Great leaders aren’t just defined by their titles they're remembered for the ideas they champion. In this talk, Shamilya explores how bold, visionary thinking fuels meaningful change—in schools, workplaces, and communities. Drawing from her own leadership journey, she shares how championing ideas can transform student success, family engagement, and school culture. Shamilya Woods-Pettis is a Chicago-born educator, speaker, and community leader dedicated to youth empowerment and mental wellness. She brings with her a deep passion to help young people realize their worth and potential. With over a decade of experience teaching in Chicago schools and as a doctoral candidate in Educational Leadership, she combines academic insight with lived experience to inspire both students and educators. Shamilya believes that when young people know their worth, they don’t just survive, they thrive, and she’s committed to creating spaces where they can do exactly that. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx