Aarushi Pant

Activist/Journalist

Aarushi Pant is a freelance journalist and activist at 17 years old, making her our youngest speaker at SXTi’s event this year. She is the founder of two organizations, Spectrum, and WishforEquality. Spectrum is an online platform for the LGBTQ+ community, it is a Houston-based advocacy group that provides resources for the community to empower, uplift, and amplify the stories and experiences of LGBTQ+ youth. WishforEquality is an organization advocating for women’s rights and empowerment through summer programs and mentorships for underrepresented girls.

Shawn Elliot

Author

Shaw Elliot is an author and speaker. His book “Be still, little tree, be still.” has been awarded the 2018 Innovation Grant Winner, but his life was different before he was successful. He started out jobless which contributed to his crippling anxiety resulting in him being homebound. Shaw shares his story with the youth about being scared of the real world to being independent and free and leaves the relieving message of strength in the face of adversity.