Name
Nicholas Gunn
Company/Organization
Benton Spirit Newspaper, St. Joseph Charter Township Station #2, Moody On The Market, Benton Harbor Team Solutions, Nickeats.org and The Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Michigan.
What Does Your Company/Organization Do?
The Benton Spirit Newspaper is a news/ media outlet that covers the Michiana area. I am a writer/photographer for them with a focus on community.
St. Joseph Charter Township Station #2 is a local fire department in St. Joseph Charter Township, where our focus is to keep our community safe. I currently serve as a volunteer cadet firefighter.
Moody On The Market is also a local news/media outlet where I am a contributor.
Benton Harbor Team Solutions is a task force that was appointed by Governor Whitmer and Mayor Marcus Muhammad to help inform City of Benton Harbor Residents on lead in the water. I serve as the Community & Media Engagement Ambassador.
Nickeats.org is a YouTube Channel and website I created to highlight and promote local businesses throughout Michiana to help bring people together and inform young people in our community on local issues.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Michigan is a youth mentoring development program for youth. I work as a Youth Development Professional to help build integrity and character in young people in our community of southwest Michigan.
Age
18
Accomplishments
- Blossomtime’s Mr. Benton Harbor
- Andrews University Scholarship Recipient
- Key to the City of Benton Harbor Recipient
- I’ve also been nominated as an Outstanding Michigan Student with a letter from Gov. Whitmer.
What else do you hope to accomplish by the age of 40?
By the age of 40 I hope to become a role model for people young and old who have a passion to help others and bring people together no matter how different we may be.
Education
Berrien Springs High school Graduate of 2022 and current Andrews University Freshman pursuing Political Science/Social Studies with a minor in Communications and Secondary Education.
Residence
Benton Harbor, MI
Where were you born?
Benton Harbor, MI
What was your first job?
My first job was at Pizza Hut when I turned 16, where I would wash dishes. I still occasionally come back if our team is understaffed and needs an extra hand.
Best advice you ever got?
The Best advice I ever received was from my Mr. Benton Harbor Chairman, Mr. Reinaldo Tripplett. “To whom much is given, much is required.”
Who inspires you most?
My friends and family inspire me, but I’ll say 1st John 4:11 also inspires me to always love others and be respectful no matter how I may feel. It reads “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
That one thing about you we’d be most surprised to learn.
In high school I was able to lead and create an after-school bible study with over 120 students. Where we would meet every day after school and then sometimes go and volunteer in our communities.
What do you love to do in your downtime?
In my downtime I love to go on bike rides, walks, and trying new foods from different cultures with my diverse group of friends.
What book are you reading now?
I’m currently reading two books. One is The Great Controversy and the second is Education, Ellen G. White is the author of both books.
Volunteer activity you love the most.
I love doing outreach ministry with my friends. Praying, ministering, and showing love to others who may have never met me is one of my favorite volunteering activities. Currently one of my favorite things to do is volunteer at local youth ministries and hold bible studies with young kids because I believe God is calling us all to have our own personal relationship with him, no matter how old we may be. I also love coming up with ideas to help people in my community, as a committee member for Spectrum Health Lakeland’s Community Health & Wellness Advocates, board member for the Benton Harbor Arts Association and Co Chairman for the Fresh Start Children’s Garden.
What motivates you to give back to your community?
Because I always want to treat others the way I want to be treated.
What Superpower would you most love to have? (for example, the ability to fly or to be invisible, or incredible strength, etc)
A Superpower I would love to have is the power to speak and understand every language. I love meeting new people from different parts of the world so if I had this power I would be able to connect with them on a larger and more personal level.
What would you like to leave behind as your legacy once you are gone?
I would want people to know that I always had a huge heart for people. I will forever have a special place in my heart to try and make others smile.
What does the honor of being named to the 40 Under 40 most mean to you?
It means a lot to me. To be nominated to be a part of so many special people who love their community is something I’ll never forget.
