Our Power, Our Planet
Compassion for our Beautiful Earth
MIRACLE MOMENT®
“The Earth does not belong to us. We belong to the Earth.” Chief Seattle
A MESSAGE from Founder/Director, CYNTHIA BRIAN
I grew up on a farm where being sustainable was a way of life. We were dry farmers, which meant that the fields were irrigated solely by the rainfall. Water was a precious commodity, and after many years, my dad and brothers built a reservoir to collect the precipitation. We recycled, reused, repurposed, remade. We saved seeds to plant the heirlooms later. From my parents, I learned from an early age that this Earth is our only home. The survival of our planet is the survival of human life. The air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we grow all depend on a healthy ecosystem. When we damage nature, we disrupt the balance that sustains us.
Human-driven climate change is leading to extreme weather, rising sea levels, increased disease transmission, widespread food and water scarcity, and a shifting growing season. My own garden continues to foretell that times are changing…and not for the better. Biodiversity matters as life is interconnected. Pollination is essential to food production. Losing species weakens the natural order.
We must stand up for the environment with compassion. We must choose people over profits and health over harm. We need to work together to build a better future for ourselves, our children, and the world at large. We want our grandchildren to inherit an Earth with clean air, drinkable water, and a safe environment.
We are responsible for protecting the planet. I lead with hope and will continue to focus on how we can be proactive in driving change. Humanity is our greatest tool. Let us act as sensitive stewards of this beautiful Earth.
We have the power!
Cynthia Brian
Founder/Executive Director
Be the Star You Are!®
PO Box 376
Moraga, California 94556
https://www.BetheStarYouAre.org
https://greatnonprofits.org/org/be-the-star-you-are-inc
DONATE: https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504
DONATE: https://givebutter.com/BTSYA
“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” Jane Goodall
CELEBRATE EARTH DAY with BE THE STAR YOU ARE!®
On Saturday, April 25th, from 10 am to 1 pm, BE THE STAR YOU ARE!® partners with 5 A Rent-A-Space and others to commemorate EARTH DAY. Come create a take-home herb garden, grab a bag of fragrant potpourri, choose a tomato plant, and more. Enjoy snacks and conversation in this FREE celebration of our beautiful Earth. Books will be available for purchase. Location is 5 A, 455 Moraga Rd. #F, Moraga. https://www.bethestaryouare.org/events-1/earth-day-at-5a-on-april-25-2026
SIMPLE WAYS TO BE KIND TO OUR PLANET
by Karen Kitchel
Every act of kindness, no matter how small, makes a difference. By taking care of our planet, you’re creating a healthier and more beautiful world for your community and a brighter future for those who come after us.
Here are five small but meaningful acts of kindness for you to consider:
Conserve Energy — Flip off lights, unplug electronics, and shut down computers when they’re not in use.
Save Water — Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth or scrubbing dishes.
Plan & Freeze Leftovers — Prevent food from going to waste. It also helps your wallet.
Host a Seed Swap — Share seeds with friends, neighbors, or local groups. It’s a fun way to diversify gardens and rely less on store‑bought plants.
Volunteer at a Community Garden — Lend a hand with planting, weeding, or general upkeep. Many gardens depend on volunteers to thrive.
Karen Kitchel is the Kindness Coordinator volunteer with BTSYA. She purchased the book No Barnyard Bullies as a gift for every kindergarten student at the school where she volunteers as a teacher. www.scatteringkindness.com You can read more about Karen’s adoption story in the book Be the Star You Are! Millennials To Boomers. https://www.bethestaryouare.org/book-gift
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.” Margaret Mead
OUR EARTH, OUR RESPONSIBILITY
by Gowri Kamatchi
The earth is our only home. It gives us everything we need to live: clean air, fresh water, healthy food and beautiful nature. But today, our home is experiencing problems like pollution, climate change and loss of wildlife–many on the brink if not already extinct.
Each of us has a role in protecting the earth. No matter how small or big, young or old. Small actions can make a big difference. We can save energy, reduce waste, recycle, and use less plastic. And along with that, we can plant trees, grow local flora by getting seeds from the library and not littering!
Is it also important to spread awareness and encourage friends and family to care about our planet. When people work together, anything is possible.
This earth is our responsibility. If we care for it today, it will care for us tomorrow.
Gowri Kamatchi is a 16-year-old high school junior who is a content creator volunteer with Be the Star You Are!® She has a deep interest in global issues, journalism, climate policies, and paleontology. Her hobbies are reading, listening to music, and rollerblading!
“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” Albert Einstein
Go Tell the World-Finding Your Purpose
Cynthia Brian joins Ellen Mongan on the program, Go Tell the World, to discuss finding your passion and purpose in life. Be uplifted. Click above to watch!
BE THE STAR YOU ARE! HONORED AS A 2026 TOP NONPROFIT and PLATINUM AT CANDID
Congratulations to everyone at Be the Star You Are!® for being once again named a TOP NONPROFIT by Great Nonprofits and Candid (Formerly Guidestar). Be the Star You Are!® is 100% volunteer operated.
