The UB Interview: Orion Jean Talks ‘Race to Kindness’

Today, thirteen-year-old author Orion Jean, TIME Magazine‘s 2021 Kid of the Year, has released his new children’s book, “Race to Kindness” via Zonderkidz.

With illustrations by Darshika Varma, the book is inspired by Orion’s accomplishments, including getting over a half million books donated to children and collecting over 100,000 meals for the food insecure in his community and across the country, all beginning when he was nine years old.

“Race to Kindness” features a boy who takes on small acts of kindness – like a smile or a wave – to bigger actions – where everyone matters and everyone can make a difference. Based on Orion’s Be K.I.N.D. initiative, the characters in the book use the letters in the word “kind” to “Keep your eyes open,” “Include others,” think about how “Nothing is too small” and to “Do something about it” when someone is struggling or facing a challenge.

Orion’s Be K.I.N.D. initiative was created in 2020, following his win at the National Kindness Speech Contest as a fifth grader. He wanted to encourage others to donate as well, so he started the Race to 500 Toys, but his efforts didn’t stop there. Orion then went on to team up with his community to donate meals to those in need, as well as collecting books to donate to students, and reached a half million books in just a few short months.

Orion is not only a successful author, public speaker, and advocate, but the youngest speaker participant to speak at the Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School (at age 11).

Orion hopes this story inspires YOU to be a part of the “kindness ripple effect” in your own way. Remember, every BIG wave starts with a SMALL splash. You can start by finding something you are passionate about, telling a trusted adult, coming up with a plan, and then taking your first steps to making your own difference in the world.

And remember, join the Race to Kindness, “because the best part is, everybody wins!”

Aries from UB spoke to the inspiring Orion Jean about his new book “Race to Kindness.”

Orion shares why he felt it was important to do this book and gushes about the illustrations from Darshika Varma.

The young leader also tells us about “Race to 1,000,000 Acts of Kindness” and why he enjoys donating meals.

Plus as TIME Magazine’s 2021 Kid of the Year, he shares what it was like to receive that honor and more!