{"id":55029,"date":"2022-11-17T17:53:05","date_gmt":"2022-11-17T22:53:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.samsung.com\/us\/?p=55029"},"modified":"2023-05-19T09:38:04","modified_gmt":"2023-05-19T13:38:04","slug":"meet-the-generation17-young-leaders-the-story-of-ay-young","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/samsung-newsroom-production.barbariangroup.com\/us\/meet-generation17-young-leaders-ay-young-story\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet the Generation17 Young Leaders: The Story of AY Young"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Generation17 Introduces Young Leader AY Young | Samsung\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/XqwPF1cfWrQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Before turning to music as a teenager, AY Young was a poet, chronicling life in a tough Kansas City, Missouri, neighborhood. When he began putting his words to music, rapping with an effortless flow and an infectious energy, it was clear he was a natural.<br \/>\nInspired by his parents\u2019 tireless work revitalizing his community, AY wanted to make a difference in the world \u2013 a big difference. In his own distinctive way.<br \/>\nHe decided to combine his passions: He\u2019d create impact through music. Starting out, AY held free concerts at local parks and on street corners, but he struggled to break through to bigger opportunities. In 2012, he decided to self-fund a tour in hopes of reaching a larger audience with his message of helping others and the planet. \u201cI obsessed over how to power a concert anywhere in an environmentally friendly way,\u201d he recalls. \u201cI discovered that energy is the base resource.\u201d<br \/>\nAY partnered with tech-savvy friends to design a portable solar battery to power his microphone, speakers, and laptop. As he promoted renewable energy at free street shows across the country, fans began donating batteries to show their support. He realized, \u201cAnyone can be an outlet\u201d \u2013 that is, doing their part to create a more sustainable world.<br \/>\nAnd thus, the Battery Tour was born.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_55063\" style=\"width: 1450px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-55063\" class=\"wp-image-55063 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/news.samsung.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/01_Generation17_AY_Young.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" srcset=\"https:\/\/img.us.news.samsung.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/21102653\/01_Generation17_AY_Young.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/img.us.news.samsung.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/21102653\/01_Generation17_AY_Young-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/img.us.news.samsung.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/21102653\/01_Generation17_AY_Young-950x534.jpg 950w, https:\/\/img.us.news.samsung.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/21102653\/01_Generation17_AY_Young-438x245.jpg 438w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-55063\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">AY performing a street concert in Kansas City powered by portable solar batteries.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>AY\u2019s next epiphany came a few years later. While touring the U.S. in 2015, he visited cities without reliable electricity or internet. He learned that, globally, close to a billion people lacked access to energy. Nearly a decade later, 789 million people still live without it, according to research from nonprofit Sustainable Energy for All and the United Nations.<br \/>\n\u201cI realized I could use my concerts to help people get energy,\u201d he says. \u201cThat&#8217;s where my mission to getting the world plugged in began.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #999999;\">Technology to Power the Planet<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Digital technology enables AY to spread the word about his shows, connect with fans around the globe, and inspire others to become outlets for change with causes they care about. His solar-powered concerts are raising awareness for sustainable electricity as well as funding the development and deployment of his portable solar batteries to areas in need. The renewable energy technology that powers his performances \u2013 more than 900 concerts and counting \u2013 now also charges local residents\u2019 cellphones and electronics in 17 countries, including Haiti, Honduras, and six African nations. AY has donated 98 solar boxes, which are opening up possibilities by providing communities with access to energy, the internet, and education. In Puerto Rico, the solar boxes are powering medical devices, fans, and lights \u2013 restoring the essentials for people \u2013 after devastating hurricanes and earthquakes.<br \/>\n\u201cWhen I see the impact that electricity has in these communities, it makes me speechless,\u201d he says. \u201cIt also inspires me to continue to help get life-changing energy access to more people.\u201d<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_55064\" style=\"width: 1450px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-55064\" class=\"wp-image-55064 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/news.samsung.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/02_Generation17_AY_Young.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" srcset=\"https:\/\/img.us.news.samsung.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/21102656\/02_Generation17_AY_Young.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/img.us.news.samsung.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/21102656\/02_Generation17_AY_Young-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/img.us.news.samsung.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/21102656\/02_Generation17_AY_Young-950x534.jpg 950w, https:\/\/img.us.news.samsung.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/21102656\/02_Generation17_AY_Young-438x245.jpg 438w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-55064\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A child in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, uses a portable solar battery donated by AY to charge his cellphone.