Demetrius Purvis II is not your average 12-year-old. He is a multi-talented young entrepreneur who has a passion for football, writing, and fashion. He owns his own clothing line and air fresheners, and he recently released his first đ€đ©đȘđđ„renâs book, âAll Through the Gameâ.
The book, which he started writing at age 9, is a rhythmic adventure that will have readers moving and singing. It is based on his love for football and is meant to help đ€đ©đȘđđ„ren with motor and interpersonal sđđŸđđs. The book can be read to the tune of âWheels on the Busâ and features illustrations by his mother, Calnetra Purvis.
Demetrius is also an accomplished athlete who plays as a wide receiver and quarterback for the Georgia Elite Sports Academy. He has been playing football since he was five years old and has scored five touchdowns in a single game. He trains hard every day, running and doing 200 push-ups to stay in shape for his favorite sport. His coach, Eddie Grant, praises him as a âtotal player, a great teammate, very focused, laser-focused, very humble, but a student of the game.â
Demetrius has big dreams for his future. He wants to be an NFL player and a business owner. He also wants to inspire other kids to pursue their goals and passions. He says, âPeople older than me have their own business, and Iâm only 12 having my own business.â
Demetrius is an example of what young black kids can achieve with hard work, creativity, and support. According to the Childrenâs Book Council, only 10% of đ€đ©đȘđđ„renâs books published in 2018 featured black characters. Demetrius hopes to change that by adding his own voice and perspective to the literary world.
He is also part of a small but growing group of young authors in the U.S. According to Statista, there were over 54 thousand writers and authors working in the U.S. in 2022. However, there is no official data on how many of them are under 18 years old. Some estimates suggest that there are around 500 kid authors in the U.S., but the number could be higher as many self-publish their books online.
We want to celebrate Demetrius today. You are an excellent young man. Keep pushing higher and higher. You are truly a Rising African and an able role model for the new African. Rising Africa is a dynamic platform that highlights the remarkable achievements of Africans worldwide and provides up-to-date information on scholarships and sponsorships available to African youth. Our vision is to inspire and empower the next generation of African leaders by showcasing the diverse accomplishments and talents of Africans across different fields, including technology, business, arts and culture, and social activism.
In other news, 12 and 13-Year Old Brothers Run Their Own Bakery While Taking College Courses.
Shane and Nigel Mushambi are not your typical teenagers. The brothers, aged 13 and 12 respectively, are the owners of Two Bros in the Kitchen, a bakery business in Missouri City, Texas. They are also taking college-level courses at Houston Community College, where they study math and engineering. And they have recently published a book to inspire other young people to pursue their dreams.
The Mushambi brothers started their business after winning a local baking competition three years in a row. They decided to sell their cakes and cupcakes, which come in flavors such as red velvet, lemon, and cookies and cream. But they are not just in it for the money. They also donate part of their profits to charity, mainly to organizations that serve the homeless and those that rebuild hospitals in Africa.
âWe like giving back to the community because the community has given a lot to us,â Shane told ABC13. âWe give to Fort Bend Cares and the JB Dondolo Foundation, which is trying to rebuild a hospital in Africa.â
The brothers also use their passion for baking as a way to apply their knowledge of math and science. They say that baking is a mix of art and science, and they need to know how acids react to bases, how temperature affects chemical reactions, and how to measure ingredients accurately.
âI like to bake because itâs a mix of art and a mix of science,â Shane said. âYou need to know how acids react to bases.â
Shane, who is in eighth grade, is taking college-level math and engineering courses at Houston Community College. Nigel, who is in seventh grade, is taking a pre-calculus course in the fall. They both love math and science and aspire to become engineers or doctors in the future. Continue reading about Shane and Nigel here.
Through our Success Stories portal, we celebrate Rising Africans of all ages and sectors who have risen above challenges and made impactful innovations. Our Wonder Kids section features young achievers aged 1-12, while the Super Teens category highlights those aged 13-19, and Young Achievers profiles those aged 20-30. We also have dedicated portals for Women in Africa and persons living with disabilities.
In addition to celebrating African achievement, our Opportunities portal connects African youth to the latest sponsorship, scholarship, awards, and other life-changing opportunities. By providing access to these opportunities, we aim to empower African youth to pursue their dreams and make a positive impact in their communities.
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