Michael Platt believes you’re never too young to solve a big problem. In fact, he insists that kids are uniquely suited to dreaming big about how to make society better. They just need a little help from adults to make it happen. Three years ago, Michael saw a chance to connect his two passions, cupcakes and the social justice teachings of Martin Luther King, Jr. He founded Michael’s Desserts, a bakery with the mission of fighting hunger and giving back. For every baked good he sells, he donates another one to someone in need at a domestic violence shelter, transitional housing center, or place of food insecurity. Each month, he creates a new “freedom fighter cupcake” inspired by leaders like Maya Angelou, Nelson Mandela, and Harriet Tubman; he hopes the cupcakes spread awareness of the past and inspire others to work for social justice. Michael’s TEDxJacksonville idea is to help kids between the ages of 10 and 18 find a problem they hate and want to solve, and then use their interests to start a business that helps fix it.
