When Axel took the stage at our 2025 LISTEN event, he had no idea that someone in the audience would see so much of himself in his story.

Carlos listened as Axel shared his experiences growing up with a stepdad, their shared cultural roots, and their connection through cross country. He recognized parts of his own life in Axel's words. He stood up and shared that connection with the room.

What began as one young person's story became a moment of recognition between two people whose paths might never otherwise have crossed.

Today, Axel is now a student at UCLA studying engineering. And the connection he made with Carlos reminds us that when we create space for young people to be heard, something meaningful can happen for the storyteller, for the listener, and for the community they share.

This is the power of a meaningful moment.