Written from the shared perspectives of Elizabeth “Liz” Clay Roy (Generation Citizen CEO), Wilfred Chirinos (Generation Citizen Manager of Policy & Advocacy), and Savannah Slayton (Generation Citizen Board of Trustees)
WILFRED: Walking into The Well in Baltimore, I felt a wave of imposter syndrome. Here I was, a young Emerging Leader surrounded by 500+ social change veterans, some of whom had been doing this work for as long as I’d been alive. But this gathering, focused on building a “MIC” (multi-racial, intergenerational, cross-sector community), quickly eased my anxieties. The end of a particularly tense election cycle had just passed, and questions about the future of our democracy were on everyone’s mind.
Over three days, I saw firsthand how Generation Citizen (GC) and other organizations are putting youth voice and intergenerational collaboration at the forefront of building a stronger, more inclusive democracy. Sharing GC’s mission and vision with other attendees – to expand and preserve access to community-based civics education – reaffirmed for me the crucial role young people play in shaping our future.
Amplifying Youth Voices
SAVANNAH: I had the honor of speaking on a plenary panel about the power of service alongside inspiring leaders like Michael D. Smith, CEO of AmeriCorps; Sarah Flammang, Maryland Deputy Secretary of Service and Civic Innovation; and Alise Marshall, Senior Director of Corporate Affairs & Social Impact at Pinterest. We explored how service can address community needs, enhance civic engagement, heal divides, and catalyze cross-sector collaboration. During the panel, I shared my personal journey, including the challenges I faced growing up as a mixed-race youth in the Oklahoma education system. These experiences fueled my passion for educational reform and advocacy and ultimately led me to GC.
A key moment for me was when Michael D. Smith emphasized that “service is not just something we do; it’s a way of life.” This resonated deeply because it reflects the core of what we do at GC. We empower young people to become active citizens, not just through knowledge but through action and lived experience.
My own “freedom dream” – to see a democracy that truly uplifts youth and honors the experiences of our ancestors – is only possible when young people are equipped to lead and serve.
From Transactional to Transformative
LIZ: I engaged in Big Picture Learning’s Leadership Journey at The Well, a powerful storytelling experience that allowed me to connect with colleagues and friends doing incredible work across the country. I was inspired by the discussion between Gov. Wes Moore (MD) and my former boss, Former Gov. Deval Patrick (MA), moderated by New Profit CEO Tulaine Montgomery.
We were fortunate to have a wonderful closing session led by Dr. Shawn Ginwright, author of The Four Pivots. His words on the need to shift from transactional to transformative relationships and from a focus on problems to a focus on possibilities deeply resonated with me.
At GC, we’re not just teaching civics by the book; we’re teaching it through and with community. We foster transformative relationships between students, educators, their neighbors, and elected officials. We guide young people to identify problems and create solutions, empowering them to become both problem-solvers and possibility creators.
The Power of Intergenerational Partnerships
WILFRED: As an Emerging Leader, connecting with established leaders like Liz and Savannah was invaluable. Hearing their stories and the wisdom they’ve gained through years of experience provided a sense of direction and possibility. The Emerging Leaders program itself was a testament to the power of intergenerational connection. Learning from other young people doing incredible work across the country was inspiring and motivating.
SAVANNAH: Intergenerational partnerships are key to building a more inclusive and representative democracy. The Well reinforced this for me. By bringing together people of all ages and backgrounds, we can learn from each other and create real change. This is something we strive for in our programs at GC, connecting students with community members and leaders to work together on issues they care about.
LIZ: In our Beyond Passing the Torch: Recommendations on Leveraging Age Diversity to Build a Stronger Democracy Now last year, we researched and wrote about effective intergenerational practices and saw that in action at The Well. It was intentional, reciprocal, and strengths-based and I look forward to the possibility for sustained engagement.
The Well 2024 was a powerful reminder that solving today’s challenges and building a better future requires us to foster intergenerational partnerships. Generation Citizen is committed to this vision.