Unlocking Opportunities to Articulate the Greatness Within Us All

 
Emanuel “Boo Milton” is the creator of Spark Box and a member of Cities United Advisory Board. He is an active community organizer in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. 

In this time of many uncertainties, one thing that is certain is the need for continual growth and development of our society. The two key factors of that continual development are our youth and their education. When the pandemic first hit home here in the United States, and schools were closing, it really shifted how children received education. As the new virtual and distant learning continued, I observed many challenges within this new way of educating our youth. 

Moving into the summer, when schools close and summer camps usually embrace the opportunity to engage with kids, many camps closed last year or only provided limited services. This really touched me personally because I enjoy volunteering at camps and helping children navigate through leadership roles and social-emotional learning. With this in mind, I created a solution to make sure kids receive continual development throughout the summer, called Spark Box. 

Spark Box is an activity kit that focuses on social awareness, self-awareness, and critical thinking through social-emotional learning and creativity. These kits were designed and created with the idea that all children, no matter their economic background, are able to participate and thrive. With this in mind, all activity boxes are packed with everything a child needs, without having to rely on their own resources or purchasing new supplies such as crayons, a pencil, and other basic items to complete provided activities. So, even children who do not have access to the internet can engage and enjoy. Our activity boxes not only provide fun educational activities but also ask children to complete a “daily check-in” to express how they feel every day.


Parents/adults are given the opportunity to assess mental and emotional wellness and provide intervention, if necessary, to address possible issues. We also do not assume that all parents are equipped to address trauma, stress, and mental wellness concerns with children, so we equip each box with a parent’s guide to help their child navigate through their thoughts and emotions. This guide also includes contact information for professional services that may be able to assist.


We launched our Spark Box Summer Initiative last year providing Spark Box activity kits to families in Baton Rouge, Louisiana at absolutely no cost to parents. Support from the Mayor’s Office for the City of Baton Rouge and local businesses helped to make it happen, with currently over 2,000 kits distributed to children since June 2020. This initiative quickly caught the attention of eyes across the country through the amazing feedback from kids and parents.


I was honoured to have the opportunity to share Spark Box on an international stage at Theirworld / Global Business Coalition for Education’s ``Unlock Big Change” event for UNGA 2020. As a panellist for their conversation on “Education in Emergencies”, I was asked to explain why education is important and how education unlocks opportunity. My response was, “I believe education unlocks the opportunity to better articulate the greatness within us. We all have a light of greatness and revolutionary ideas within us. When this energy is matched with the knowledge of how to better express ourselves and challenge our current ways of thinking, it introduces new growth and opportunity to be a greater asset to ourselves and the world we are a part of.”


BY BOO MILTON • April 30, 2021

UNESCO ASPnet UK schools on the theme of peace was presented to Pope Leo XIV at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris

By Ann Beatty • September 25, 2026
A moment to be proud of and a reminder of why young people’s voices matter. Today, artwork created by students from UNESCO ASPnet UK schools on the theme of peace was presented to Pope Leo XIV at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, alongside artwork from young people in other countries. What an amazing opportunity for our students to have their creativity, ideas and hopes represented on an international stage. For me, this is what UNESCO ASPnet is about: creating opportunities for young people to connect across cultures, express themselves creatively, learn from one another and imagine a better future together. The power of young people’s creativity: their voices being part of an international conversation about education, peace, culture and our shared future. UNESCO’s programme for Pope Leo XIV’s visit specifically focused on education, artistic creation, AI, information integrity and peace. The work was part of a mural that brings together 80 original creations marking UNESCO’s 80th anniversary, produced as part of the "International Youth for Peace" competition organized by France TV and UNESCO.

Change Starts with a Will: Leave a Legacy That Helps Transform Education

September 7, 2026
Most of us want to leave the world a little better than we found it. Whether that's through the people we love, the values we pass on, or the causes we care about, we all hope our legacy will make a difference. One of the simplest ways to do that is by writing a will. This autumn, we are proud to be taking part in the Change Starts with a Will campaign, allowing our supporters to write or update their will free of charge through our trusted partner, Octopus Legacy. Why writing a will matters Writing a will isn't just about deciding who inherits your possessions. It's about making sure your wishes are respected and providing peace of mind for the people you care about. Having a will means you can: Protect the people you love. Make important decisions about your estate. Reduce uncertainty for your family. Leave a lasting gift to a cause that reflects your values. Many people put off writing a will, believing it's something to think about later in life. In reality, it's one of the most important documents you'll ever create. A legacy that supports education Steve Sinnott dedicated his life to championing education as a fundamental human right. His belief was simple but powerful: every child deserves the opportunity to learn, and every teacher deserves the support they need to inspire future generations. Today, we continue that mission by working with partners across the world to improve access to quality education, strengthen teaching and support communities where education can change lives. When you choose to leave a gift in your will to The Steve Sinnott Foundation, you're helping ensure that this work can continue for years to come. After taking care of family and friends, even a small gift could help provide learning opportunities, strengthen education systems and create brighter futures for generations to come. A gift that lasts beyond a lifetime Legacy gifts play an important role in helping charities plan for the future. Your support could help us continue investing in sustainable education projects, supporting teachers and ensuring more children have access to the education they deserve. It's a powerful way to ensure your values live on long into the future. Write your will for free As part of our Autumn 2026 campaign, we're offering supporters the opportunity to write or update their will free of charge through Octopus Legacy. There is no obligation to leave a gift to The Steve Sinnott Foundation, but we hope you'll consider remembering us after you've taken care of those closest to you. Together, we can continue Steve Sinnott's vision of a world where education changes lives. Find out more If you've been thinking about writing your will, there's never been a better time. Our free will service is available until 31 October 2026 , making it easy to protect the people you love while considering the lasting impact your legacy could have on education worldwide.  https://octopuslegacy.com/online-will?channel=partner Change starts with a will. And together, we can help create a future where education is accessible to everyone.

What happens when creativity, young people, education and community come together?

By Ann Beatty • August 25, 2026
Seeds of Hope are everywhere! “I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I arrived at Stage at the Lake…” But it was special to meet all of the Calderdale team in person, who had brought this four-day event together so successfully. Sometimes an event stays with you long after the final performance has finished. My visit to Stage at the Lake at the beautiful Shibden Hall in Calderdale was one of those occasions. As UNESCO ASPnet UK Coordinator, I was delighted to be invited as a guest, but what I experienced was much more than simply attending an event. Here, in the grounds of a house steeped in history, the past, present and future seemed to meet. The English Chamber Orchestra filled the setting with music, Northern Ballet brought movement and storytelling to life, and throughout there was a wonderful sense of creativity, community and possibility. And then there were the parklets; a unique gardening festival at Shibden Park celebrating community, creativity and the power of nature to bring people together. At its heart was a specially commissioned trail of ten micro show gardens, designed and built by community groups from across Calderdale. It was wonderful to see spaces where ideas, conversations and creativity were flourishing and connecting through Seeds of Hope. I cannot wait to see them transported to their ‘forever homes’. Standing there, I found myself thinking about what we mean when we talk about education, culture and hope.