About & Mission
The program is designed to inspire, educate, and empower youth by connecting them with champions from across industries and communities.
The program allows young people to “chat” with professionals, mentors, and real-life heroes—from eight major industries and vital community roles such as veterans, military personnel, law enforcement, educators, athletes, and entrepreneurs—who have overcome challenges and achieved success through perseverance, teamwork, and purpose.
Through virtual sessions, in-person talks, and hands-on activities, Chat with a Champ provides students the opportunity to learn directly from those who have made it—people who believe in giving back, sharing their stories, and guiding the next generation toward achievement and self-belief.
- Mission – To ensure every young person—no matter where they live—has access to role models who inspire ambition, build confidence, and provide real-world insight. Chat with a Champ bridges the gap between classrooms and the world of work, bringing opportunities to every community through in-person talks, live broadcasts, and mobile access.
The Challenge
Across rural and urban communities alike, countless talented young people grow up unaware of the full spectrum of career possibilities available to them
not because they lack skill or ambition, but because they lack exposure, networks, and guidance. Many have no family members in professional roles, no industry mentors to help them navigate next steps, and no clear map of what their future could be. Without connection, talent goes unseen and potential remains unrealized.
National research shows that one in three students reports having no adult outside their family who can help them explore careers or plan for the future. Additionally, students from low-income communities are far less likely to receive early career exposure, making them more likely to limit their aspirations before high school.
This is not a gap of talent. It is a gap of access, visibility, and opportunity.
The Solution: Bringing Opportunity to Them
Chat with a Champ bridges this divide by connecting schools with real professionals who share their experiences, stories, and advice through in-person and virtual sessions.
The program ensures that every child, no matter their ZIP code or household circumstance, can meet someone who helps them see what’s possible. Using both in-school visits and virtual platforms like Zoom, the program makes learning and mentorship accessible to students who might otherwise never meet someone in their dream industry. Champions come from sports, trades, business, hospitality, technology, and the arts — representing diverse paths that inspire and educate.
of students report believing they can achieve any career goal they set.
of students consider a career in the same sector as their speaker.
discover an industry or profession they hadn’t known before.
of educators report improved motivation and classroom participation.
Why give inspirational talks?
When a young person hears from a real professional — a person who looks like them, talks like them, and has walked a path they never thought possible — it can completely change their outlook. Many students in rural or underserved areas grow up without seeing anyone in their household or community working in fields like sports management, technology, design, or entrepreneurship .When you share your journey, you’re not just giving a talk — you’re showing them a new world. “Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. Your story can be the bridge.”
Athletes hold a unique place of influence — your voice carries the spirit of discipline, teamwork, and resilience that students deeply admire. When you share what it takes to reach your goals, you teach young people about perseverance, mindset, and leadership — lessons that apply far beyond sports.
But you also help them see that: (1) Sports is an industry, not just a game, (2) Every team relies on a village of professionals — coaches, trainers, marketers, analysts, broadcasters, and innovators, and (3), Not everyone will be on the field, but everyone can be part of the team.
Your presence reminds students that success has many roles and that their skills can find purpose in any lane — on or off the field.
You’re not just an employee or executive — you’re a role model.
By volunteering an hour of your time, you’re investing in the next generation of innovators, builders, and thinkers who will shape your industry’s future.
Why it matters (1) Inspiration builds aspiration — students can’t dream what they can’t see, (2) Exposure creates equity — career access starts with awareness, and (3) Representation transforms mindsets — when students meet someone from their background succeeding in your field, they believe they can too.
Your talk might inspire a student to study engineering, culinary arts, hospitality, or digital media — or even apply for your company’s internship in the future.
One talk doesn’t end in the classroom — it starts a ripple. Students who hear your story will share it with friends, teachers, and family. They’ll remember it when they choose a course, apply for college, or take their first job. You become part of a movement — a network of Champions — working together to change how young people see education, opportunity, and themselves.
Every speaker leaves a mark. Every story builds belief. Every talk plants a seed for the future. By joining Chat with a Champ, you’re not just speaking — you’re shaping the next generation of leaders, dreamers, and doers.
3 Talk Programs Associated with Chat with a Champ
1. Hero Talks
Celebrating Courage. Inspiring Character.
Hero Talks feature individuals who have demonstrated exceptional courage, service, and resilience—ranging from veterans and first responders to athletes and community leaders. These sessions focus on character education, emphasizing honor, service, and the strength found in overcoming adversity.
