Michelle Ellis, The Impact Architect
Michelle Ellis is a force of inspiration and purpose. As the founder of The YOU Awards International, this longtime Villa Rica resident has spent over a decade celebrating the brilliance of young people worldwide. Inspired by her mentor, civil rights leader and media mogul Xernona Clayton, Michelle transformed her experience volunteering with Clayton’s organization, The Trumpet Awards, into a vision to honor youth. With encouragement from her husband, Steven, and parents, Patrick and Elizabeth, she launched The YOU Awards. Now, over a decade later, they’ve recognized over 70 outstanding young people in academics, sports, technology, fine arts, community service, entertainment, business and more.
Why is it so important to recognize young people?
We believe that sharing the achievements of young people will only ignite the fuel in other young people to be their best selves everywhere. They need to know that we see them, we hear them, we recognize their worth, and we applaud them. Young people are our greatest asset!
What do you think is the secret to aging gracefully?
I think when you love and take care of yourself—which includes mind, body and spirit—this helps with aging gracefully. Besides my mentor and my mother, I think people like actresses Angela Bassett and Jamie Lee Curtis have aged gracefully.
How has the definition of “living your best life” changed since your 20s or 30s?
In my 20s and 30s, I was becoming a mother and a wife. My focus was on family and building my career. Now, as I’m getting older, my focus is still on family, building my career and growing my nonprofit, but my attention has shifted back to me a bit. I am now more conscious about the things that make me happy, like traveling, trying new restaurants and planning for my future.