GREAT NON PROFITS REVIEWS: https://greatnonprofits.org/org/be-the-star-you-are-inc
CANDID: https://app.candid.org/profile/8421881/be-the-star-you-are-inc-94-3333882
VOLUNTEERS SPEAK
Read what volunteers say about their involvement with BTSYA:
Julia Howe
Being a host and radio reporter on Express Yourself! Teen Radio has been one of the most meaningful parts of my high school experience. Through Be the Star You Are!, I have created and led segments on teen mental health, women in STEM, and youth leadership. I have interviewed entrepreneurs, researchers, and community leaders, and collaborated with other teen reporters to produce episodes that reach listeners in over 200 countries. What makes BTSYA special is that teens are trusted with real responsibility. We research our topics, prepare questions, host live broadcasts, and learn how to think on our feet. It is not scripted or overly edited. That authenticity has helped me grow from someone who was nervous to speak on air into someone who feels confident leading conversations. The skills I have built through this program have carried into my other work as a nonprofit founder, singer, and student. Most importantly, BTSYA has helped me believe that my voice deserves to be heard.
Saanvi Phaneendra
Be the Star You Are! has given me an extraordinary platform to share my passion for space exploration and AI with a global audience. Through hosting radio segments on Express Yourself! Teen Radio, I’ve had the incredible privilege of interviewing experts and expressing my perspectives on topics I deeply care about. With episodes available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, reaching listeners across hundreds of countries, my personal credibility in this field has grown tremendously. I’m especially grateful to Cynthia for helping publicize my rocket exhibit at the Moraga Library. Attendees at the Pear and Wine Festival even recognized my work! This support has also fueled the rapid expansion of my own initiative, GalacticGet.org, which is growing quickly throughout the Bay Area. Thank you, Be the Star You Are!, for championing young voices and for helping me in my quest to seed curiosity in young children about the wonders of space exploration. Your mission truly changes lives.
Listen to a fantastic radio program about AI on the Moon and Mars hosted by both Julia and Saanvi: https://sites.libsyn.com/560220/ai-on-the-moon-and-mars
Jatin Bains
Being a part of Be the Star You Are!® has been so great. It has helped me gain more confidence and I really enjoy the different topics we talk about. Ms. Cynthia is so nice to work with, and she is a great mentor.
Milan Bains
I have been a part of Be the Star You Are!® since I was 11 years old. I have learned so much about myself and the world around me. I look forward to the work I will continue to do with this wonderful organization throughout my high school career and beyond. I would urge any teens that are looking for a way to donate their time to a good cause to join!
Jatin and Milan are brothers on Express Yourself!® Listen to their episode on How Curiosity Leads to Success: https://sites.libsyn.com/560220/how-curiosity-leads-to-success
“We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.” Native American Proverb
OUR RADIO BROADCASTS INSPIRE AND COMMUNICATE
Every week, under the auspices of Be the Star You Are!® charity and produced by StarStyle® Productions, LLC, listeners are encouraged and inspired on our two international radio broadcasts, StarStyle®-Be the Star You Are!® and Express Yourself!™ Teen Radio. StarStyle® is a lifestyle program bringing information and innovative ideas that will help with daily living, while Express Yourself!™ is hosted by teens, for teens, with discussions about everything and anything that interests youth today. Both programs are unedited, uncensored, and unapologetically authentic.
Listen to all Express Yourself!™ Teen shows at https://sites.libsyn.com/560220
Listen to StarStyle®-Be the STAR You Are!® shows: https://sites.libsyn.com/556617
“We do not need magic to transform our world. We carry all the power we need inside ourselves already.” ~ J.K. Rowling
Buy books and clothing as a donation to Be the Star You Are!®
BOOKS AND MERCH
Books: A great way to support Be the Star You Are!® and give a gift that continues to give is to buy books as a donation through our portal. Check out our Book Package: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/book-gift
Merch: Find well-made clothing and hats with the Be the Star You Are!® logo at https://www.bonfire.com/store/be-the-star-you-are-merch/. Numerous colors and styles are appropriate for all ages. A percentage of the proceeds benefits Be the Star You Are!®.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to live on this beautiful and astonishing Planet Earth. In the morning, I woke up with a sense of gratitude.” –Earl Nightingale
ABOUT BE THE STAR YOU ARE!®
Be the Star You Are!® is an all-volunteer organization that operates through contributions, in-kind donations, and proceeds from fundraising events. Be the Star You Are!® does not receive state or federal funding and is solely dependent on contributions from the community and corporations. Be the Star You Are!® is consistently honored as a TOP NON-PROFIT by Guidestar and Great Non-Profits.
Be the Star You Are!® supports all ethnicities and has no religious or political agendas or affiliations. Be the Star You Are!® is proud to have been serving the community, country, and world since 1999.
DONATE: https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504
DONATE: https://givebutter.com/BTSYA
“Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.”
~ Dale Carnegie
I might just do that...mind you I have no contacts there. But masthead with editors must exist somewhere.
I try to comment often because I can tell how much work you put into these pieces. You should at least know they are being read (and appreciated).
Probably a (much easier or chintz-ier) version of my Great Aunt Lorna who wrote regular thank you and cheer-up notes on lavendar scented stationary with matching watercolor flowers on the edges.
*times