Creating Spaces Where Youth Shine

Partner Spotlight: Caroline Inspires

“This work goes beyond passion. Passion can waver. This is my assignment.” - Caroline "Inspires" Bennett

At Lead The Way, our partnerships are built on more than collaboration—they’re built on shared vision, deep trust, and a commitment to walking alongside young people as they prepare for the future. Few partners embody this more than Caroline “Inspires” Bennett, the Founder and CEO of Caroline Inspires LLC.

Caroline is a speaker, artist, and consultant whose work has touched more than 40,000 youth across 19 states. A proud native of North Tulsa, Oklahoma, now based in Columbus, she has dedicated her life to creating access, equity, and opportunity for Black youth. To date, she’s raised and invested more than $127,000 directly into transitional support, mental health services, basic needs, and immersive life experiences for young people.

Her connection with Lead The Way began in 2018 while serving as a Site Coordinator with Communities In Schools, an organization that connects students with community resources. In that role, she connected students with vital resources—Lead The Way being one of the most impactful. Soon after, she became a coach supporting students one-on-one in their academic and personal journeys. During the pandemic, her role shifted to designing and hosting student-centered conferences as a subcontractor. Today, she continues as a trusted partner and advocate, encouraging students to apply for programs, engage deeply, and maximize every opportunity.

Caroline recently wrapped up this summer’s CTRL + ALT + SPEAK Open Mic Series, an event series that showcases youth and their creative abilities. One memory that stays with Caroline are the handful of nervous students who were hesitant to sign up. But after their first performance, something shifts. “Each student came off stage saying, ‘Can I do it again?’” Caroline recalls. “That moment was proof that these kinds of spaces are necessary and transformative.”

A Shared Commitment to Youth

Caroline describes her partnership with Lead The Way as rooted in a shared vision. “What inspired my partnership with Lead The Way was the vision of Anthony Murphy [LTW Executive Director]. His unwavering commitment to centering youth voices and my own calling to co-curate spaces where young people are not only heard and seen, but valued and compensated for their gifts.”

For her, this work is not just a passion project—it’s her life’s assignment. What sustains the collaboration, she says, is the shared commitment to following through: “Vision alone is not enough—our collaboration has been about following through, excellence, and building trust with students and families who depend on us.”

Career Readiness and Postsecondary Pathways

Caroline emphasizes that preparing for the future is no longer optional—it’s essential. “Career readiness and postsecondary planning are not a luxury, they’re a necessity,” she explains. She believes readiness extends beyond resumes and job skills. It’s about self-knowledge and understanding the wide range of opportunities available—college, trade, entrepreneurship, or the arts.

“When students have access to career readiness and postsecondary planning,” she notes, “they are better able to make informed choices, break cycles, and pursue futures where their gifts are seen as both valid and valuable.”

Creating Opportunities for Our Youth

Caroline Inspires LLC creates workshops, mentorships, and programs that meet immediate needs while also paving pathways for long-term goals. This includes reinvesting resources into mental health support, transitional aid, mentorship, and immersive travel experiences that underserved youth would not otherwise have access to.

She also prioritizes connecting youth with paid opportunities and platforms to showcase their gifts. “By ensuring youth are seen, heard, and compensated, we help dismantle barriers and expand the definition of what success can look like.”

The Power of Partnership

Caroline believes partnerships between nonprofits, schools, and community organizations are essential for workforce development. She draws on African proverbs—“It takes a village to raise a child”—and scripture from 1 Corinthians. “In the same way, nonprofits, schools, and community organizations are not in competition, but in collaboration. Each brings unique gifts and resources, and when we work together, we are able to see and serve the whole child.”

Caroline’s current year-long partnership with Lead The Way focuses on aspiring artists, public speakers, and entrepreneurs. “We want to make sure that youth—especially Black youth—are not exploited for their stories or their strength. Instead, they deserve to be equipped with the knowledge, skillsets, and exposure that come from real-world experiences.”

Her approach also emphasizes supporting families and communities alongside students, ensuring consistent, transparent communication.

A Call to Action

Caroline encourages other businesses, organizations, and individuals to reflect on what she calls the Five C’s: Capacity, Commitment, Communication, Consistency, and Creativity. When these principles are practiced, involvement goes beyond charity and becomes true partnership.

“And it’s that kind of partnership,” she says, “that transforms not just students’ lives, but entire families and communities.”

At Lead The Way, we are grateful for Caroline “Inspires” Bennett’s vision, dedication, and ongoing collaboration. Together, we’re creating spaces where young people don’t just survive, but thrive—and shine.