The United States stands at a crossroad echoing the transformative spirit of the 1960s and 70s – a time when youth activism powered the Civil Rights, Women’s, and Gay Liberation Movements. Today, we face a similar moment in our nation’s history and it’s more important than ever for young people to step forward and lead. For over two decades, I have been teaching and mentoring young people, as a mother, professor, advisor, teacher, mentor, and sponsor. As the Executive Director and Co-Founder of the WORTH Foundation – a nonprofit that provides civic education and leadership training – I facilitated the Civic Education and Leadership Academy at Columbus Alternative High School to help students understand democratic concepts, principles, and values that are integral to a civil society. Through the program students learned how to define their personal values and identify issues that were important to them. They also learned about the power of collective action and how to organize and mobilize their peers around a common issue to create transformative change. I was inspired by their activism which resulted in $1.5 million in renovations to their school building.

As a member of the Columbus Board of Education – Ohio’s largest school district with 47,000 students – I am continually inspired by student activism. Everyday I witness firsthand the role that young people play in shaping our future. From advocating for accessible bathrooms to high-quality curriculum and instruction, young people can and do drive lasting change in policies, practices, and lives. Students send me emails, approach me at community and district events to share ideas for improving the student experience in their buildings and throughout the district. They highlight their values and convey a genuine and authentic commitment to their communities and neighborhoods. Our students understand a very fundamental element of our society – all politics is local – local concerns are important motivators for voters. Local politics start with relationships, with shared common values and interests. When courageous students write their own testimony and deliver it before our Board during a public meeting, my heart jumps, my face beams, and I am again inspired by students using their voice to create change.

To the students reading this, I challenge you to seize every opportunity to become an active participant in politics. I challenge you to apply for leadership positions. From advocacy groups in your schools to organizations in your communities, run for leadership opportunities, join grassroots organizations, advocate for issues through appointed and elected officials. Your ideas and actions will be the foundation of transformative change in our country.  Transformative change that centers the humanity of all people – change that establishes universal access to resources, opportunities, and dignified treatment for every individual.

The challenges we face today – from systematic inequalities to shifting economic landscapes – demand a new generation of leaders who are willing to stand up and advocate for a future that is just, inclusive, and forward thinking. We can no longer allow the politics of identity to divide us. When we focus on one aspect of identity – be it gender, race, religion, etc. – we fail to acknowledge the interplay and complexity of multiple aspects that make individuals unique. To close the gender gap and destroy “isms” (forms of prejudice and discrimination) we need to challenge all the systems, laws, policies, and practices that impede the success of anyone. We need to come together with the understanding that local concerns motivate people to be politically engaged so that we can acknowledge and value the lived experience of marginalized and historically excluded identities, and communities.

Students, your voice can ignite progress in ways that honor the legacy of past social movements while charting a new course for our country. At a time when the future of our democracy is being reimagined, don’t wait for change to come from the top down, instead create the change yourself. Stand up, speak out, and lead. The journey to a more equitable and inclusive America begins with you.