Selwyn Bernandez and Liandra Tonge

[00:00] SELWYN BERNARDES: All right. Hello, everyone. My name is Selwyn Bernardes, and I am 24 years old. Today's date will be October 4, 2019, and the current location is Brooklyn, New York. And today I have my mentor, Leandra.

[00:18] LEANDRA TUNG: Hi, my name is Leandra tung. I am 27 years old. Today's date is October 4, 2019. We are in Brooklyn, New York, and I am seven, and he is my mentee.

[00:32] SELWYN BERNARDES: All right, Leandra, I have a question for you. And my first question would be, how has your life been different than what you imagine?

[00:47] LEANDRA TUNG: Well, I don't think I actually imagined my life this far. Growing up, I never really had a plan. I just went with the flow, went with the wind, so to speak. I always knew I wanted to be a social worker, but I had no idea how far that would take me. So I pretty much say different than what I expected.

[01:08] SELWYN BERNARDES: Oh, wow. Different.

[01:10] LEANDRA TUNG: Okay.

[01:12] SELWYN BERNARDES: Different is good. There's nothing wrong with being different.

[01:14] LEANDRA TUNG: No. Happy. Happy. Because I get to work with people like you, right. And help you out and then get you to find out what's going on with your life and how you want to plan that out. That's it. You want to continue questions or are you ready for me to ask you a question?

[01:36] SELWYN BERNARDES: I'm ready for you to ask me a question because my phone just went off and I forgot to put it on silent and. Yeah, ask me a question.

[01:43] LEANDRA TUNG: Okay. So for my first question, who has had the best, biggest influence on your life?

[01:50] SELWYN BERNARDES: Oh, wow. That's a.

[01:52] LEANDRA TUNG: It's a two part question, but I'm gonna hit you with the first part first.

[01:55] SELWYN BERNARDES: You're gonna hit me with the first part?

[01:56] LEANDRA TUNG: Yes. So who has been the biggest influence in your life?

[02:00] SELWYN BERNARDES: Wow. Like when, like when I think about that, a whole bunch of women come into my head because it's like I can't really put my hand on one person because I feel like took a community of people to actually get me to where I am today. And one person I could truly say that has never given up on me. And I'm not trying to flatter you, Leandra, but that would be you.

[02:26] LEANDRA TUNG: Oh, thank you.

[02:26] SELWYN BERNARDES: Cause you always been there. Not just you, my former foster mother, Ms. Norma, my former social worker, Ms. Dunn. It's just like a. Like, I don't know, I feel like I've been blessed with women in my life that really want the best of me, you know? And those three women, Leandra Marie Dunn and Ms. Norma Norma Lopez, are like women in my life that definitely wanted the best of me. And of course, My beautiful wife, Anika Mead.

[02:59] LEANDRA TUNG: Okay, so out of all those women who has taught you or collectively, what has been the biggest or best lesson you've learned?

[03:09] SELWYN BERNARDES: I would say Ms. Norma, because she would, like, wake me up in the mornings and make sure that I went to school. And like, she would tell me a lot of things about life and she was a very wise woman and she came with a lot of tough love, you know, which is why I really respect her to this day. Because, you know, to be raised by a woman like that, you gotta be tough, you know, and not. And every kid that comes through the house really doesn't make it out, you know, like, because they're too. They're not mentally prepared for a woman like that, you know, that really wants the best for you and nothing but the best for you. So, like, I truly, truly, like, you know, appreciate that woman, you know?

[03:53] LEANDRA TUNG: Definitely. And I agree, because when I was a case planner, Ms. Norman was one of my foster parents. And something I did admire about her was the fact that she got you guys up at 7am to prepare you guys for basically adulthood. Because now I'm assuming you use it, cuz now you go to school, right?

[04:10] SELWYN BERNARDES: Yeah.

[04:11] LEANDRA TUNG: So you would say that basically or no, indefinitely, the things Ms. Norma has taught you has helped you as an adult.

[04:19] SELWYN BERNARDES: Definitely. Right to this day, yes.

[04:22] LEANDRA TUNG: Okay. I like that. Yeah.

[04:24] SELWYN BERNARDES: Ms. Norma, man, if you. If you're ready for Ms. Norma, man. Got some recommendations for y'all kids, man.

[04:31] LEANDRA TUNG: Yes. And I do think she's one of the best foster parents that I've come across because really do care.

