Scott Warren - Generation Citizen: The Power of Youth in Our Politics

Table of Contents

Just as an effective democracy is dependent on the cumulative efforts of so many individuals, so is a bookor so Ive continually learned throughout this entire process. Im incredibly grateful to so many who helped me in my first foray into writing and the many hiccups as I tried to write that more perfect book, knowing that a perfect book will always be an elusive dream. Im similarly thankful to all who have been part of the formation and growth of Generation Citizen. Both this book and the organization started purely as ideas and dreams, and they could not have become reality if so many did not believe in their importance and my idea to execute on them, perhaps more so than I believed in myself. A common theme throughout the Generation Citizen journey.

There are countless people to thank, and Ill be able to name only a few of them here. But know that every single person with whom Ive come into contact during my life of democratic discovery has contributed to a better book and to a better organization. And in turn, I hope, to a better country.

The first note of thanks goes to all of the young peoplethose who I interviewed for this book, and those who Generation Citizen is lucky enough to work with on an everyday basis. I am not sure I am still privileged enough to consider myself young (I often say that I am not as young as I used to be). That said, there is nothing more inspiring than when I have the opportunity to engage with the generation that is actively building a better democracy. Talking with young people is a hell of a lot more inspiring than reading the daily political news and observing the horse race in action.

The opportunity to step into classrooms, talk to our students, hear their skepticism, their cynicism, their hopes, and their passion, and see this manifested into reality and true political change gives me energy and hope every single day. The GC students profiled in this bookLaila, ANiya, Julian, Lexie, Carlaare wonderful exemplars of this dynamic. While the present of our democracy often seems dire, the opportunity to engage, and learn from, these young activists shows me that the future is a lot brighter than the present. ANiya and Julian also helped to provide comments and thoughts on early drafts.

Im also so grateful for all the youth activists and leaders I interviewed who are profiled in this book, and those who provided background. I am honored to help tell your stories. A special thank you to Themba Mzingwane: you have become a true friend, and your story inspires me every single day. I know you will be part of creating the new Zimbabwe you and your people do deserve.

While GC as an organization continues to grow, improve, and hopefully flourish, taking our aims, goals, lessons, and achievements into a book was a journey in itself that I was not necessarily prepared for. I owe a huge amount of gratitude to Lauren LeBlanc, who met with me when this was all an idea, pushed my thinking and my writing, and edited draft upon draft upon draft. This book would not have occurred without Laurens belief in the message and her ability to push me when I was tired of being pushed.

Dan Smetanka and the entire team at Counterpoint Press took a chance on me as a first-time author. Dan has spent countless hours talking me through the process of publishing, tightening this work, and calming my anxieties. Thank you for believing in this book. I am similarly appreciative of the rest of the team at Counterpoint for the incalculable edits, suggestions, and beautiful design work.

I wrote in this book about individuals receiving too much attention for change-making efforts and feel that the dynamic often occurs at Generation Citizen. I often receive too much of the credit for all the good work weve done. I wish I could thank every single person that has helped build the organizationknow that Im grateful. But to highlight a few: a huge thank-you to Anna Ninan, my cofounder. Without her belief in Generation Citizen, and her counsel at the beginning and now, the idea would have remained that. To Elizabeth Milligan, who helped to come up with this idea and got my hooked civcs education so long ago. To Molly Isenbargermy first true partner at GC, whose wisdom and patience helped to propel us from a start-up to a real organization. To Sarah Andes, whom I consider a true cofounder at this point: GC would not be GC without your belief in what we do, and the values you bring to the table every day. To Josh Solomon, who is a true servant leader in the best sense of the phrase, and has been an indispensable part of our recent growth. To Caitlin Paul, who has been such a wonderful thought partner and is such a truly good person. To Molly Cohen, who pushes me in every single conversation I have with her and helped provide edits to early drafts of this book. And to all of the other organizational leaders: Andrew Wilkes, DeNora Getachew, Arielle Jennings, Tom Kerr-Vanderslice, Siobhan Brewer, Amy Curran, and Meredith Norrisyou all make this organization work. And to every single person who has worked at GCthe belief that you all have in young people will make our democracy better.

We have been blessed with so many amazing supporters and a board of directors who believe in our mission and the power of young people. To all: thank you for believing in a better democracy. A special thank you to Mary Vascellaro, Lisa Issroff, and Kunal Modi, our successive board chairs, who have put up with me, pushed me, and made GC better. A special thanks also to David Flink, a board member and best friend who pushed me to think about this book when it was just an idea.

To Taylor: thank you for believing in me more than I believed in myself. For pushing me, every single day, to think about how to build that better democracy. Youve made me a better person.

To Mom and Dad: when we moved abroad, Im not sure how many times I told you that you had ruined my life. You know by now that is BS. I could not have asked for better and more supportive parents. Youve taught me everything I know. You believed in me, and my voice, when I was young, and for that, this book is for you.

Rashidah De Vore

SCOTT WARREN is the cofounder and chief executive officer of Generation Citizen. He has been named an Echoing Green Fellow, a Draper Richards Kaplan Fellow, and a Forbes 30 under 30 for Social Entrepreneurship. He has also been a social entrepreneur in residence at Brown University, and a social entrepreneur in residence at Tufts University. He is currently a democracy fellow at Brown University. Visit www.GenerationCitizen.org.

A s young people, our voices and actions can transform the conversation.

ANiya Bankstons voice blasted throughout the entire schoolyard at Oakland Technical High School. Cheers from the masses below echoed the words.

ANiya was speaking in front of more than five hundred students participating in a national walkout to advocate for gun reform in the wake of the deadly school shooting in Parkland, Florida. Students across the country were out of their schools, holding rallies and demanding action from their elected officials. ANiya was helping lead the charge in Oakland.

A steady Bay Area drizzle broke through the perpetual fog, threatening to turn into a heavier downpour and put a literal damper on the event. But umbrellas stayed downthe students were enraptured by the words in a way that few classes could accomplish.