Meet Trisha Prabhu! She is the Founder and CEO of ReThink, a social venture building award-winning, patented technology to detect and stop cyberbullying, before the damage is done. She is also a junior at Harvard College in Cambridge, MA. You can find her @trishprabhu online.
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Congrats Trisha on becoming one of Blume’s very first Future World Shapers! Tell us about some of the current things you’re doing to shape the world for the better (big or small, don’t be shy — BRAG!)
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I’m the Founder and CEO of ReThink, an award-winning, innovative, patented app that detects and stops cyberbullying, before the damage is done. Operating as a keyboard on mobile devices, ReThink works across all apps, from Instagram to Twitter, to detect offensive messages and give users a second chance to reconsider them. Our research finds that over 93% of the time, ReThink works! Today, ReThink has reached 5.5 million students and 1500 schools internationally, been downloaded over 500K+ times, and is available in 6 languages. I’ve been honored to receive acclaim on stages that include TED, The White House, and ABC’s Shark Tank.
If we asked your BFF to describe you in 3 words, what would they say?
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I think she’d say: passionate, unafraid, and activist.
What makes you proud to be a Gen Z?
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I’m proud to be GenZ because this generation is one of the most outspoken, socially minded, and tolerant groups of people our world has seen. Our principles -- fighting for justice, tackling complex, thorny issues, and demonstrating compassion and empathy -- are, I believe, truly making the world a better place.
As a one of Blume’s Future World Shapers, what are you most excited about? What are some ideas you have for Blume’s Gen Z Advisory Council?
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I’m most excited to join Blume’s Gen Z Advisory Council! Some ideas I have include: starting a Blume-branded social campaign to destigmatize periods and puberty/making period products available to the disadvantaged, forging partnerships with sisterhood/female empowerment-related orgs. (e.g. UN Women), and creating a self-care schedule for Blume customers!
Why did you decide to apply for the Future World Shapers award? If you were nominated, who were you nominated by and what’s your relationship with them?
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I decided to apply because the Blume story/mission behind its products and work is so inspiring/meaningful to me -- it is a brand that goes beyond performative activism and asks the hard questions. I also wanted to join an empowering, impactful community!
Who has been your biggest inspiration in activism or otherwise?
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Undoubtedly, RBG (Ruth Bader Ginsburg). She pushed past barriers, upending the status quo, never stopped fighting for equality justice, and is generally awesome (#notorious).
How have you been practicing self care and keeping busy during quarantine?
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It’s been hard -- there’s definitely pressure to feel “productive” all the time, especially given that we now have so much more free time. But I’ve tried to be intentional about self care -- lots of face masks, Netflix, and sleeping in. I’ve also kept busy by picking up new hobbies, like making homemade boba, or going for runs!
How do you maintain a solid self care routine with the extra initiatives and extracurricular activities you’re involved in?
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I try to be super intentional about self care, scheduling it into my calendar the way I would a work-related meeting or extracurricular. And when it’s “self care time,” I’ll really unplug -- no emails, no phone, etc. It can be hard, at times, to take that step back, but I always try to remind myself -- I’ll be at my best when I am doing work if I give myself time to unwind/recharge.
What advice do you have for other teens (and even adults!) who are looking to make a difference in the world but don’t know where to start?
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We all have an issue, movement, or cause we’re passionate about -- whether its gender equality or the environment, find a problem you care about, and then, start somewhere. All too often, people don’t take action because they want a concrete space or moment to begin -- as the world’s activists will tell you, that’s not how it works. You don’t have to have a world-changing idea, or a game plan -- just start somewhere -- by learning about the issue, taking first steps, etc. And if you’re wondering: “Why me?”, I’m wondering: “Why not you?”