[04:37] SELWYN BERNARDES: She does. Like, she does. Like, she was like the first woman to like, clean my clothes, make my bed, come home to like a nice meal. Like. Like, this is something I would want to do for my kids in the future, you know, like, if I'm blessed to have kids, you know, or choose to adopt, like, you know, that's how I would want my structure and my home to be. Like, you know, discipline. You know, you wake up, you go to school, you got breakfast cooked there for you. Like it's there for you because, you know, you're a parent, you're supposed to provide, you know, for your kids. And, you know, Ms. Norma would buy stuff on our birthday, Christmas, holidays, any. Like, she would show us that she really cared. Like, she didn't make us feel like we were not a part of the family. Like, she made us feel a part of the family too. And that's another thing that I'm very grateful that I did had being in foster care, you know, that I wasn't left out from any of the family events. Like, I was a part of it. Like, you know, so that was a very great experience.

[05:36] LEANDRA TUNG: Right. And initially, that's what foster care is.

[05:39] SELWYN BERNARDES: Yeah. But not all foster homes is like that.

[05:41] LEANDRA TUNG: Definitely. Right.

[05:42] SELWYN BERNARDES: Definitely. That's a fact. Cause I've been around a couple of blocks, if you ask me. But, you know, I'm just really glad and blessed to be a part of her foster home, you know? So. Yeah. Okay, so I'm gonna ask you a question, Leandra.

[05:58] LEANDRA TUNG: Okay.

[06:01] SELWYN BERNARDES: Why did you choose to become a mentor slash coach?

[06:07] LEANDRA TUNG: Wow. This is always a tough question because.

[06:11] SELWYN BERNARDES: I had to ask. I'm sorry.

[06:13] LEANDRA TUNG: I know. And I should always be prepared for this question, but I'm not, because I truly feel like this is my passion and my purpose, and this is the path that God wanted me to go on. Like, that's how I. Yes, Big G. This is where he said to go. And I feel that because of mentees like you and the other mentees I have on my caseload. And granted, not all of them get to their goals as quickly as you have. Well, honestly, I wouldn't even say quickly, but as steadily as you have. And that's really what makes me or made me want to become a social worker, because social work is not an instant gratification type of job. You have to do the work, and you have to put one foot forward or one foot in front of the other. And I feel like, in that I love seeing everyone's growth. I also feel like I'm an extension of a family member to each of you. So I like to teach. And just like you had said, Ms. Norma taught you how you would want to raise your family. Let's say you didn't have a foster parent like that. I would like to teach all of my mentees and future mentees the things that my family has also taught me. My family are immigrants. They came to this country, had to work hard. But one thing they always stress. They always stress how important family is. And that's something that I want you guys to always feel, because I feel like with success, you also have to feel support from others. So I think that's why I became a social worker, to hone in and become a huge support. Big L being trained by Big G. That's how I feel.

[07:56] SELWYN BERNARDES: Wow, that's deep. I felt that, you know, like, you genuinely meant that, you know, like. And I felt that, you know, so that's another thing about having a great mentor like Leandra, when she's genuine and, you know, it's hard not to fall in love with a person like that, right?

[08:13] LEANDRA TUNG: And what a mentor is supposed to do, we're always supposed to feel like, just like a parent. They say, like, oh, I want my kids to be better than me. That's how I feel about you guys. I never want to dim your light because you're a mentee. I always want you guys on top. I want you guys to be the best human you can possibly be in this crazy world. Especially since we live in New York City and there's so many odds that are against each and every one of you, and there's so many traumatic situations you guys have been through, and there's so many other people you can listen to. But I always want to be that little voice in the back of your head when you're about to do something bad. I want you to hear me tell you, don't do that.

[08:54] SELWYN BERNARDES: Definitely. Because, like, it's great that you say that. Because it's like, I am, like, I told you, I forgot my wallet at home. And the young me came into my mind at the train station, like, hop the train, bro. Oh, just hop the train. Don't worry.

[09:09] LEANDRA TUNG: So glad you wanna.

[09:10] SELWYN BERNARDES: You wanna get on time? You wanna get there on time? You don't want to hear Leander's mouth. Hop the train.

[09:14] LEANDRA TUNG: Good job.

