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Our Story

We all have one.

Makaila Nichols faced relentless bullying throughout her teen years and even into adult hood. Writing became her outlet—a way to process her pain and share her truth. Determined to help others going through similar experiences, she turned her story into a book.


Her debut, Blatantly Honest: Normal Teen, Abnormal Life, quickly became a bestseller in both Parenting of Teens and Teen Social Issues. The book catapulted Makaila into the national spotlight, opening doors for her to speak at schools and youth organizations across the country—from elementary classrooms to high school auditoriums.


As her message grew, so did her mission. To reach even younger audiences, Makaila created Blatantly Honest coloring books, teaching kids about bullying and body image in an age-appropriate, classroom-friendly format. These interactive tools are often paired with in-person talks from Makaila herself, bringing the lessons to life in a powerful and personal way.


Now, as President and Founder of the Blatantly Honest Foundation, Makaila is committed to ensuring that students everywhere have access to the books, conversations, and support they need to stand strong against the social issues affecting today’s youth.


For more information on Makaila Nichols please visit her website: www.makailanichols.com

Our mission

Mission Statement

Our goal is to help students feel seen, heard, and supported. By starting real conversations about bullying, body image, and more, we’re creating a world where being Blatantly Honest is the norm—not the exception.

Board of Directors

Steven Nichols

Julie Broughton

Julie Broughton

Vice President | Treasurer 


Steve Nichols brings decades of experience in sales, marketing, and entrepreneurship, with a strong background in outdoor advertising and family entertainment. Known for his ability to identify growth opportunities, he has led multiple mergers, acquisitions, and successful ventures across various industries, inc

Vice President | Treasurer 


Steve Nichols brings decades of experience in sales, marketing, and entrepreneurship, with a strong background in outdoor advertising and family entertainment. Known for his ability to identify growth opportunities, he has led multiple mergers, acquisitions, and successful ventures across various industries, including food service, recruiting, and consulting for Fortune 500 companies.


A dedicated philanthropist, Steve has served on boards for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Florida Hospital for Children, and the Dr. Phillips YMCA. His greatest pride is supporting his daughter Makaila’s mission to positively impact the lives of youth nationwide.

Julie Broughton

Julie Broughton

Julie Broughton

Secretary  


Julie Broughton is a news anchor and meteorologist for News 6 in Orlando. Through her Getting Results in Our Schools segment, she met Makaila Nichols and was inspired to join the Blatantly Honest Foundation board.


Julie has worked in television across the country and has covered major events like the 2004 hurricane season. She’s

Secretary  


Julie Broughton is a news anchor and meteorologist for News 6 in Orlando. Through her Getting Results in Our Schools segment, she met Makaila Nichols and was inspired to join the Blatantly Honest Foundation board.


Julie has worked in television across the country and has covered major events like the 2004 hurricane season. She’s also interviewed celebrities—from Muhammad Ali to Wayne Brady—and brings her passion for storytelling and youth advocacy to the foundation.

Julie encourages her daughter Isla to live Blatantly Honest and proudly shares their family motto—alongside plenty of photos of their goldendoodle, Jake Faberge.

Thomas Reale

Julie Broughton

Thomas Reale

Officer


Tom Reale brings over 30 years of publishing industry experience, having held leadership roles at Random House, HarperCollins, and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. He joined BBPG in 2014 and, under his leadership, the company saw over 900% growth—earning a top spot on Publishers Weekly’s Fast-Growing Independent Publishers list.

Promoted 

Officer


Tom Reale brings over 30 years of publishing industry experience, having held leadership roles at Random House, HarperCollins, and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. He joined BBPG in 2014 and, under his leadership, the company saw over 900% growth—earning a top spot on Publishers Weekly’s Fast-Growing Independent Publishers list.

Promoted from COO to President in 2018, Tom continues to guide BBPG’s strategic vision. His expertise in business development and organizational change makes him a valuable asset to the Blatantly Honest Foundation’s board.

Board members

James Haven

Kathleen Wright

James Haven

Board Member 


James Haven is a leading expert in anti-human trafficking and child exploitation, with experience advising three U.S. presidential administrations and lobbying Congress on children’s rights. He sponsored legislation allowing youth to receive sexual assault exams without parental consent and collaborates globally to fight traf

Board Member 


James Haven is a leading expert in anti-human trafficking and child exploitation, with experience advising three U.S. presidential administrations and lobbying Congress on children’s rights. He sponsored legislation allowing youth to receive sexual assault exams without parental consent and collaborates globally to fight trafficking at its roots.


As a producer and advocate, James creates powerful awareness content and is developing a film based on the memoir of Rachael Denhollander, the first to publicly accuse Larry Nassar. He partners with international leaders and organizations to implement innovative models combatting trafficking and online exploitation.


Driven by a vision to transform lives, James works to empower survivors, promote healing, and inspire global change.

Dale Noelle

Kathleen Wright

James Haven

Board Member 

  

Dale Noelle is an entrepreneur, health coach, motivational speaker, and advocate for healthy practices and technological innovation in fashion and modeling. A former fitting model for top designers like Michael Kors and Calvin Klein, she founded TRUE Model Management to empower others in the industry.

