Justyn Boumah, is expanding his literacy mission in Las Vegas with a new library project at the Historic Westside School. The young philanthropist has been active in the community since founding his nonprofit, Heroes & Hearts, at the age of six, making him Nevada’s youngest nonprofit founder.
The latest library initiative represents another milestone in Boumah's remarkable journey of community service. According to Senator Jacky Rosen, who met with the young founder in 2021, "At such a young age, Justyn is doing incredible work to support communities that often get overlooked."
A Prodigy with Purpose
Boumah's impressive credentials began early in life. As reported by Las Vegas Review-Journal, at age five, when most children are just learning to read, Justyn had already written his 12th book. He's the author of children's books and a cookbook, while serving as the creative force behind his charitable initiatives.
Known on social media as The Traveling Toddler, KTNV reports that one of Boumah's primary goals is ensuring every country around the world has a library for kids to access books and learning. His organization operates four major annual initiatives: the Around the World Read-A-Thon, The Blessing Project, Super Justyn's Giveaway, and Learning is Fun Libraries.
Historic Setting for Modern Mission
The Historic Westside School location holds special significance for Las Vegas's community development. As noted by National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Historic Westside School is the oldest remaining school in Las Vegas, located in a 3.5-square-mile area northwest of the Las Vegas Strip that historically served as an African-American neighborhood.
The school campus already houses educational infrastructure, including the Strong Future Technology Training Center. As detailed by Vegas Inc, this includes the Cox Innovation Lab, established through a $25,000 donation from Cox to the Mayor's Fund for Las Vegas Life, creating a natural fit for Boumah's library project.
Community Recognition and Impact
Boumah's efforts have gained significant community support and recognition. In a partnership with Meadows Mall and Commissioner McCurdy, KESQ reported that he recently hosted his second annual Kidpreneur Marketplace, where 12 "kidpreneurs" participated in celebrating "anti-boredom month" by launching their own businesses.
"Justyn and Heroes & Heart received several donations from the community. The support is overwhelming as we support libraries and literacy throughout the Las Vegas valley," his mother, Racquel Boumah, told KESQ. The young philanthropist has been awarded over 20 recognitions, contests and grants for his creative annual service projects, with his impact extending internationally through building the organization's first international library in Poland for Ukrainian refugees.
Empathy-Driven Leadership
Boumah's approach to community service stems from genuine empathy for overlooked workers. "When I don't see the community workers on the news, it made my heart sad," he explained to KTNV about his initiative to give thank-you bags to essential workers. During Thanksgiving week, he decided to pack gift bags for bus drivers with snacks like Goldfish and M&Ms.
His fundraising efforts have consistently supported diverse local causes. Past campaigns have raised $2,500 to benefit Project 150, an organization supporting Nevada students experiencing homelessness; Books and Ballet, an initiative by a local teenager focused on reading and dance; and the family's home church in Gabon.
Building Educational Legacy
The collaboration between Boumah's Heroes & Hearts and the Historic Westside School represents a meaningful intersection of past and future educational initiatives. As Las Vegas continues developing its educational infrastructure, including plans for new library facilities in the area, grassroots projects like Boumah's demonstrate how community-driven initiatives can complement larger municipal investments.
Heroes & Hearts' mission "to educate, encourage, and empower marginalized communities globally through literacy, leadership, and legacy" aligns perfectly with the Historic Westside's educational heritage. The young founder's hands-on approach to creating learning opportunities continues inspiring both emerging entrepreneurs and established community leaders across Las Vegas.
