guidance, and support they need to navigate life’s challenges, discover their purpose, and build a brighter future. We offer mentorship programs that emphasize personal development, leadership, and community engagement, ensuring our youth feel supported, heard, and empowered to dream big.
What excites me most about this work is the opportunity to make a lasting impact. Every young person we mentor has unique potential, and being part of their journey as they step into their power is incredibly rewarding. The most special part of our organization is the genuine connection we foster between mentors and mentees, creating a safe and nurturing environment where growth and transformation can flourish.
I’m thrilled to share that Elate Youth Mentoring is launching programming in January 2025! It’s been a long journey to get to this point, from securing space to assembling a committed team of volunteers and mentors—all of whom undergo thorough background checks to ensure the safety and quality of our program. We are also working on expanding our impact by exploring grant opportunities and planning to purchase a dedicated space for the organization.
This isn’t just a program; it’s a movement to inspire hope and transformation in the lives of young people. I invite readers who share this passion for empowering youth to join us—whether by volunteering, mentoring, or simply spreading the word about what we do. Together, we can build a legacy that uplifts and inspires the next generation.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back on my journey, I’d say the three qualities that were most impactful in shaping my path were resilience, vision, and adaptability. Each played a crucial role in overcoming challenges, pursuing my purpose, and building my nonprofit, Elate Youth Mentoring.
1. Resilience
Resilience allowed me to push forward through moments of doubt, rejection, and hardship. Life threw its share of obstacles my way, but instead of letting those moments define me, I chose to let them refine me. Resilience is about getting back up after every fall and learning from each experience.
Advice: Cultivate resilience by embracing challenges as opportunities to grow. Don’t fear failure—it’s often a stepping stone to success. Surround yourself with people who encourage and uplift you, and never underestimate the power of self-care to replenish your energy when the road gets tough.
2. Vision
Having a clear vision kept me focused and gave me the drive to turn dreams into reality. Whether it was writing my book, Pain Power Purpose, or building Elate Youth Mentoring, knowing my “why” kept me anchored. My vision wasn’t just about achieving personal success; it was about creating a lasting impact on others.
Advice: Take time to define your vision. Reflect on what truly matters to you and how you want to make a difference. Write it down, revisit it often, and let it guide your decisions. A strong vision can keep you motivated even when the path forward isn’t clear.
3. Adaptability
If there’s one constant in life, it’s change. Learning to adapt helped me navigate unexpected setbacks, like pausing enrollment for Elate Youth Mentoring to secure volunteers and space. Instead of being discouraged, I pivoted and refocused on long-term solutions, such as pursuing grants and building a strong team.
Advice: Develop adaptability by staying open to change and being willing to pivot when necessary. View obstacles as opportunities to rethink your approach. Flexibility doesn’t mean abandoning your goals—it means finding new ways to achieve them.
For anyone early in their journey, remember this: success is rarely a straight line. Be patient with yourself, embrace the process, and keep building the qualities that will carry you through. Above all, stay committed to your purpose and trust that everything you’re learning along the way is preparing you for what’s next.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
For Elate Youth Mentoring
With Elate Youth Mentoring, I’m actively seeking partnerships with individuals and organizations who are passionate about empowering youth. This includes potential mentors, volunteers, corporate sponsors, grant writers, and community leaders who want to support our mission of creating impactful programming for young people. We’re also interested in partnering with schools, local businesses, and nonprofits to expand our reach and amplify our impact.
How to Connect
If you’re interested in collaborating, I’d love to hear from you! You can connect with me through the following:
Email: info@cameothomas.com & info@elateyouth.org
Website: www.cameothomas.com & www.elateyouth.org
Social Media: @cameo.thomas & @elateyouth
Let’s work together to make a difference—whether it’s through sharing stories, empowering audiences, or shaping the future for the next generation. I truly believe that collaboration can amplify impact, and I’m excited to partner with like-minded individuals and organizations!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cameothomas.com & www.elateyouth.org
- Instagram: cameo.thomas & elateyouth
- Facebook: Cameo Thomas (Cameo Reed)
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameo-thomas-24214a1a2
- Twitter: cameo.thomas
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
