ORION JEAN

“IF YOU SEE A PROBLEM, FIX IT.” THAT’S HOW humanitarian Orion Jean sums up his work, over Zoom from his home in Mansfield, Texas. Just 11 years old, Jean is TIME’s Kid of the Year for 2021, selected from a field of thousands. He sees himself as an ambassador for kindness—jumping in wherever he sees a need. For Thanksgiving 2020, he organized the donation and delivery of 100,000 meals to food-insecure families across the country. Over summer break, he got 500,000 books to kids in their homes. And he always brings others with him. At a time when isolation and division are rampant, Jean sees the world as it could be if more people brought their communities together to help their neediest members.

Angelina Jolie: I’ve met many different leaders around the world, and one of the things that most people forget is how to explain a simple truth about what matters. That’s why I’m so impressed with you. You really reminded me of that.

Orion Jean: Thank you. That means a lot coming from you.

Jolie: Will you explain the focus of your work and how it came about?

I’ve always been able to, when I get