More than 100 students, mentors, educators, community leaders, parents, and supporters gathered at the iconic Mayfair Hotel in Coconut Grove for an unforgettable evening of courage, leadership, and empowerment at the Show Up Scared: Teen Edition event hosted by The Power of Networking (TPN) Community and TPN Youth Community.
The event was created to inspire young people to move beyond fear, embrace their potential, and step into leadership with confidence. Through powerful storytelling, meaningful conversations, and mentorship, attendees were reminded that their voices matter and that their community is committed to supporting their growth and success.
The evening opened with a special musical performance by guitarist Takim Labarr, a student at Miami Dade College, whose talent set the tone for an inspiring and uplifting experience.
Attendees were welcomed by emcee Kyle Savage, whose energy and enthusiasm kept the audience engaged throughout the evening while creating an atmosphere that resonated with the next generation of leaders.
The keynote address was delivered by Alexandra Silva Labarr, international speaker, entrepreneur, founder of The Power of Networking Community, and author of Show Up Scared and Show Up Scared: Teen Edition. During her keynote, Silva Labarr shared her Feel Forward™ Method, encouraging young people to understand that fear is not a stop sign but simply information that can be transformed into courage through action.
“Confidence is the gift you receive from being courageous. Every time you show up and do something scary, you build confidence,” said Alexandra Silva Labarr.
The program featured two impactful panel discussions highlighting leadership, resilience, and personal growth.
The first panel showcased student leaders from Breakthrough Miami and was moderated by Roger Irwin and Webber Charles, who shared insights on leadership development, academic success, and empowering students to navigate the challenges of high school and beyond.
The second panel featured members of the newly launched TPN Youth Community and was moderated by Katina Hernandez. Students openly discussed how they have faced fears, overcome obstacles, and continued showing up with courage despite challenges in their personal and academic lives.
The evening also included a powerful presentation from Dr. Jasmine Escalera, founder of the Institute for Generational Healing, who shared insights on breaking cycles, healing generational patterns, and creating a stronger future for the next generation.
The event was made possible through the collaboration and support of community partners including Breakthrough Miami, YMCA, and Women of Tomorrow, all of whom share a commitment to empowering youth and creating opportunities for future leaders.
In attendance were mentors, educators, nonprofit leaders, business professionals, and community advocates who came together with a shared mission: ensuring that young people feel seen, heard, valued, and supported.
“We cannot build stronger communities without investing in our youth,” said Silva Labarr. “Our responsibility as leaders is not only to move forward, but to look back and bring the next generation with us. They need us now more than ever.”
The success of Show Up Scared: Teen Edition marks another milestone in the expansion of the TPN Youth Community, an initiative designed to provide mentorship, leadership development, networking opportunities, and personal growth experiences for young people across South Florida and beyond.
As the evening concluded, attendees left inspired, encouraged, and reminded that courage is not the absence of fear—it is the decision to move forward despite it. A special thank you to Michael Stephens, General Manager of the Mayfair House Hotel & Garden, for believing in this mission and opening the doors of this iconic venue to our youth and community. Your support, leadership, and generosity helped create an unforgettable evening of inspiration, courage, and impact. We are incredibly grateful to you and your amazing team for helping us bring this vision to life and for investing in the next generation of leaders.
For more information about TPN Community, TPN Youth Community, upcoming events, or partnership opportunities, visit connect@tpncommunity.com