Focus Areas:
- Character building and resilience
- Leadership through service
- Community and civic pride
- Overcoming personal and social barriers
2. Round Table
Leadership in Conversation. Collaboration in Action.
Leadership in Conversation. Collaboration in Action.
The Round Table initiative brings together students, educators, and industry professionals in interactive dialogue sessions that explore leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving through a sports and career lens. These sessions model respect and open communication, providing students the chance to discuss real-world challenges and co-create ideas for improving their schools and communities.
Focus Areas:
- Leadership development and civic engagement
- Career pathway exploration through discussion
- Peer mentorship and teamwork
- Student voice and empowerment
3. Give an Hour
One Hour. Lasting Impact.
Give an Hour invites professionals and champions to volunteer just one hour of their time to inspire the next generation. This initiative creates a scalable, sustainable mentorship network where industry leaders, community heroes, and skilled professionals give a brief but powerful glimpse into their world—sparking curiosity, motivation, and hope in young learners. Hero Talks feature individuals who have demonstrated exceptional courage, service, and resilience—ranging from veterans and first responders to athletes and community leaders. These sessions focus on character education, emphasizing honor, service, and the strength found in overcoming adversity.
Focus Areas:
- Micro-mentorship and exposure
- Career discovery and storytelling
- Relationship-building and opportunity creation
- Corporate and community volunteer engagement
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools, community partners, employers, and young people can access our programs—including Chat with a Champion—by registering through our digital portal. The process is simple, guided, and supported by our team from start to finish.
All programs are fully funded and completely free to participants, made possible through the generosity of our partners, industry leaders, and supporters.
Yes. Chat with a Champ is built on sustained, meaningful mentorship, not one-off talks. Through our Round Table Initiative, students receive ongoing guidance and support from trusted professionals.
Student safety is our highest priority:
- All mentoring is coordinated directly through participating schools and youth organizations.
- Parental or guardian consent is required for any ongoing mentoring.
- Every Champion undergoes full background checks, and our safety protocols ensure all mentoring is structured, supervised, and compliant.
Chat with a Champ connects students to real mentors who stay involved—helping them grow, plan, and build their futures responsibly.
Founded under the nonprofit Thirt13n, Chat with a Champ is part of a broader mission to break cycles of poverty by building career pathways in sports and allied industries. We focus on:
- Inspiration: bringing professionals, athletes, and veterans into schools
- Skill-building: workshops, projects, and wraparound supports (The Jordan Way and Christian’s Heart)
- Opportunities: internships, scholarships, apprenticeships, and recognition awards
Together, these create a pipeline for students from elementary school through postsecondary education and into the workforce.
Get Involved
For Students
Discover. Dream. Do.
Chat with a Champ gives students access to real stories from professionals who have walked the path before them — athletes, innovators, creators, builders, and entrepreneurs.
They share how they started, the challenges they faced, and the lessons they learned — helping students see how passions can become careers.
Through the program, students can:
- Attend in-school or virtual career inspiration talks.
- Ask questions directly to professionals about their journeys.
- Explore industries they never knew existed.
- Begin building their own Career Passport, recording talks, interests, and next steps.
- Connect to Thirt13n’s network for internships, apprenticeships, and scholarships.
For Schools
Bring the world of work into your classrooms.
Thirt13n’s Chat with a Champ helps educators deliver meaningful career education that meets the needs of every student — no matter where they live.
We provide:
- A structured 6-week delivery cycle that blends inspiration with skill-building.
- Pre- and post-session materials for teachers and students.
- Access to our network of Champions and industry volunteers.
- Alignment with Virginia’s SOL and career readiness frameworks.
- Safeguarding and quality standards for all guest talks.
Schools can host sessions through:
- In-person classroom or assembly visits.
- Virtual Zoom sessions for rural or multi-campus access.
- Round Table Career Conversations for small-group engagement.
For Champions
Share your story. Shape the future.
You don’t need to be a teacher to change a life — you just need to share your journey. Chat with a Champ gives professionals and organizations a powerful way to give back and build their future workforce.
As a Champion, you can:
- Deliver one-hour career talks or mentorship sessions (in-person or via Zoom).
- Inspire students by sharing your professional journey.
- Highlight career pathways that students may have never considered.
- Offer apprenticeship, internship, or shadowing opportunities through Thirt13n’s network.
- Join an expanding industry ecosystem that connects business, education, and community impact.
Commitment:
- One talk per semester (or more, if desired).
- Optional mentoring follow-up for interested students.
- Support provided through Thirt13n’s speaker guide, training, and safeguarding orientation.