Kindness Summit 2025: A Day of Leadership, Learning, and Taking Action!
On Saturday, April 26, 2025, the Kindness Summit took place at the Panda Restaurant Headquarters in Rosemead, California. This full-day event brought together youth, educators, changemakers, and community leaders to focus on a shared mission: leading with kindness to inspire a more connected, compassionate future.
More than 450 teens from 10 different Boys & Girls Clubs across California attended the summit, including youth from the Boys & Girls Clubs of La Habra and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County. The energy, enthusiasm, and commitment these young leaders brought to the event set the stage for a powerful day of learning and action.
A Celebrity-Filled Welcome
Pau Gasol, Tony Hawk, and more Kindness celebrities kicked off the 2025 Kindness Youth Summit!
Huge thanks to our friends Pau Gasol, Lance Bass, Tony Hawk, AJ and Big Justice, The Boys & Girls Clubs of Wakeman, and The Boys & Girls Clubs of Lake Tahoe for helping us kick off the event with a powerful video message of kindness and unity. This summit was a true celebration of youth empowerment and community, and we’re so proud of the energy and love everyone brought!
Hall of Fame Involvement and Inspiration
The summit was hosted by Lisa Foxx, well-known iHeartRadio DJ and Kindness Hall of Famer, whose enthusiasm and passion for community set a positive tone for the entire day.
The audience was warmly welcomed by Michaela Perreira, celebrated television personality and Kindness Hall of Famer, who reminded attendees of the power of small acts of kindness and the courage it takes to lead with compassion.
Terri Hines, Fox Sports executive and Trustee for Boys & Girls Clubs of America, delivered the keynote address. As a Kindness Hall of Famer herself, she spoke about how kindness influences effective leadership and urged the youth to embrace it not only as a personal value but as a public strength. Her message challenged young leaders to act with purpose and empathy in every setting—from classrooms to communities.
Educational Presentations with Real-World Impact
The summit featured two powerful presentations aimed at equipping youth with practical tools and perspectives.
Ed Peisner, founder of the Organization for Social Media Safety (OSMS), led a thought-provoking session on the challenges youth face in digital spaces. His presentation addressed key issues such as cyberbullying, hate speech, and social media addiction. More importantly, he provided actionable strategies for using technology with empathy, and shared how young people can be digital leaders who foster safety and kindness online.
Tony McWhorter, founder and CEO of Unlimited Perspectives, introduced participants to the HEART Framework, a model for kindness-centered leadership. The framework is built on five essential principles: Humility, Empathy, Appreciation, Respect, and Trust. McWhorter guided attendees through each element, demonstrating how these values provide a foundation for personal growth, strong relationships, and lasting community impact.
Outdoor Activities and Interactive Kindness Engagement
In addition to the presentations, the summit included a series of interactive and engaging outdoor activities. Teams from the WSGV, Malibu, and Oxnard chapters of Kindness is Free hosted several kindness-centered stations designed to reinforce the summit’s message through action.
An interactive games tent featured twenty different activities for students, providing an opportunity to build friendships and practice teamwork in a fun, inclusive environment. One of the most memorable moments of the day was the Kindness Fortune Cookie Challenge, where youth received specially created fortune cookies filled with uplifting messages. Five students who received “Golden Cookies” won grand prizes, making for an exciting and celebratory conclusion to the day’s outdoor activities.
Carrying the Mission Forward
At the conclusion of the summit, each youth attendee received a Kindness Kit that included resources to help students create and lead their own Kindness Projects in their schools and communities. Each kit featured a guide to the HEART Framework and ideas for kindness-based initiatives.
During the first two weeks of May, students will implement their Kindness Projects and share the outcomes. Kindness is Free will conduct a post-event impact survey to assess how the summit experience influenced participants and to collect feedback and stories from the projects being carried out.
Looking Ahead
The 2025 Kindness Summit was more than a single day of programming—it was a launchpad for a sustained movement toward empathy-driven leadership and community transformation. Through the inspiration of Hall of Famers, the guidance of expert presenters, and the energy of youth participants, the summit made it clear that kindness is not just an ideal, but a powerful tool for change.
We are grateful to the team at Panda Restaurant Group for hosting this important event and to every individual and organization who contributed to making the day a success. As we look ahead, we remain committed to supporting young changemakers as they continue to lead with heart, integrity, and kindness.
Our Sincere Gratitude to
Join the Kindness Movement
By joining the Kindness is Free movement, you become a force for positive change. From taking the Kindness Pledge to organizing events or sharing stories of compassion, there are numerous ways to participate in spreading kindness and promoting empathy. Small acts of kindness can create a significant impact on the world, and your involvement can help foster a culture of kindness, respect, and consideration, ultimately leading to a more inclusive society. Take action today and join us in making a difference through kindness!