[09:14] SELWYN BERNARDES: And I, like. I was like, you know what? No, I'm not hopping the train. I'm gonna walk back to the. To my apartment, get my wallet, and walk back, because I know I got a weekly for a reason, so, you know, it makes no sense. So you just hop the train and then what happens? I get pulled over by the cops and the same cycle restarts all over again. So it's like, nah, I'm not going back, bro.

[09:34] LEANDRA TUNG: Exactly. Well, I'm glad. The little voice, the little Leandra.

[09:37] SELWYN BERNARDES: Little Leandra, yeah, she was in my head.

[09:38] LEANDRA TUNG: See what I mean?

[09:40] SELWYN BERNARDES: She was definitely in my head.

[09:42] LEANDRA TUNG: Okay, so what do you want people to know about you and your foster care experience? And I think that was a good segue because that is part of your foster care experience, that cycle you were talking about. So let's get into that. What do you want people to know?

[09:58] SELWYN BERNARDES: What I want people to know about me is I'm hardheaded. What? Used to be, growing up, I never really listened to anybody. I was always the type of kid to tell you what you wanted to hear so I could just do what I wanted to do. And that got me nowhere really fast, because I end up following other groups of people that I thought were going to the right place and eventually ended up wasting a whole bunch of time and a lot of regrets. But it just. It's. It's. It was. It was a great. It was a crazy, great transition back then because I was in jail and in foster care at the same time. So it was like, wow, I really did this to myself. But at the same time, I'm the only person who could bring myself out of this, you know? And it's the same people like Marie Dunn, Norma Lopez. And before I got Leandra as my mentor, I had another mentor named. What was her name?

[11:12] LEANDRA TUNG: Darlene.

[11:12] SELWYN BERNARDES: Darlene. What?

[11:14] LEANDRA TUNG: How you forget Darlene?

[11:15] SELWYN BERNARDES: I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

[11:16] LEANDRA TUNG: It's been.

[11:17] SELWYN BERNARDES: It's been a long time. It's been a minute. But before Leandra, it was Darlene. And Darlene could tell anybody in the agency that I was going through, like, a substance abuse type of transition in my life. I was drinking every day and not really caring about what my future had in store for me. So I remember getting locked up, and Darlene was, like, crying, crying, crying, crying, crying. Like, she was hysterically crying. And I came out. But I came out to Darlene not being my mentor anymore because she had resigned to another position. Right?

[11:54] LEANDRA TUNG: Yeah, she transitioned to another.

[11:56] SELWYN BERNARDES: Yeah, she got another position somewhere else, but still works with the agency. And that's when I got Leandra. And when I got Leandra, it's like, things started happening for me. Like, you know, we had these goal sheets that we would, like, look on and. Or, like, what do you want to do sound when? Like, do you want to get your ged? Do you want to get your license? And I'm telling Leander, like, I want to get all these things because I don't have any. I don't got. I don't got shit to my name. You know, I have nothing to my name. So one by one, I forgot. What was the first thing that I accomplished on that goatee?

[12:35] LEANDRA TUNG: Your ged, I think.

[12:36] SELWYN BERNARDES: My ged?

[12:38] LEANDRA TUNG: Yeah, definitely.

[12:39] SELWYN BERNARDES: That's the first thing. Yes, that's the first thing I accomplished. But before all of that, I have gotten my apartment because I was invited to go to a graduation with Leandra, and at the time, I was still living with Ms. Norma. Oh, with you? Like, yeah. So, like, I remember because you invited me to this graduation ceremony with Graham, and we went, and at the graduation ceremony, you called me over, like, Selwyn you got approved for your apartment. I will never forget that day, like, I seen, like, how happy you were for me, because it's like, wow. And then.

[13:16] LEANDRA TUNG: But do you remember what happened before that? The month before that graduation and you got your apartment?

[13:22] SELWYN BERNARDES: I think I was locked up. I was locked up.

[13:25] LEANDRA TUNG: And do you remember how you felt before that?

[13:29] SELWYN BERNARDES: Like, I felt like.

[13:30] LEANDRA TUNG: Well, not before that, but after you came out of jail. Do you remember that feeling?

[13:35] SELWYN BERNARDES: Yeah, I remember the feeling, yes. Because he took me to go take me to go take Chinese food. And I told you, like, leanne, I'm never going back again, right? I'm never going back in there again, like, because it's like, I was doing good before I went back and I went back in. And it just like, delayed the whole process of where I really wanted to be at in life.

