Blаkе Nеwbоrn founder оf Teen Talk Hotline, fоundеd hіѕ оwn non-profit оrgаnіzаtіоn аt аgе 15. Currеntlу works wіth Lady Gaga аnd her Born Thіѕ Wау Fоundаtіоn fоr аn іnіtіаtіvе оf Chаnnеl Kіndnеѕѕ! On his free time, Blake іѕ a ѕеlf-lеаrnіng рhоtоgrарhеr, аthlеtе, writer, mоdеl, and activist. Whеn hе lаunсhеd Tееn Talk Hоtlіnе, he was gоіng thrоugh a difficult period in his life. When he was 15 in high school, hе was hаrаѕѕеd and bullіеd. Thе hаrаѕѕmеnt became so bad that their wеrе tіmеѕ when he didn’t even want tо gеt оut оf bеd bесаuѕе оf thе wау hіѕ сlаѕѕmаtеѕ treated him.
Hіѕ сlаѕѕmаtеѕ would bullу hіm bесаuѕе of hіѕ ѕеxuаlіtу аnd hіѕ mаnnеrіѕmѕ. Thе worst раrt wаѕ the hаrаѕѕmеnt wаѕ соmрlеtеlу unprovoked. Onе day, hе hаd tо mаkе a рrеѕеntаtіоn іn frоnt оf thоѕе vеrу рееrѕ thаt mаdе hіm fееl so unwаntеd. Dеѕріtе how hе fеlt, he mаnаgеd tо gо to ѕсhооl thаt dау. Durіng hіѕ рrеѕеntаtіоn, whісh was a ѕреесh аbоut hоw kіndnеѕѕ can bеnеfіt оthеrѕ, Blake’s сlаѕѕmаtеѕ ѕtаrtеd tо lаugh and make fun of the wау hе wаѕ рrеѕеntіng hіѕ ѕреесh. It mаdе him dерrеѕѕеd and hіѕ аnxіеtу lеvеl ѕоаrеd.
Check out the interview below to learn more!
Hi, Blake! Thank you for granting the interview. We’re excited to speak with you about “Teen Talk Hotline.” What inspired you to start the hotline?
I always felt inspired and motivated to make a change in the world ever since I was a little kid but I didn’t know exactly what my purpose was until about when I reached the beginning of high school when I got bullied for my sexuality. At those moments when I was hurting, I knew that was where I had to start to make a difference in the world. That’s when I created Teen Talk Hotline.
Related: Interview with Blake Newborn Founder of Teen Talk Hotline Talks Bullying and LGBT+
Bullying has increased over the years. More school-aged children are reporting being harassed for being different, whether it’s their interests or sexuality? Do you believe social media has played a role in the increase?
Throughout your life, you will always notice that everyone is different from you in some way. In school, the bullying rates are increasing only for the specific reason of being “different”, having different opinions, or dressing differently from everyone else around you. To me, I believe social media is playing a huge role in the increasing bullying rates. Mostly everyone is connected outside of school or work by social media. You post your thoughts, pictures or videos that every one of those people can see if they follow you or if its made public. It’s like everything you do is being watched. You may have your account private but screenshots get around that.
In your previous interview, you managed to be able to turn your pain around. This is how Teen Talk Hotline was formed. Why should teens use the hotline?
When you are going through a rough time and you feel like no one is listening to you, there are always people on a hotline that will be willing to listen to how you are feeling and help you. As of right now, Teen Talk Hotline does not have a hotline but we direct people who need help to the resources we have.
What are some of the benefits the hotline provides?
As I stated in the last question, Teen Talk Hotline does not have a hotline just yet because we do not have the funds to develop one. I decided to think of an alternate decision with the same purpose as a hotline and that was to create a platform (www.teentalkhotline.org) where you can read articles, view our resources, and/or submit an article to help/inspire others by making your voice heard.
What has been your biggest challenge in starting the hotline?
The biggest challenge by far that I have faced is managing everything all at once by yourself especially when I was a teen. I know it sounds hectic but I overcame this challenge by using my time wisely and doing multiple things at once if I am able to.
What’s the ultimate direction of the hotline?
Over the years of starting Teen Talk Hotline, it has changed from a simple group chat to a website and eventually it will be an actual hotline. With technology changing every day, Teen Talk Hotline could be anything or everything. I see Teen Talk Hotline having a bright and successful future.
You held a campaign called #YouAreCampaign. Tell us about it.
The #YouAreCampaign was our September 2017 campaign that had a purpose of empowering people. Every day for a month, we posted pictures on our Instagram that had a different message of “You Are.”
As of right now, we launched our X Out Hatred campaign back in April. X Out Hatred is a project that was introduced by Teen Talk Hotline to bring awareness on the hatred that still exists today and how to overcome it if it affects you. Throughout this campaign, a series of videos will be released on our YouTube channel about certain topics.
The first episode is about Self-Hate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ekxBevPh1U
Our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxpjbtJqCgGoGGXHUuy2U8w
More information about X Out Hatred: https://www.teentalkhotline.org/xouthatred
Who are your biggest LGBTQ+ influences and why?
My biggest LGBTQ+ idol would be Lady Gaga. Throughout my life, her music has always touched the inner part of my soul. She empowered me to be who I am without caring what anybody would think or say about me. She gave me the strength through the music she wrote and produces.
My favorite LGBTQ+ icons would be Troye Sivan, Miley Cyrus, Trevor Moran, Katy Perry, BEYONCE, Taylor Swift, Cardi B, and CupcakKe. Shoutout to all you lovely artists for giving me the bops to feel empowered.
When looking back on your teens years, what resonates with you the most and why?
Teen Talk Hotline always resonates with me when I look back. Turning 18 this year, I look back and I still can’t believe I launched an organization at 15! It is just amazing and I thank my past self for giving me the courage to go this far and to continue on with it. Teen Talk Hotline gave me a voice and many opportunities along with that throughout my teenage years.
In your opinion, how could a teen make an impact on the world?
A simple teen can make a big difference. Your voice is a powerful thing that should be used to make a positive difference. For example, let’s look back on March 4 Our Lives that was organized by teens and is now a movement followed by millions. It all takes one step to a bigger one.
If you had to do it all over again, would you still choose to create the hotline? Would you do anything differently?
If I had to do it all over again, I would have to choose to stick with creating the hotline. It has grown with me and I feel connected to it since I created it out of the pain I felt from being bullied. The connection will always last and be there. I wouldn’t change anything in my past because it is what made me who I am today!
Do you have anything else you would like to share about your modeling career?
As of right now, I am working on building my modeling portfolio. I teased everyone with the first ever photoshoot I had that my best friend, Chris, took of me which can be seen down below! The reactions and support were amazing and positive!
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