Young people
About Write Speak Inspire
Turning lived experience into service.
“At Write Speak Inspire we use our words to change the world.”— Sharlene Provilus
Why this work is personal
This is the most important work we could ever do.
Long before Sharlene became an educator, speaker, author, or advocate, she was a kid navigating foster care, adoption, family separation, identity, and belonging.
She was also changed by adults who chose to see her, support her, challenge her, and invest in who she could become. Today, that experience sits at the center of Write Speak Inspire.
The mission is twofold: help young people strengthen voice, identity, confidence, leadership, and belonging—and help adults and institutions become the kind of support young people actually need.
What we value
The convictions behind the work.
Young people deserve to be seen, heard, equipped, empowered, supported, and included in shaping their futures.
Voice
Young people deserve language for their experiences and safe, authentic ways to express who they are.
Identity
Identity is complex—especially across foster care and adoption—and deserves room for exploration without judgment.
Belonging
Every young person deserves connection, community, and the confidence that they matter.
Founder + lived experience advocate
I am most powerfully positioned to serve the person I once was.
Sharlene Provilus is a TEDx speaker, author, poet, creative entrepreneur, and former foster youth whose work sits at the intersection of foster care, adoption, identity, voice, leadership, and belonging.
For nearly two decades, Sharlene has created original programs and leadership frameworks, coached leaders, built strategic partnerships, and designed transformational learning experiences across education, nonprofit, business, and community settings. She has spoken to tens of thousands of people, bringing together lived experience, leadership, strategy, storytelling, and creative practice in ways that move audiences from insight to action.
Today, Sharlene uses her voice, work, and platforms to help people think more deeply about foster care, adoption, family separation, identity, and belonging. Her work challenges individuals and organizations to examine how voice, agency, connection, and opportunity shape the lives of young people and the communities around them.
As founder of WRITE. SPEAK. INSPIRE., Sharlene develops original programs, media, educational resources, and live experiences designed to strengthen voice, identity, leadership, and belonging. Her approach blends storytelling, spoken word poetry, research-informed education, and practical insight.
Her work is grounded in a simple conviction: We use words to change the world.
Former foster youthAdopteePoetAuthorEducatorAdvocateProgram designer
years of experience
young people served through programs she led
integrated approach: art + leadership
In their words
The work stays with people.
Hover, tap, or press Enter to flip a card.
“ClientCommunity partner 01Flip ↻
Sharlene is a storyteller, a teacher, a guide, and an inspiration. The gifts that Sharlene brings to the table as a friend, employee, or speaker are immeasurable and memorable. She is truly a light!
What stood outMemorable inspiration
ClientCommunity partner
Return ↺“Shoni S.Collaborator 02Flip ↻
I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Sharlene for more than a decade. She combines creativity with professionalism effortlessly. She’s a joy to work with, and I recommend her as a speaker, mentor, and writer.
What stood outCreative professionalism
Shoni S.Collaborator
Return ↺“Program DirectorYouth program partner 03Flip ↻
One of the adults described her as a ‘beautiful spirit.’ Sharlene is friendly, warm and welcoming. Both of the youth events were excellent!
What stood outWarm, welcoming spaces
Program DirectorYouth program partner
Return ↺Voice. Identity. Belonging.
Let’s build spaces where young people know they belong—and know they can lead.
Bring Write Speak Inspire to your school, college, organization, agency, church, or community.