[13:54] LEANDRA TUNG: But it didn't delay it because if you think about it, right, because I say it didn't delay it because although you were locked up, you got your housing after you got a month, after you got out, you found out you passed every single. I mean, not exam, but subject on your ged, which meant better opportunities, right? Which meant also the long term goals were now about to be moved to the short term goals.

[14:21] SELWYN BERNARDES: That's true. That's true.

[14:23] LEANDRA TUNG: So I don't think it was a hopeless time.

[14:26] SELWYN BERNARDES: No, it wasn't a hopeless time. But looking back at it today, I was like, damn, son. When it was really, like, out there, like, you know, and I'm happy, like, I don't really regret anything now because I went through all of that for a reason, you know, Like, I could probably influence or motivate somebody else that's going through the same thing. I was going through foster care and being locked up and dealing with a parole officer that doesn't want him to stay with his foster mom and rather him go to a shelter. Like, I've been there, like, you know, and it was really hard because it wasn't easy. And all I can say is if you want the best for yourself, you got to do good for yourself, you know? Like, you just can't be in the streets is. Oh, yeah, bro, we lit, like, lit doing nothing, you know? So it's like. And that's why I had to separate myself, you know? Like, I truly had to separate myself. Like, do I actually love you guys or do I love being stuck in the same position with you guys? Like. Like, what is. Is it real love or. No, it's not really real love because it's like, if you guys really had true love, you feel me? Like, you wouldn't want to do that all day, every day.

[15:34] LEANDRA TUNG: You're talking about your friends.

[15:35] SELWYN BERNARDES: I'm talking about my friends here. You wouldn't want to be on the street, hanging out, drinking, smoking all day, every day, not wanting anything better for yourself. So I had to break that cycle in my head. I got to step away from this because I know this is not my life. I don't want this to be my life. And ever since then, I just never looked back, you know, so I could.

[15:57] LEANDRA TUNG: I'm happy.

[15:58] SELWYN BERNARDES: I'm happy too. Like, even though I might be bored homebody. I'd rather be a bored homebody than anything else.

[16:05] LEANDRA TUNG: Exactly. Let me tell you something. You're paying for that rent, so you better stay at home.

[16:11] SELWYN BERNARDES: What?

[16:12] LEANDRA TUNG: Club bed. Club, whatever club is out here. Club bed. Because you are paying good money to be in your apartment. You have a roof over your head, you have food in your refrigerator. Those are things that not everybody gets. Especially not everyone who ages out of foster care. So appreciate it.

[16:33] SELWYN BERNARDES: I'm truly blessed to have what I have, you know, because like, I'm not trying to sound cocky, but like, what 24 year old knows that has his own apartment over his head and, you know, is actually doing good by. By him and has a good team of people around him that actually care, you know, that help him, that helped me get here, you know. Cause like, I didn't do it by myself. Like, I definitely had help. Like. And like, it wasn't easy, you know? Like, even the times when Leander told me to stop hanging out, I looked at Leander like, girl, you crazy. Like, you want me to stop hanging out. Like, me.

[17:09] LEANDRA TUNG: You looked at me, I looked at you.

[17:13] SELWYN BERNARDES: I looked at you like you was crazy. Like, you want me to stop hanging out, Leandra? Like, no, I'm not gonna stop hanging out like I want. I wanna go have fun still. Like. But then again, that was. That was you wanting the best of me and me not knowing that you wanted the best for me, but me being ignorant to the fact that you really care enough love me, you know? So it's like, you know what? Now that I do listen to my mentor, I don't get in trouble no more. I don't get arrested no more. You feel me? Like I'm doing good. Like, that's it. Like, I'm happy. Like I'm not doing great. I'm not doing. I'm not rich. I'm not.

[17:49] LEANDRA TUNG: Like, don't do that. See? No, you're doing good.

[17:56] SELWYN BERNARDES: I'm doing good.

[17:57] LEANDRA TUNG: Exactly.

[17:57] SELWYN BERNARDES: You feel Me, I'm doing good, but I'm. I'm happy, you know, I'm content. I can't. I couldn't ask for anything more, you know, Vacation to the Bahamas. Yeah, that would be nice. Ooh, that would be nice.

[18:12] LEANDRA TUNG: We could put that on your goal sheet.

