Meet Trailblazer Lily Cole

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lily Cole.

Lily, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was born into an interracial family, my mom immigrated to America from Korea when she was four and my dad is Jewish. Making me Jewrean. I had lived with my family, including two younger siblings and occasional houseguests, on the Northside of Denver up until a few years ago, when we moved to the suburbs. This allowed me to be able to experience life through different lenses. In Denver, I was surrounded by diversity, not just racially speaking, but economically, religiously, status wise, etc. as well. Moving for me was like going from a very colorful and moldable lifestyle to a more black and white, structured living. In the suburbs, I learned how to deal with racism and persevere through adversity, whereas in Denver, I learned about awareness and expression. It turns out my story growing up in opposite places was fascinating enough to land me a spot as a TEDx speaker for Dakota Ridge, my talk was called “You Just Never Know.” This was one of the greatest opportunities I was ever given and it altered my life for the better. It was the exact motivation and push I needed for me to believe in myself and pursue my dreams, it felt like if I focused enough, I would be able to do anything. Along with TEDx, I have also been playing the cello for nearly five years and have been in the advanced group for most of my time playing. I also received my black belt in Kenpo Karate this year and was second in state in my last competition season for sparring. I leave in August to study abroad in Peru and wish to learn as much as I can there. My true passion is for acting, and I plan to chase that goal. But along the way, I will focus on learning as much as I can about anything I can.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Anyone who has ever lived has faced two types of obstacles, external and internal.

For my external obstacles, I have faced racism/discrimination as a biracial American as well as certain financial struggles. When I moved to the suburbs I was faced with a more closed-minded environment, where people weren’t as “cool” about having mixed kids from the city in their school. When I wasn’t being taunted for my ethnic background, I was considered less than for not being able to spend my weekends going on hundred dollar shopping sprees at the mall. One thing that was more difficult than I like to admit, was the fact that both my parents, particularly my mom, had to work far more than before. I’m very close to my mom, and not being able to go to her and talk was something that I didn’t realize was a blessing until it was taken away. More than anything I feel incredibly thankful to have a mom that works so hard for her family, and through this situation, she has taught me that “even if it sucks, you just gotta push through.” This is the advice that kept me from giving up or losing my marbles. That as well as remembering that the people who you come across in your life, are all living a life we know nothing about. So, even if someone is attempting to hate on you and drag you down, find it in your soul to keep pushing forward, and find it in your heart to realize that they could be fighting a battle we know nothing about.

Internally speaking, I had faced problems with my stubbornness as well as feeling stuck. I had very little control over many parts of my life and I constantly felt stuck in a situation that I hated. So, I would obsess over another situation that wasn’t possible. I figured out that I had more control than I thought, and that I needed to instead focus on goals and dreams to have to look forward to, instead of constantly wishing to be somewhere else. I realized that where I might not be able to change everything now, change will come, and I could build myself a life that I truly wanted. I also realized that I needed a balance of focusing on my goals, with being great full for my current state.

Please tell us more about what you do, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am still a student in high school, but as I have mentioned earlier, I was a TEDx Speaker. I think that’s pretty cool. I want to become an actress and I will be in my first short film this summer. Acting is what I have directed my focus towards and is what I wish to do, I know it will take a lot of work, but I am focused on that goal and have confidence in my ability. I am constantly trying to learn more about anything because any experience in life will somehow benefit me. I feel as though some things that set me apart from my peers is my ambition. I am incredibly ambitious for my age and am always looking for what more I can be doing. I think I am also very outgoing and honest for my age, and I am not afraid to speak up about things I believe in or feel passionate about. I try and live knowing that embarrassment is inevitable, I can’t pursue what I want because I am afraid of rejection or embarrassment. I am a go-getter and I get restless when I feel like I could be doing something more.

Do you feel like there was something about the experiences you had growing up that played an outsized role in setting you up for success later in life?
Honestly, the most influential and important part of my childhood that set me up for success were my parents. Where, yes, having three girls sleeping in one bed and five people in one bathroom taught me lessons, I think my parents taught me more than anything. They are the most open-minded people in the world and taught me how to see things from different angles. They taught me how to accept new experiences with open arms and how to chase what I wanted. My mom is the most giving person I know and she taught me how to have an open heart. My dad is the most observant man I’ve ever met and he taught me how to read situations and people. Both my parents are incredibly crafty and work hard for things they want. So, I owe everything to them, because I would not have been able to turn every situation I’ve been in, into something valuable without them. I feel the places I’ve lived in were incredibly influential as well, but it was my parents who guided me through those places that made all the difference.

Contact Info:

• Email: lilyhammercole@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilyscole/
• Other: https://youtu.be/KYJnqJ5RtoQ

Image Credit:
Latina Ludwig, Todd Cole

Getting in touch: VoyageDenver is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.