We were lucky to catch up with Jaidon Louis Stiggers recently and have shared our conversation below.
Jaidon, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
My resilience stems from my grandmother, Lisa Coleman, who has been a constant example of strength and determination throughout my life. She has faced countless challenges, both personal and professional, yet she never allowed those obstacles to define her. Instead, she tackled each hurdle with grace, persistence, and an unwavering belief in herself. No matter what life threw her way, she kept pushing forward, never losing sight of her goals.
What I admire most about her is her ability to persevere no matter the difficulty. Whether it was overcoming financial struggles, navigating the complexities of running a nonprofit, or balancing family responsibilities, she faced it all head-on. Her resilience has taught me that no matter how hard things get, you can rise above your circumstances if you believe in your purpose and work toward it with everything you have.
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?
Growing up in a family deeply involved in nonprofits and dedicated to giving back to the community, I’ve been inspired to follow in their footsteps. This commitment to service is a fundamental part of who I am. HYPE, originally founded in 2007 by my late father, Nick Louis Pena, and my grandmother, Lisa Coleman, is especially meaningful to me. From the moment I understood the purpose behind HYPE, I knew I wanted to be involved and contribute to its mission as soon as I was able.
Now, as part of the HYPE team, my vision is to expand the services we offer and increase the number of young people we support each year. HYPE’s focus is on mentoring at-risk youth, offering them educational opportunities and essential resources to help them overcome the challenges they face. We believe in working closely with each individual, providing a personalized, one-on-one experience that allows us to meet their unique needs. Our goal is to guide them back onto a path of success and help them realize their full potential.
It’s an honor to carry forward the vision my father and grandmother had for HYPE, and I’m passionate about making an even greater impact in the years to come. As we grow, I’m committed to ensuring that we reach more youth and continue to offer the kind of mentorship and guidance that can truly change lives.
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?
The qualities I value most are perseverance, openness to learning, and finding something meaningful that you believe in. These principles have shaped my journey so far, and I think they can be a strong foundation for anyone looking to grow and make an impact.
I’m still early in my journey, and I know there’s a lot ahead of me—this is just the beginning. For other young people like myself who are eager to develop their interests, my advice is to seek out someone who is already doing the work you aspire to do. Don’t be afraid to reach out to them and ask if they’d be willing to mentor you. Most people appreciate seeing that kind of initiative.
Additionally, take a closer look at your own family. Identify the people you admire for their values, work ethic, or contributions, and ask them how you can help or get involved. Family can be a great starting point for finding guidance and support.
Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?
I like to focus on my strengths and seek help when I’m less confident in certain areas. I strongly believe in teamwork, where each person brings their unique skills and perspective to the table. Collaboration is most effective when you have a diverse group of talents working together toward a shared goal. You can’t be the best at everything, but that’s where continual learning comes in, especially in areas where you know you can grow.
For instance, I’m skilled at planning events, but sometimes I struggle with executing those plans and turning my vision into reality. When that happens, I turn to my team. I communicate my ideas and ask for their feedback and help in developing a solid plan. This approach allows me to tap into their strengths, which ultimately helps bring the project to life. It’s through this kind of teamwork that great ideas truly come together.
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Joel Garcia -JGarcia Productionz
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