[18:14] SELWYN BERNARDES: No, I would like. Listen, I would want you to come. You, me, Anika, and offset.

[18:18] LEANDRA TUNG: I work with you. I cannot do that.

[18:20] SELWYN BERNARDES: Why not?

[18:21] LEANDRA TUNG: Because it is.

[18:22] SELWYN BERNARDES: You said family. Yeah, once you said family, all that other stuff is kicked to the curb.

[18:27] LEANDRA TUNG: What happens is when you work at an agency or something, it gets a little technical.

[18:30] SELWYN BERNARDES: Oh, that's true. But I'm not a liability. I'm an asset, if you ask me.

[18:34] LEANDRA TUNG: You are, you are, you are. But it gets a little technical. Just send me pictures.

[18:40] SELWYN BERNARDES: I'll send you pictures. I send you pictures. I sent you a picture.

[18:43] LEANDRA TUNG: Matter of fact, create a map, I get you a ticket.

[18:45] SELWYN BERNARDES: I get you two tickets for somebody you take.

[18:48] LEANDRA TUNG: Right. I was gonna say get a map. Points out everywhere you went. Then on a separate time, when you're in New York, I'll go and we'll walk the same. Walk the same sands. That works.

[19:02] SELWYN BERNARDES: That's fine.

[19:03] LEANDRA TUNG: That's perfect.

[19:06] SELWYN BERNARDES: All right, so this is another question for you, Leandra. What do you wish someone had told you when you were young?

[19:16] LEANDRA TUNG: You are really asking some hard questions. I feel like mine are easy, and you're asking me tough ones.

[19:22] SELWYN BERNARDES: Okay, I'm asking you an easy one.

[19:23] LEANDRA TUNG: No, no, we'll stick with that one. But asking you one more time.

[19:26] SELWYN BERNARDES: One more what? That. Ask you one more time. All right, another question or the same one?

[19:34] LEANDRA TUNG: Same one.

[19:35] SELWYN BERNARDES: What do you wish someone had told you when you were younger?

[19:38] LEANDRA TUNG: I wish someone had told me adulting was hard. I did not realize because I was aware of the bills, I was aware of the stress that comes with it, but I didn't know how fast all of these things would happen. Right. So now that it's here, I wish my mother prepared me a little better, to be honest. She did a good job, but I feel like there should have been more preparation. But at the same time, I'm kind of happy that I wasn't fully prepared, because I feel like when you make your own mistakes, you learn from them. Right, True. So I'm kind of happy she didn't tell me or wasn't like, a helicopter mom, so to speak. She kind of let me learn these things on my own. So I'm very happy, and I think I do that with you and the others. Do you feel that, like, I'm not a helicopter mentor. I feel like I make you have or allow you guys to make mistakes. Not ones that will harm you, but mistakes. Definitely.

[20:36] SELWYN BERNARDES: Yeah.

[20:37] LEANDRA TUNG: Yeah. And I feel like that that's a good lesson.

[20:40] SELWYN BERNARDES: It is.

[20:40] LEANDRA TUNG: I really wish someone said adulting is harder than you.

[20:43] SELWYN BERNARDES: It's hard. It's really hard.

[20:46] LEANDRA TUNG: But I feel like I tell you.

[20:47] SELWYN BERNARDES: That it is really hard.

[20:48] LEANDRA TUNG: Pay your bills.

[20:50] SELWYN BERNARDES: I do. Like, you know, I'm getting better at it now. Like, now I feel like I'm much, much, much, much better at it, you know? Cause at the beginning, I was like, oh, my God, Leander, how am I doing this? I remember bills are stacking up on me. I'm like, damn. Like. But I got out of it. I definitely got out of it, you know? So I'm definitely getting better at paying bills and managing my money and, you know, not being young. Like, oh, let me go to the store, give me, like, $500 pair of Jordans, and I. I even pay my bills yet. So, like, I can't do that no more. I'm not young. So most of the bills is paid. Everything is paid for. Fridge is good. Everything good. Then I could have a little fun, but still be responsible.

[21:28] LEANDRA TUNG: Definitely.

[21:29] SELWYN BERNARDES: You know, so. Yeah.

[21:31] LEANDRA TUNG: Okay. So with that said, what advice would you give? Sorry? What advice would you give to teens currently in care? Well, foster care or teens who are aging out of foster care. You get to pick the age group. So what would you tell teens in care, teens aging out?

