Gabriel Giron and I with students from the CETA Scholars Program following a conversation about leadership, resilience, and preparing for the next chapter of life.
Yesterday Was Never About Our Story
Yesterday, Gabriel Giron and I had the privilege of spending time with an incredible group of CETA Scholars—young adults who have experienced foster care and are preparing for college and everything that comes after.
Like most speaking engagements, we arrived ready to share our experiences.
But that’s never been my favorite part of this work.
People often assume our job is to walk into a room, tell our story, inspire the audience, and leave.
If I’m being honest, that’s only the beginning.
The best part comes when the presentation ends.
When the microphones don’t matter anymore.
When we stop talking…
…and the students begin sharing.
They Trusted Us With More Than Their Attention
Yesterday these young men and women trusted us with something incredibly valuable.
Not just their attention.
Their dreams.
Their fears.
Their goals.
Pieces of their journey.
Those are gifts.
And I never take that responsibility lightly.
Every story shared reminded me that no matter where someone begins, their future is still being written.
Some of these students have already overcome challenges that many adults will never fully understand.
Yet they continue moving forward—with courage, hope, determination, and an incredible desire to build meaningful lives.
That kind of resilience deserves to be celebrated.
Why I Love Smaller Rooms
I’ve had the privilege of speaking in front of hundreds.
I’ve stood on stages in front of thousands.
Those opportunities are amazing.
But there is something uniquely powerful about a room like this.
A room where you can see every face.
Where every question matters.
Where conversations replace presentations.
Where you’re not simply delivering a message…
You’re building trust.
Those moments remind me that influence has very little to do with crowd size.
Real impact happens one conversation at a time.
Looking Into Tomorrow
Yesterday I wasn’t looking at “students.”
I was looking at tomorrow.
Tomorrow’s teachers.
Tomorrow’s nurses.
Tomorrow’s entrepreneurs.
Tomorrow’s artists.
Tomorrow’s business owners.
Tomorrow’s community leaders.
The labels society places on young people never tell the whole story.
Potential does.
Every young person deserves someone who believes in the person they’re becoming—not just the circumstances they’ve lived through.
Why This Work Matters
People sometimes ask why I continue traveling, speaking, and working with young people.
The answer is simple.
Because conversations change lives.
Not every conversation.
Not every day.
But sometimes one honest conversation becomes the moment someone begins believing in themselves again.
Those are the moments worth showing up for.
Thank You
A heartfelt thank you to the CETA Scholars Program for inviting Gabriel Giron and me into your community.
Thank you for trusting us with your students.
Thank you for creating a space where young people could be seen, heard, challenged, and encouraged.
And thank you to my brother, Gabriel Giron.
Every room we walk into is better because of the authenticity, compassion, and heart you bring.
I couldn’t ask for a better partner to do this work alongside.
One Final Thought
I’ve learned something over the years.
People rarely remember every word of a presentation.
They remember how you made them feel.
Yesterday reminded me that our responsibility isn’t simply to tell our story.
It’s to create space for others to tell theirs.
Because real impact isn’t measured by how many people hear your voice.
It’s measured by how many people leave believing more deeply in their own.
About Credell “Coach Pete” Kitchen
Credell “Coach Pete” Kitchen is a National School Assembly Speaker, youth leadership coach, and founder of the Power of My Leadership framework. He partners with schools, colleges, nonprofits, and community organizations across the United States, helping young people build resilience, leadership, confidence, and a lasting sense of belonging.
coachpeteofficial.com 
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