Children’s book inspires self-discovery and cultural empowerment

My Safe Place

When Brittney Brackett’s nonprofit The Outstanding Youth Awards Initiative was awarded a project grant to publish a children’s book on behalf of the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, she was determined to make it count. With anxiety in children at an all-time high and on the rise, Brackett felt compelled to provide children and tweens with the support they need to succeed. “My passion is to help younger generations flourish personally, academically and emotionally,” Brackett said.

In “My Safe Place,” Brackett offers young people the gift of empowerment and courage. Intended to be a journey of self-discovery, the book is filled with positive affirmations, engaging activities, and mindfulness exercises. Hoping to ignite positivity and creative thinking, Brackett takes readers on a fantastical ride of personal growth and inclusivity. “I want to stimulate young minds and encourage them to find a safe place within themselves to express their creativity and passions,” Brackett said.

“My Safe Place” is available for purchase online at BarnesandNoble.com and Amazon.com. For more information about The Outstanding Youth Awards Initiative, please visit them at outstandingyouthawards.com or on Facebook @OutstandingYouthAwards.

Brittney Brackett, Photo Credit Ira Carmichael Photography

Brittney Brackett is a writer, accomplished actor, professional voice talent, and nonprofit champion with more than seventeen years’ experience helping children and teens. Brackett serves as the founder and Executive Director of The Outstanding Youth Awards Initiative (OYA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has awarded more than $4,125 in scholarships and internships. With a desire to enhance opportunities for youth, Brittney has declared that all proceeds of “My Safe Place” will directly benefit OYA with ongoing programming needs to aid in the expansion of their impact locally and abroad. Since 2015, the group has organized service projects, hosted financial literacy and empowerment workshops, and held annual award ceremonies for children highlighting their civic and educational endeavors. In 2022, OYA was awarded a project grant from Senator Karl B. Allen and the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to publish this educational book, produce and stream a teen podcast called The Joco Show, and design Kindred Kids Clothing, a children’s affirmation clothing line. Brittney holds a bachelor’s degree in Health Marketing and Communication from Ashford University, along with numerous counseling certifications and professional affiliations.

Brackett is also the owner and operations manager of b dynamic! Productions, with over fifteen years in the entertainment business, courtesy of agency representation in three states. Her past clients include Deloitte, Tyler Perry Studios, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino, McAlister’s Tea, The Alzheimer’s Association, ADP, The American Cancer Society, The Global Leadership Summit, Denny’s, The North Carolina Education Lottery, among others. She has been featured in Greenville Business Magazine, Voyage ATL, Upstate Business Journal, In South Magazine, The Community Informer, The Greenville News and SHEEN Magazine.

A South Carolina native, Brooks Brackett was raised to appreciate the simpler things in life, to seek new perspectives, and to harvest creativity from all angles. An avid cartoon watcher, he evolved from a talented self-taught illustrator to a trained professional designer. After earning a BA in graphic design from The Art Institute of Charlotte, Brooks took his refined talents back to Greenville, SC where he continued to hone his skills for over a decade with Redhype Marketing and Brains on Fire. Over the years, he has had the opportunity to help with branding for local startups, nonprofits and small businesses while also working with high profile clients across various industries, including the Carolina Panthers, actor and Academy Award Winning director Jordan Peele, and Hello Bello to name a few. With a curious and ever-changing workflow, he routinely feeds his craving for knowledge to make better products and tell better stories through the medium of illustration and design.