[21:54] SELWYN BERNARDES: I got something for both age groups.

[21:57] LEANDRA TUNG: All right, let's go.

[21:58] SELWYN BERNARDES: Tell us, because what was the first one again?

[22:01] LEANDRA TUNG: What would you tell them?

[22:02] SELWYN BERNARDES: Like, what would I tell them is advice?

[22:04] LEANDRA TUNG: Would you give them?

[22:05] SELWYN BERNARDES: Like, advice that I would give them? Like, damn, it's hard, because nobody really gave me advice when I was pretty much a teen.

[22:13] LEANDRA TUNG: See? And that's why this right here is happening, because now you get to give the advice that you didn't get. So maybe I should rephrase the question. What advice do you wish you had gotten when you was in foster care?

[22:29] SELWYN BERNARDES: Wow. Like, no matter what, everything is gonna be okay. Like, you know, we're here for you guys, you know? Like, we're not here for anything else. But you guys, you know, if you need help, let me know.

[22:43] LEANDRA TUNG: Who's we? Case planners.

[22:48] SELWYN BERNARDES: I mean, like, case planners, directors, mentors, slam coaches. Like, just everybody in general. Because I never, like, really had. Well, I did. Marie Dunn had someone tell me how important I am, you know, and sometimes people forget to tell the foster youth this because it's like they're more worried about a check than anything else. And I have experience with that myself because I worked with the agency, had a little internship, and I really got to see people's true colors. So with that being said, the things I would tell the teens in foster care, that you guys are just important as any other kid. All right? Like, you guys are awesome. You guys are talented. You guys are, like, so beautiful and so much stronger because it's like, you guys have such a light in you guys. And trust me, it took me a very long time to see my light, you know? And for all those kids in foster care, you guys have a light in you. Use the system because the system will help you. A lot of. A lot of these teens in foster care nowadays don't think that the system is not going to help them. Trust me, they're going to help you. Yes. Give it time. Just connect with the right people. Trust me, the help is going to come, and whatever you put your mind to is possible. You know, like, don't ever forget that. And for the kids agent out of care, I will say this. If you utilize foster care the way you supposed to, then you have nothing to worry about. You know, we just got approved from the Fair Futures campaign for the 50 million. For the 50 million, right. For the next five years. So that alone is extending services to the ages of 26 now, right, Leandra?

[24:44] LEANDRA TUNG: Yes, to 26.

[24:45] SELWYN BERNARDES: So what I say to the kids agent now aging out of care right now is utilize the programs that are being offered to you by your facilitators, your social workers, because it's there for you. Like, you know, don't think the help is not there because it is. You guys need medical cards. You guys don't have no money in your pocket. Trust me, the help is there. You just can't be ignorant. Ignorant to the fact that the help is from the system. Like, I understand some kid have pride issues. Like, now I could do it by myself. Like, I don't need foster care. I don't need a system. Like. But no, that's just. That's just an ignorant way of thinking about things. You know, you gotta really, like, all right, put your pride to the side and let them help you. You might not get the Mercedes because they're not offering the Mercedes. You know, they offering school. They offering a roof over your head, and they're offering, you know, a little stipend here and there. Those things add up, you know?

[25:39] LEANDRA TUNG: So, right, we're helping you get your own Mercedes.

[25:43] SELWYN BERNARDES: Exactly. That's helping you get your own Mercedes down the line.

[25:47] LEANDRA TUNG: Exactly.

[25:48] SELWYN BERNARDES: You know, moving forward, guys, like, if you guys want to go back to school, vocational training, anything else. Agency. Got you.

[25:56] LEANDRA TUNG: Okay, I have a quick follow up question.

[25:59] SPEAKER C: You don't have to answer this, but I'm just curious. You said so when you said something to the effect of. It took you a while to find your light. And I wonder if you can describe, like, how you found it. Like, was there like an incident? Was it like a relationship? Can you, like, just like, reflect on that a little more?

[26:19] SELWYN BERNARDES: Okay. No, no, no. I would like to. She. I just gotta. She had to ask me a question about the light, and then I gotta tell her about the light.

[26:27] SPEAKER C: Right?

[26:27] SELWYN BERNARDES: That's true.

[26:29] LEANDRA TUNG: So this light that you were speaking about that you needed to find, right?

