PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Leo Abelo Perry is only 9 years old, but he's already made his big break.
The Doylestown native stars in the new Disney remake of "Cheaper by the Dozen," alongside Gabrielle Union and Zach Braff.
"It was really fun because I get to play with 10 kids on the set. And like me, and this other kid on set would play chess in between scenes," he told KYW Newsradio.
Perry has been acting since the age of 6, but as an activist and host of his own podcast, "The Activators," he's also proving that young people can make big changes in the world.
"We talk about activism. There are so many causes in the world that are bad right now," he said.
"You know how some grown-ups say, like, kids can't change stuff, because we're too little or something? I feel like 'The Activators' is really highlighting those kids, that you can actually change the world when you're still a kid."
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After attending his first protest, Leo was inspired to use his talent to raise money for a cause near and dear to him.
"Three weeks later, I'm like, 'What can I do to change the world, even though I am a kid?' and I just think of the ways and then I am outside in my front yard, drawing stuff with chalk. I've got two hats out. And I'm like, 'Please donate to Black Lives Matter,'" he recalled.
"At the time, I was playing music from my computer. It was just really, really fun. I did something that meant a lot to me. But it was fun."
Perry started his own Dance for Justice movement and raised more than $20,000 for Black Lives Matter and other organizations that inspire and support kids.
"I feel so really good. Because I feel like all those people that need it, like need that money, I have the money to give them that. It's not my money, but I gave it to them. And now they have it and now they have better lives now," he said.
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Perry now lives in Los Angeles with his mother and his dog, named Pretzel. But he's still Philly proud – and repping the Philly disdain for Ben Simmons.
"I am so glad he got traded. That was the happiest moment for me," he said.
His advice for others wanting to make a difference?
"About activism, if something means a lot to you, and you love doing something, combine those two things, and there you go. You might have your title, and you might have what you love doing to spread more love."
Are you a Philadelphia public school parent? If you are, you might want to listen to this.