If the name Brilyn Hollyhand sounds familiar, it’s likely because you’ve heard or seen him this past month on radio and television discussing the legacy of his friend, the late Turning Point USA founder, Charlie Kirk.
At 19 years old, the Alabama native has been described as someone cut from the same cloth as the youthful and engaging slain apologist and political commentator – and even a possible successor, at least in style and passion.
Growing up in Tuscaloosa, Hollyhand began publishing a political newsletter when he was just 11 years old. That led to the launch of a YouTube channel when he was 12. He began interviewing political movers and shakers – including then Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy and Senator Ted Cruz of Texas.
When Hollyhand learned that Charlie Kirk was coming to Tuscaloosa for an event in 2018, he requested 10 minutes to interview him.
“I’ll give you 30 minutes,” Kirk responded to the youngster. A friendship was born.
Between then and Kirk’s assassination on September 10 in Utah, the two regularly exchanged texts and emails. Hollyhand has even described Charlie as “one of his closest friends in politics.”
In the aftermath of the horrific tragedy at Utah Valley University, Hollyhand has visited colleges calling for a return of civil political discourse.
Dubbing his efforts the “One Conversation at a Time” tour, the conservative Gen Zer was blunt while speaking to students at Clemson University.
“When our generation gets frustrated with politics, what do we do?” Hollyhand asked. “We shoot somebody or scream at somebody. We don’t know how to have a civil discourse.”
Teaching and preaching restraint and self-discipline, Hollyhand advocates for taking personal responsibility and countering the emotional escalation with a humble and controlled posture.
“Every single one of you have the opportunity to turn down the temperature,” he reminded students.
In a recent New York Times profile, Hollyhand was accused of unfairly leveraging his friendship with Charlie Kirk.
“There’s no way that I could have done this on my own,” he said. “The Lord opened these doors.”
A devout Christian, Hollyhand was wearing a “Jesus Saves” T-shirt while talking with students at Clemson. Unashamed and unapologetic, the teen has said that he’s a Christian first and a conservative second.
“Politics is temporary,” he recently posted. “Faith is eternal. Give your life to Jesus and trust Him. The best decision you’ll ever make!”
The growing influence and increasing reach of young voices like Brilyn Hollyhand should encourage those who have been praying and hoping for a younger generation to succeed those who have been engaging culture for decades.
“Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity,” wrote the Apostle Paul to Timothy (1 Tim. 4:12).
Charlie Kirk’s tragic death has devastated not only his immediate family, but also a movement hungry for youthful leadership.
Yet, the Lord has made it clear that He gives and takes away (Job 1:21) and what man intends for evil, He uses for good (Gen. 50:20). The coming years will demonstrate that the slain communicator and evangelist’s work and influence not only served the immediate moment but also sowed seeds that will produce fruit in the future.
Image credit: Brilyn Hollyhand.