[26:33] SELWYN BERNARDES: Yeah.

[26:33] LEANDRA TUNG: How'd you find it?

[26:36] SELWYN BERNARDES: Like, it took me. It took me a little long while to find this light because, you know, so many people would be like, oh, my God, you got so much potential inside you. What the hell is this person talking about? You know, like, I always brush it off. Like, and then a couple more years go by, like, oh, you know, you got this light in you. Like, you got this potential. Like, I'm like, okay, I don't know what this. What these people's talking about. And then. Right. I feel like I figured this out, like, recently, you know?

[27:09] LEANDRA TUNG: Recently?

[27:09] SELWYN BERNARDES: Yeah, recently.

[27:10] LEANDRA TUNG: Like this year. Recently.

[27:11] SELWYN BERNARDES: This year. Recently.

[27:12] LEANDRA TUNG: All right, go ahead.

[27:14] SELWYN BERNARDES: I don't know. Like, it's weird because it's like, I feel like it all started with this campaign thingy, this fair future stuff. And like. And when I was telling my story to the lady, right?

[27:27] LEANDRA TUNG: Which lady?

[27:27] SELWYN BERNARDES: Remember the PIX11?

[27:29] LEANDRA TUNG: Okay.

[27:29] SELWYN BERNARDES: Right. And I was telling my story to the lady, right? And she was like, oh, you're like a. And around this time, Nipsey Hussle had just died, right? So she's like, oh, so you're like a modern day Nipsey. But I'm not gang banging. I'm not doing any of that stuff, right? So. But what made me feel like I found a light? It's because I was talking about how I transitioned from being a kid into slowly into that adult, you know? And, like, I was just talking about how I wanted to, like, have my own business and, like, make my own theater school for kids and stuff like that so they could have an opportunity to have, like, acting classes and be a part of something bigger than themselves, you know? And this light started coming to me. Like, it's like, it's More of a, like, caring, genuine light, you know, where I care for other youths like myself, you know? And then from PIX11 went to the radio show, and I was talking to kid. I was talking about my experience on the radio show again. And then I heard people calling in. They asking questions and stuff. And that made me feel good too. And it's just like. And it kept going. Then it stopped for a while, right? And then the other day, I was in school, and one of the kids came up to me. He's like, oh, man, I seen you on one of the news thing is easy.

[29:02] LEANDRA TUNG: Oh, you're famous now.

[29:06] SELWYN BERNARDES: And I'm like, what? You saw me on the news, bro? You know how long ago that was, bro? Like, yo, bro, but yo, your story was yo, bro. Like, yo, you seeing you talk, bro. Then I follow the link to your radio show thing, and then I'm just listening to you talk. I'm like, yo, bro, what you doing is dope, bro. Like, and you was in foster care, bro. You don't even look like you was in foster care. I'm like, man, I'm just telling you my story, man. And that made me feel so good. Like a kid in school today. He's come up to me, hey, man, I saw you on tv. I'm like, bro, you know how long ago that was? That was that recent, you know? That was very long ago.

[29:36] LEANDRA TUNG: April.

[29:37] SELWYN BERNARDES: Yo, you need to be like a movie, a motivational speaker saying, bro, like, you know how to talk. I'm like, well, I don't know. Like, if it calls for it, it calls for it. But I want to be active. You feel me? I want to act like I won't be Denzel, you know? But that's when I feel like I. I realized, like, if I can make some. I can. If I can influence somebody else through my story, then that's the potential that was always in me, you know, because it's like, wow. Like, my story is really impactful, and I could change other people's lives just by that.

[30:09] LEANDRA TUNG: Not only that, but you passed on the light that I gave to you. Well, not even my light. The light that Ms. Dunn gave you, the light that Ms. Norma gave you, the light that I gave you was passed on to you right then you were able. A couple weeks ago, or however long ago it was, you were able to pass on your light to someone else. Because who knows? He just told you that. What? Imagine what he was thinking in his head. Imagine the ghost. He's like, you know what? He was in foster Care. I wasn't. I'm gonna set my goals and this is gonna happen. Imagine what light or the light that he passes on to someone else and how that just keeps going down the line. Just lights, keeps on going. More like lightning bugs.

[30:54] SELWYN BERNARDES: That was like a cute Cordy lightning bug. But it made me laugh, though, so it wasn't corny. All right, Leandra, so I'm ask you the next question. How would you like to be remembered? How would you like to be remembered?

