Scottlynn Strong calls herself extraordinary, and she means it as a standard to live up to. A junior at Cass Technical High School in Detroit, she is an entrepreneur, youth advocate, and aspiring lawyer, building her hair brand The Lab Collection, the youth led violence prevention initiative Strong and Truly United, and Pathways to Law at her school, all before graduation.
Who are you, and what are you building right now?
"My name is Scottlynn Strong, and I'm a junior at Cass Technical High School in Detroit. If there's one word that describes me, it's extraordinary. It's actually my favorite word because I believe it represents who I am and who I'm becoming. To me, being extraordinary means daring to think beyond what's expected of you, taking initiative, and recognizing that you don't have to wait until you're older to make an impact. I don't just want to call myself extraordinary; I want my actions to reflect it. I'm an entrepreneur, youth advocate, and aspiring lawyer currently building two initiatives that represent different parts of my vision. The Lab Collection is my hair extension brand, where I'm learning what it takes to build and run a business, from branding and customer relationships to creating a brand that people trust. Strong and Truly United (STU) is a youth led initiative I founded to focus on teen gun violence prevention, healing, and supporting families and friends affected by violence. Outside of these initiatives, I founded Pathways to Law at my school to connect students with legal professionals and introduce them to opportunities in the legal field. Whether I'm building a business, advocating for my community, or creating opportunities for other students, I'm committed to making the most of my potential and showing that being young doesn't limit what you can accomplish."
"You don't have to wait until you're older to make an impact."
What was the moment you decided to actually go for it?
"With The Lab Collection, I wanted to challenge myself to turn an interest into something real. I didn't want to just have ideas about owning a business. I wanted to learn what it actually takes to build a brand, attract customers, and be responsible for something of my own. Starting my business gave me the opportunity to learn through experience instead of waiting until I was older. With Strong and Truly United, the motivation was much more personal. After losing someone close to my community to teen involved gun violence, I saw how deeply that loss affected the people around him. I wanted to do something that could help prevent other families from experiencing that pain while also creating space for young people to talk about what they're going through. That experience pushed me to turn something painful into a purpose. I realized that I didn't have to wait until I was an adult to start making a difference. I could begin with the resources, relationships, and ideas I already had."
"That experience pushed me to turn something painful into a purpose."
What does Detroit mean to your work?
"Detroit is home, and it's a major part of why I do what I do. Growing up here has shown me how much talent, creativity, and potential exist in our communities. It has also shown me that young people need access to more opportunities, mentorship, and spaces where their voices are taken seriously. I want my work to reflect both sides of Detroit: the ambition of its young people and the challenges that many families face. Through The Lab Collection, I'm building entrepreneurial skills and showing myself what's possible. Through STU, I'm working to bring young people together around an issue that affects our communities directly. I don't want to look at Detroit's challenges and assume that someone else has to solve them. I want to be part of the generation that takes initiative, creates opportunities, and contributes to solutions."
What's something people get wrong about what you do?
"People sometimes assume that because I'm still in high school, I'm too young to build something serious or create meaningful change. But being young doesn't mean you lack ideas, ambition, or the ability to lead. It means you're learning while doing, and that's something I've embraced. Running a business takes consistency, responsibility, and patience. Community work takes commitment, empathy, and the willingness to have difficult conversations. Neither is as simple as it might look from the outside. I'm still learning, and I don't pretend to have everything figured out. But I believe you can take your goals seriously before you have everything perfectly planned. I don't want to spend these years waiting for permission to start building the future I envision for myself."
What's next? What does the near future look like for you?
"My next goal is to grow both of my initiatives in ways that create a lasting impact. For The Lab Collection, I want to continue strengthening the brand, reaching more customers, and learning how to build a sustainable business. For Strong and Truly United, I want to expand opportunities for young people to connect, discuss teen gun violence, access support, and become part of prevention efforts in their communities. I also want to continue growing Pathways to Law at Cass Tech by connecting students with legal professionals and helping them see what a future in law could look like. Academically, I'm preparing for college and working toward my long term goal of becoming a lawyer. Ultimately, I want to build a future where entrepreneurship, law, and community advocacy can work together. I'm still at the beginning of my journey, but I'm intentional about the things I start and the people I hope to impact. For me, the near future is about continuing to learn, building stronger foundations, and turning the ideas I have today into opportunities that last beyond high school."
