ATLANTA — What would you do if you were awarded $10,000? How about giving half of it away? That’s what Aaliyah Thompson did in this season of giving.
Thompson is a 2023 McDonald's Change Leader, and she was awarded $10,000 at Afro Tech for her commitment to making a change and starting something good in her community.
Thompson grew up with her mom and said the stigma of living with autism followed her through her childhood. She overcame that stigma, opening up the Aaliyah Alicia Thompson School of Nails & Aaliyah Beauty Bar, and she’s just 22 years old.
Born and raised in Atlanta, the Dutch Town high school graduate often spent time with her mom, a talented hairdresser, and that time sparked a passion for the beauty industry in Thompson. Now, she’s made it her mission to give back.
Thomson donated $500 to 10 single parents with children on the spectrum just in time for the holiday season. It’s a move she hopes will help those parents overcome the struggle she said she witnessed as a child.
“My mom was a single parent, and there was a struggle. She worked so hard”, said Thompson. “ I’ve seen a lot of people struggle nowadays because it’s a lot of work to build yourself up.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 36 children in the United States have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Aaliyah said she is focused on growing her success and has a message for other young people with autism.
“Follow your passions. You are smart," said Thompson, "It doesn’t matter what people think."