Dale teaches at The Fas

Board Member 

  

Dale Noelle is an entrepreneur, health coach, motivational speaker, and advocate for healthy practices and technological innovation in fashion and modeling. A former fitting model for top designers like Michael Kors and Calvin Klein, she founded TRUE Model Management to empower others in the industry.

Dale teaches at The Fashion Institute of Technology and serves on multiple boards and committees, including Miss America New York and The Federal Enforcement Homeland Security Foundation. Recently nominated to the Blatantly Honest Foundation board, she also champions the foundation’s mission as an Ambassador for Operation Inclusion.

Kathleen Wright

Kathleen Wright

Kathleen Wright

Board Member 


As the Manager of Partners in Education for Orange County Public Schools and the current President of Florida Association of Partners in Education; Kathleen works with businesses and their philanthropic goals for schools. Educating children has always been a passion for Kathleen, with a total of 19 years in education, 15 of w

Board Member 


As the Manager of Partners in Education for Orange County Public Schools and the current President of Florida Association of Partners in Education; Kathleen works with businesses and their philanthropic goals for schools. Educating children has always been a passion for Kathleen, with a total of 19 years in education, 15 of which was in the classroom. She has seen the the results of bullying and the positive outcomes of mentoring and role models. 

Advisory board

John Spencer

Daniel Rosenstein

John Spencer

Space Advisor


John is a pioneer in outer space architecture since the late 1970s, contributing to NASA’s International Space Station and Space Shuttle’s SpaceHab module. He founded the Space Tourism Society in 1996 and co-authored the first U.S. book on space tourism.


With projects ranging from spaceports and Antarctic labs to Earth-based s

Space Advisor


John is a pioneer in outer space architecture since the late 1970s, contributing to NASA’s International Space Station and Space Shuttle’s SpaceHab module. He founded the Space Tourism Society in 1996 and co-authored the first U.S. book on space tourism.


With projects ranging from spaceports and Antarctic labs to Earth-based space-themed developments totaling over $340 million, John is currently designing the proposed “Mars World” complex in Las Vegas.

He advises major film and TV creators—including James Cameron, Steven Spielberg, Disney Junior, and JJ Abrams—and serves as a senior advisor for the Science and Entertainment Exchange, blending real space innovation with entertainment.

Kenny Taht

Daniel Rosenstein

John Spencer

Advisor


For 20 years, Kenny has written, produced, designed and directed award-winning branded content projects for TV and film. Ever the visionary, he delivers immersive concepts and projects for theme park attractions, executive briefing centers, innovations centers, live events and exhibitions.


Early in his career, Kenny helped launch th

Advisor


For 20 years, Kenny has written, produced, designed and directed award-winning branded content projects for TV and film. Ever the visionary, he delivers immersive concepts and projects for theme park attractions, executive briefing centers, innovations centers, live events and exhibitions.


Early in his career, Kenny helped launch the Golf Channel as well as other brands that now have national recognition and retail presence. Kenny brings a creative energy to GoConvergence that inspires all of us to be the best brand team in the industry and to always be thinking of the next big idea!



Daniel Rosenstein

Daniel Rosenstein

Daniel Rosenstein

Advisor


Dan Rosenstein is a Financial Advisor with experience in asset and liability management for high net worth individuals, businesses, foundations and endowments. He provides highly customized portfolios and investment strategies in addition to efficient financing strategies and risk management for clients. Every engagement with a cli

Advisor


Dan Rosenstein is a Financial Advisor with experience in asset and liability management for high net worth individuals, businesses, foundations and endowments. He provides highly customized portfolios and investment strategies in addition to efficient financing strategies and risk management for clients. Every engagement with a client starts with a comprehensive review of their current overall financial life, resulting in a carefully drafted financial plan that outlines the steps necessary to help achieve their short and long term financial goals.

Philanthropy, Impact, Diversity and the Arts are particularly important to Dan. Dan sits on multiple not-for-profit boards and advisory committees. 

Our Purpose

Our Team

Our Mission

Our History

  Led by 28-year-old Makaila Nichols, our passionate team is on a mission to break the stigma surrounding the social issues today’s youth face. With the support of respected voices in business, education, and the community, Blatantly Honest is expanding its reach—bringing impactful conversations and resources to schools, organizations, and youth programs around the world.

Our History

Our Mission

Our History

 Makaila Nichols has always carried a deep sense of protectiveness for others. As an only child, she faced her own battles—struggling with eating disorders, bullying, sexual assault, and other difficult social challenges. But with the unwavering support of her parents and key mentors, Makaila made a powerful choice: to transform her pain 

 Makaila Nichols has always carried a deep sense of protectiveness for others. As an only child, she faced her own battles—struggling with eating disorders, bullying, sexual assault, and other difficult social challenges. But with the unwavering support of her parents and key mentors, Makaila made a powerful choice: to transform her pain into purpose. She turned the darkest chapters of her life into a message of hope, using her story to inspire and empower young people facing similar struggles.

Our Mission

Our Mission

Our Mission

 We’re dedicated to making a lasting difference in the lives of young people by empowering them to speak up—for themselves and for others. We believe every individual has a story worth sharing and the strength to rise above even their deepest struggles.


The Blatantly Honest Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3).  

EIN # is: 84-4376786

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