Mission Forward with Carrie Fox

Nicole Lynn Lewis is the founder and CEO of Generation Hope and an incredible leader in the fight against poverty and the stigma surrounding it. Her specific area of focus? Teen mothers.

You see, Nicole is a former teen mother herself, rocked by this sudden life change that upended her life at a young age. But she was able to rebound, to put herself through college with a three-month-old daughter along for the ride.

"... across higher education, about one in five undergraduate students across the country are parenting. It's almost five million students," she says. "It is an invisible population ... a population more likely to be women and women of color, particularly black women."

Nicole decided to do something. She wrote a book, Pregnant Girl: A Story of Teen Motherhood, College, and Creating a Better Future for Young Families, and Generation Hope was born. It's a nonprofit dedicated to supporting teen parents and their children through mentorship, emotional support and guidance, and financial resources they need to thrive through college and kindergarten, a two-generation solution to poverty.

Nicole's story is amazing, inspiring, and challenging all at once. Join us and hear how her story truly shaped the future of this movement. Our deep thanks to Nicole for joining us on Mission Forward.
  • (00:00) - Welcome to Mission Forward
  • (03:24) - A Story that Launched a Movement
  • (11:12) - Exploring Champions
  • (14:16) - The Invisible Common
  • (16:50) - Making the Story Real for Those who can Make Change
  • (21:03) - Pressing Issues
  • (24:01) - Moving Through Urgency, With Urgency, and not Against Urgency

What is Mission Forward with Carrie Fox?

Mission Forward: An award-winning podcast for communicators on a mission.

Hosted by social impact expert and B Corp leader Carrie Fox, each episode of Mission Forward explores the power of communications. With just the right mix of practical and thought-provoking content, we take on the issues that matter to you, and that support your work as a communicator for change.

Together, we talk through topics that you’re likely experiencing right now: from how to tackle tough conversations; to how to best challenge stereotypes; to how we can build bridges across the issues that divide us. If you’re working to become a more inclusive and thoughtful communicator, there’s nothing holding you back—except you.

About Season 9

Communication is essential to moving missions forward. Whether you’re trying to advance a strategic goal, drive change in an organization or raise funds to increase your impact, how you communicate matters. And with the noise of today’s world, it matters even more that your message be delivered, heard, remembered, AND acted upon. Getting there requires more than words.

We’ve entered a consequential year. Every decision will matter. Care, courage, and civility will matter too.

On season 9 of the Mission Forward podcast, host and social impact communications expert Carrie Fox will be with you through it all. With episodes dropping every Thursday, this season will feature a host of thought leaders who will share their take on this critical year and how they navigate the issues ahead. We’ll dig into key issues you’re facing, we’ll inspire you with fresh ideas and practical insights, and we’ll show you how to apply the key practices of courageous leadership to your work. Come along as we practice a more-than-words approach to communications and leadership.

* About the Host (https://www.missionforward.us/about-carrie)
* Listen to Past Episodes (https://www.missionforward.us/episodes)