Flint, Michigan, is one of the many sites in the United States where you can find "Black Lives Matter" sprawlingly written on many of the streets. A BLM mural was unveiled earlier this month by none other than Little Miss Flint, Amariyanna "Mari" Copeny.
Mari first stepped into the spotlight at just 8 years old. She wrote a letter to then-President Barack Obama drawing attention to the water crisis in her hometown. President Obama responded to her letter. He said, "Letters from kids like you are what make me so optimistic about the future."
President Obama visited Flint and saw what was going on firsthand. This, in turn, raised public awareness. Flint residents still struggle with the issue to this day, with infrastructure repairs to be completed this year at the earliest.
Mari has continued advocating for her community all along. She's also helped mobilize people to advocate in their own communities and has served as a youth activist who actively comments on current events. She does it all with the love and support of her family. On July 6, Mari will celebrate her 13th birthday. It's incredible to see everything she's accomplished in the last five years.
Mari Copeny captured the nation's attention by writing a simple letter. When she was 8 years old in 2016, Mari wrote an email to President Barack Obama discussing the water crisis in her hometown of Flint, Michigan.
"I am one of the children that is [affected] by this water and I've been doing my best to march in protest and to speak out for all the kids that live here in Flint," she wrote.
Mari asked to meet with President Obama when she was in Washington, DC. Instead, he decided to visit Flint.
"I am so proud of you for using your voice to speak out on behalf of the children of Flint. That's why I want you to be the first to know that I'm coming to visit Flint on May 4th," he wrote.
"I want to make sure people like you and your family are receiving the help you need and deserve. Like you, I'll use my voice to call for change and help lift up your community."
Mari has done more than her impressive advocacy for her community. She's fundraised for Pack Your Back and to send kids to see the film Black Panther. She regularly crowdfunds smaller community-based projects. Her current project, the Little Miss Flint Clean Water Fund, has raised over $250,000 and hopes to raise more than $300,000 by her 13th birthday on July 6.
The Water Insecurity Correction Coalition created a scholarship program in her honor:
"The Mari Copeny Award and Scholarship for graduating high school seniors is meant to honor Mari's legacy as a dedicated social justice warrior and encourage community involvement and leadership in young adults. In 2020, six winners from Flint Michigan, Newark New Jersey, and Greenwich New York won the award. Each award winner receives a $100 cash scholarship."
Recently, Riverdale actress Lili Reinhart promoted Black activists and change makers in support of Black Lives Matter. She featured Mari in a post earlier this month.
"I feel powerful when I be at the protests. At the same time, it's like fun because like the whole community has come together and talks about what's going on. And they start chanting and doing stuff," Mari said of her activism.
Lili also invited Mari to visit the Riverdale set one day. "We would love to have you. For real, girl! You're totally allowed to come," she said.
Mari also powerfully spoke out at a recent Flint youth protest. "When do I go from cute to being a threat? At what point is the color of my skin seen as a weapon? Is it when I turn 13?" Mari asked a crowd, knowing how close the milestone is.
Mari also had the opportunity to showcase the Black Lives Matter mural on the streets of Flint. She shared a video of her skateboarding the length of the mural forward and backward.
"We gon be alright ✊ ✊ ✊ Honored to join @flintpublicart on their first mural of the year, drone footage by @branddiversesolutions . #BlackLivesMatter #Flint #blackgirlsskatetoo," she captioned the video.
Mari has accomplished so much in her nearly 13 years. She has fundraised over $500,000, impacting over 25,000 children in Flint and beyond. She has inspired kids across the country to get involved in their communities and the world around them.
Mari also still passionately advocates for Flint. The infrastructure repair is still a work in process, but officials say the water is safe. She speaks out for the residents who are still weary, admitting her own family continues to exclusively use bottled water.
She also has a rallying call for the 2020 presidential candidates.
"I am calling on all the presidential candidates to do a town hall with the youth, where kids are moderating and asking the questions about what is most important," she told Today.
Mari has presidential aspirations of her own. She's got her eye on 2044, when she'll be 36 years old.
If you'd like to celebrate Mari's birthday, you can send her your warm wishes. Her mom LuLu is organizing it so that fans can wish Mari a happy birthday with cards in the mail. There's sure to be a lot of celebrating in store for the special girl on her special day.
Mari hopes to serve as an inspiration, especially to young girls. She has some sage advice for them. "My advice to girls is to always believe in yourself and in the work that you are doing, even if the work is hard and it sometimes feels impossible," she said.
"You can do it. You can change the world right now. You don't have to wait until you grow up."