[31:11] LEANDRA TUNG: Hmm. I would like to be remembered how you basically have described me. Like, we see how we spoke about the light. You see how you said, I'm a caring person. Like, this is how I want to be.

[31:26] SELWYN BERNARDES: Genuine caring. Difference. Can't put caring. I put Januyn in, Karen.

[31:30] LEANDRA TUNG: Yes. So I genuinely care.

[31:32] SELWYN BERNARDES: There you go.

[31:33] LEANDRA TUNG: And this is how I want people to always view me. And this is how I am in my personal life, along with my professional life. I always want people to say, you know, Leandra made me feel good. Leandra made me feel like I can do something. I can be somebody. I can conquer the world, take care of the world. I could be Superman, Superwoman or whatever. That's how I always want people to think of me. And I say that because there's so many people I've learned. So I've had mentors, right? I've been a mentee myself. And one of my mentees, she never wanted to see me shine. She would belittle me. Well, I shouldn't say belittle me.

[32:13] SELWYN BERNARDES: Your mentor?

[32:15] LEANDRA TUNG: Yes, my mentor, believe it or not.

[32:17] SELWYN BERNARDES: Are you sure she was your mentor? She was a hater.

[32:19] LEANDRA TUNG: Exactly. See what I mean? And something that I learned was this is how. That was her imprint on me. Just me. So if anyone was to ever ask me to write something about her, right, that would be in my mind. That's how I remembered her. I remembered her as a ishy person, not a villain. But I remember it just wasn't a good remembrance, right? So I always want people to remember me as a good person. Like, I always want them to remember that, oh, Leandra helped me that one time. Or with the little voice, like you said in your head, like, this is how I wanna be remembered. Like how Nipsey Hussle was remembered for all the good that he did, but no one really knew the good that he did. That's how I wanna be remembered.

[33:01] SELWYN BERNARDES: That's awesome.

[33:02] LEANDRA TUNG: I wanna be sneaky. I wanna be sneaky. You'll look at me and be like, hmm, what is that girl about? And Then you hear, like, five people. Oh, you know, Leandra helped me do this. Because of Leandra, I am the president of the United States. Because of Leandro, I own this theater company for children. And that's it. All right, so for the last question, I feel like this is a great question. What does your future hold for you? Sewing.

[33:28] SELWYN BERNARDES: A lot of success.

[33:30] LEANDRA TUNG: What does success look like to you?

[33:32] SELWYN BERNARDES: Success look like to me. Having a nice, big, beautiful family. Leandra being the godmother of my children. Oh, Lord, that's gonna happen.

[33:41] LEANDRA TUNG: The ethics code that is being broken.

[33:44] SELWYN BERNARDES: What else? And a lot more like, you know, graduate from college, you know, with my associates, my bachelor's by then, and be on my career field, you know, so.

[33:54] LEANDRA TUNG: And what's that? Because they don't know. So tell them. What is your career?

[33:57] SELWYN BERNARDES: Well, my career field right now is performing arts, y'all. Yes. That's my major in college, but I'm taking remedial for the first semester. So after that, I want to get my associates in performing arts, and then I want to get my BA in business.

[34:14] LEANDRA TUNG: Sounds like a good plan.

[34:15] SELWYN BERNARDES: It is a good plan.

[34:16] LEANDRA TUNG: So do you have any questions for me? Well, one question, because this is over.

[34:20] SELWYN BERNARDES: I want you to wrap it up with one of your wise words, wise quotes, if you have one for us tonight.

[34:28] LEANDRA TUNG: I do. I do. Okay.

[34:29] SELWYN BERNARDES: Don't get it from your iPhone either.

[34:31] LEANDRA TUNG: Yeah, but it's on the spine. We got, like, two seconds left. I guess the one that I said earlier to you, you could never be overdressed or overeducated.

[34:41] SELWYN BERNARDES: Okay, girl, you tell. You let them know.

[34:43] LEANDRA TUNG: Exactly. There's no such thing as an over education.

[34:45] SELWYN BERNARDES: You can't be overdressed or over educated, y'all.

[34:48] LEANDRA TUNG: Continue learning Reach for the stars. Oh, I said three. Well, we're gonna wrap it up.

[34:56] SELWYN BERNARDES: This was fun. I like this. This is fun.