<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #999999;\">Project 17<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Next, AY is writing and producing an album titled \u201cProject 17,\u201d conceived to support the United Nations\u2019 17 sustainability priorities \u2013 the Global Goals \u2013 including ensuring equitable quality education, ending poverty, and providing access to sustainable energy. He\u2019s teaming with 17 artists to raise funds and awareness for the issues they care about. Each song also supports a nonprofit organization like the National Wildlife Federation and the Plastic Pollution Coalition.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-55060\" src=\"https:\/\/news.samsung.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/03_Generation17_AY_Young.jpg\" alt=\"AY writing lyrics for \u201cProject 17\u201d at his home studio in Kansas City.\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" srcset=\"https:\/\/img.us.news.samsung.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/21102642\/03_Generation17_AY_Young.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/img.us.news.samsung.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/21102642\/03_Generation17_AY_Young-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/img.us.news.samsung.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/21102642\/03_Generation17_AY_Young-950x534.jpg 950w, https:\/\/img.us.news.samsung.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/21102642\/03_Generation17_AY_Young-438x245.jpg 438w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/><br \/>\nAY\u2019s lyrics challenge listeners to \u201cpick a passion\u201d and \u201cplug-in\u201d or take action \u2013 a central theme of his music and sustainability efforts. \u201cIt&#8217;s about small steps,\u201d he says. \u201cIt could be as simple as carpooling to your prom, recycling your phone, or using social media to get more outlets to take small actions that preserve our planet.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-55061\" src=\"https:\/\/news.samsung.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/04_Generation17_AY_Young.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1440\" height=\"752\" srcset=\"https:\/\/img.us.news.samsung.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/21102647\/04_Generation17_AY_Young.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/img.us.news.samsung.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/21102647\/04_Generation17_AY_Young-600x313.jpg 600w, https:\/\/img.us.news.samsung.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/21102647\/04_Generation17_AY_Young-950x496.jpg 950w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-55062\" src=\"https:\/\/news.samsung.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/05_Generation17_AY_Young_Contact_Card.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1440\" height=\"798\" srcset=\"https:\/\/img.us.news.samsung.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/21102650\/05_Generation17_AY_Young_Contact_Card.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/img.us.news.samsung.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/21102650\/05_Generation17_AY_Young_Contact_Card-600x333.jpg 600w, https:\/\/img.us.news.samsung.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/21102650\/05_Generation17_AY_Young_Contact_Card-950x526.jpg 950w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Before turning to music as a teenager, AY Young was a poet, chronicling life in a tough Kansas City, Missouri, neighborhood. When he began putting his words to music, rapping with an effortless flow and an infectious energy, it was clear he was a natural. Inspired by his parents\u2019 tireless work revitalizing his community, AY [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":84,"featured_media":55062,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17570],"tags":[29806,28279,20058,50,29590],"blue-badge":[],"class_list":["post-55029","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-corporate-sustainability","tag-ay-young","tag-global-goals","tag-recycling","tag-sustainability","tag-united-nations-development-programme-undp"],"acf":{"turn_off_retargeting":false},"fimg_mobile_url":"https:\/\/img.us.news.samsung.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/21102650\/05_Generation17_AY_Young_Contact_Card.jpg","fimg_url":"https:\/\/img.us.news.samsung.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/21102650\/05_Generation17_AY_Young_Contact_Card.jpg","primary_category":{"term_id":17570,"name":"Sustainability","slug":"corporate-sustainability","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":17570,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":29719,"count":207,"filter":"raw","term_link":"https:\/\/samsung-newsroom-production.barbariangroup.com\/us\/category\/corporate\/corporate-sustainability\/","term_path":"corporate\/corporate-sustainability"},"badge":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/samsung-newsroom-production.barbariangroup.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55029","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/samsung-newsroom-production.barbariangroup.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/samsung-newsroom-production.barbariangroup.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samsung-newsroom-production.barbariangroup.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/84"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samsung-newsroom-production.barbariangroup.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=55029"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/samsung-newsroom-production.barbariangroup.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55029\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samsung-newsroom-production.barbariangroup.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/55062"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samsung-newsroom-production.barbariangroup.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=55029"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samsung-newsroom-production.barbariangroup.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=55029"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samsung-newsroom-production.barbariangroup.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=55029"},{"taxonomy":"blue-badge","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samsung-newsroom-production.barbariangroup.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blue-badge?post=55029"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}