Today we’d like to introduce you to Gianni Harrington.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I got to where I am today with the grace of God—to whomever we all believe that may be. I battled a rigorous and demanding childhood. A childhood that was isolating, built around shame, greed, and manipulation. Yet, as a teenager, I learned self-respect and practiced grit, resilience, and internal optimism. I knew deep within myself that any moment I’d ever experienced my softness—my true gift to the world—that was ideally the environment and life I was striving for. Along the way, though, I lost myself. My softest self.
By my early 20s, I was still in survival mode—physically over four hours away from where my trauma first unfolded, but still emotionally trapped within it. I battled the trauma from childhood and adolescence: abuse, neglect, starvation, homelessness, instability, and witnessing drug and alcohol abuse. Quite a few adverse childhood experiences. The reason it even had that great a distance was because of what I did after I had full autonomy… I went for the stars.
Within those first couple of decades, I experienced high recognition in leadership and advocacy work. I led student-focused panels, groups, and conversations through primary and post-secondary involvement. Alongside community outreach. I maintained my dedication to pursue higher education, striving to be the first-generation child to complete a university degree. I had to be resilient enough to chase my aspirations and goals, but I also learned how to love again in the process. Begin loving myself in more practical and personal ways. How to feel proud of myself and my accomplishments, and to trust that life gets better when it’s hard sometimes.
I spent five of those young adult years promoting health and wellness, leading by example where I could, and inspiring others through the details of my story and the acknowledgment of my responsibility to those I share it with. I’ve supported many at-risk and BIPOC youth to see themselves as the flashlight that leads their steps. Trusting in what brings them hope, peace, safety, and allows them to be fully seen. And allowing that to encourage and empower their next decision, choice, thought, or idea—and extending to them the curiosity and continued resilience it takes to receive it in their softest version of themselves.
I cannot think of all the amazing moments, opportunities, and accomplishments that allowed me to even share spaces with some of our most vulnerable communities. But I can share the impact of my story on others.
I have dedicated myself as a neurodivergent community member to instill the hope of tomorrow in the youth of today—while empowering those who walk even before us. That there may be hope and emotionally capable leaders and followers for tomorrow. Which has led me to a decade of humanitarian work directly impacting youth and young adults in ways more profound than what their boss, teacher, or colleague may invest in regular collaborative hours. I search for the heart in every story and strive to find the champion.
I was once a child surrounded by the weight of many adult concerns and responsibilities beyond my control. I know what that is like—and to still come out achieving what was expected to be impossible. That is where my softness meets my identity. Something I learned a lot later, since I had foster care and unsuccessful adoptions take a space of time and attention.
And that is where I am today.
Doing the same work, but I have pivoted a bit. Rather than public speaking only, I have invested in music therapy through lyricism and safeguarded frequency music that I write and perform, typically enacting the same effect as a speech. Yet rather, less invasive and more collaborative. I came from believing it was a solo job to break the cycles I endured, to actively synthesizing and empathizing with those after me that have experienced similar or not, and are seeking a way through—mentally and emotionally. Because, like me, many of them had nowhere else to run, or feel safe, or feel seen, or be acknowledged properly as a youth. Carrying the weight of abandonment, neglect, and shame. Showing it in our thoughts, actions, and emotions during and long after we have evolved from the places we cannot stay in forever. I’ve been in hard times… and am still healing from it’s effects. One thing I’ve grasped, though, is that representation matters in many cases involving change. I did not have that, and it was a big request of my heart back then.
I started my story needing a voice. A voice to speak to me and even for me during those times. To speak up when cycles return or mistreatment follows.
Now, I guide, converse, and mentor others through storytelling and motivational speech, written materials, and physically getting involved in the spaces no one is looking—aka the real world in the streets and in everyday life. Connecting and mentoring those who feel compelled and contracting with institutions, classrooms, and environments that inevitably are looking for a voice to empower more voices of the youth.
Nothing I’ve ever accomplished tangibly, however, will be where my story begins or ends. Just the impact, the intent, and the purpose behind it all have a beginning and a story. I found my softness again, and I am committed to others finding theirs again. So, that is what I would like to highlight.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
yes. I realized I answered this actually already in the previous question if that is okay,
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
What sets me apart from others is my creativity. With the work that I have shared with other professionals, I have decided to meet most people where they are. A place to share a trouble, hear a trouble, and see a step or path in a better direction using creativity. I am a songwriter, musician, public speaker, and sitting advocate for those who need connection, hope, and inspiration in the present time. I attack the heart, while I let others attack the root and the leaves growing (or lack thereof). I truly believe I specialize in grace and empowerment as well as accountability and personal closure/improvement. I’m real, I’m raw, I’m professional, I’m impactful. (I am just taking on a confidence in this interview due to the written format but this truly is the appreciation given to me from others that I am trying to share about in my reflections). I am just now starting to take this path towards a competitive compensation avenue due to it’s niche and availability.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I would say that I am not a risk taker but when I reflect on my journey I suppose I’ve been taking risks for a long time. I believe that if you are unwilling to take a risk you are unwilling to know whether or not you deserve better. And that means in anything. Your job, you relationships, your mindset, your aspirations, your potential, and even your happiness. It takes only a moment of realization to know when you have done the best you can do and now must rest and receive your guidance. We hate failure in this culture but taking risks seems to get you closer to full-potential success than never knowing what could be.
Pricing:
- Classroom Group Activities (email)
- Auditorium Motivation and Empowerment (email)
- Small Group Relational Support (email)
- Faculty Training: Grounding ACE students (email)
- Summer Events (email)
Contact Info:
