GenerationNation

Developing a new generation of civic leaders who lead with purpose

Through GenerationNation, K-12 students learn first-hand how their governments and communities work; understand and play an active role in school and civic decision-making and co-creation; know how to find and use good sources of news and civic information; and, build social capital, knowledge, experience, and opportunity for leadership and success now and into college, career, and civic life.​

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@generationnation

GenerationNation

Building a new generation of civic leaders for Charlotte and beyond. K-12 civic literacy + civic leadership @GenerationNation @nc.civics

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Want to make YOUR voice heard on CMS policies as the 2027 Student Advisor to the school board? Apply to be a candidate before the deadline on Sunday night! If selected as a finalist and then win the districtwide student vote, you’ll be elected to serve in this incredible leadership role to represent 140,000 students in school board discussions and policy making. Build on the work done by Inchara, Lucy, Ailen, Juan, Breana, Gabe, Kendall, Tiana, and Saniye - and take it to the next level!! The Student Advisor program is a partnership between students, @cmsboard @charmeckschools @generationnation @cmsstudentadvisor Visit cmsk12.org/2027studentadvisor to learn more and apply!

Want to make YOUR voice heard on CMS policies as the 2027 Student Advisor to...

Tomorrow marks the 25th anniversary of September 11. Most of the young people serving and leading 9/11 Day of Service projects this week weren’t alive that day. But they’re choosing to remember by taking action. They’re leading. Volunteering. Raising awareness. Educating others. Giving their time, talents, and resources. Supporting peers and neighbors. Bringing communities together. And creating a stronger future. Youth may not remember September 11, but they are helping shape how it will be remembered. We’re honored to work alongside the young people, schools, nonprofits, local governments, and community leaders turning remembrance into service. Thank you to @youthservice, 9/11 Day, and @americorps for making this work possible. 🇺🇸

Tomorrow marks the 25th anniversary of September 11.

Most of the young people serving and...

“The future isn’t something that happens to us. It’s something that we build.” 🌳 Inspiring words from Mike Rizer, Executive Director of Corporate Citizenship at Ally Financial, who joined us at the GenerationNation Civic Leaders Breakfast to share his vision on leadership, community resilience, and opportunity with youth and community leaders. A few key takeaways: ✨ Believe in what’s possible: “Throughout history, every meaningful change has started with someone who believed that improvement was possible... Young people have the ability to see other ways.” 🌉 Connect and hold each other up: Drawing inspiration from California’s redwood trees, whose shallow, interconnected root systems allow them to withstand massive storms, Mike reminded us that “our strength comes not from our individual strength, but from our collective strength. None of us succeeds alone.” 🤝 Expand social capital: “Ask who’s not in the room and who should be. Who can we learn from?” 🚀 Choose to participate: “You don’t have to be a CEO or have a title to lead.” Thank you to Mike Rizer and everyone who joined us to invest in our future leaders and remind us that true progress happens when we build together. 🙌🏼 Great job by student leader Luka from brhswolves in introducing Mike Rizer!

“The future isn’t something that happens to us. It’s something that we build.” 🌳

Inspiring...

🌟”They showed me possibilities I did not know existed. That’s when I knew I needed to be the catalyst for my community.” At our Civic Leaders Breakfast, Dr. Raquishela Stewart of @cltgov @charlotte_youth shared her powerful journey of growing up in South Central Los Angeles, and how finding an organization like GenerationNation completely shifted and expanded her horizon. 💫 She shared that the development of young leaders is one of the most important investments that we can make. Leadership development begins with exposure. When young people get the mentorship, environment, and opportunities to lead projects, solve real problems, and serve, they discover possibilities they never knew existed. Thank you Dr. Stewart for your kind words about our work and for your partnership. We are proud to work with you in supporting the power of youth opportunities for Charlotte! 🙌🏾 Great job by student leader Bee in introducing Dr. Stewart!

🌟”They showed me possibilities I did not know existed. That’s when I knew I needed...

“You aren’t just the future leaders in this room. You are leaders already, making an impact right now.” 🌟 Many thanks to Charlotte City Council District 1 Representative @danteandersonclt for reminding everyone at the Civic Leaders Breakfast that young people are not simply preparing to lead some day: they are already making a difference today. Anderson celebrated the leadership, brilliance, and engagement of GenerationNation students, sharing how every opportunity to work alongside the youth leaves her inspired by what lies ahead for Charlotte: young people who are paying attention, staying engaged, and asking smart and tough questions.  Their voices, ideas, and leadership are an important part of the vision shaping our city today. 💫 🙌🏾 Great job by student leader Winny Gracy in introducing Councilmember Anderson!

“You aren’t just the future leaders in this room. You are leaders already, making an...

👋🏽 CMS sophomores & juniors: ready to represent thousands of students and make a positive impact across @charmeckschools? 🗣️📚 Apply to be a candidate to be the next Student Advisor to the @cmsboard! Applications are open TODAY through September 20. 🗓️ Apply now at tinyurl.com/cms2027studentadvisor 🔗 Link in bio!

👋🏽 CMS sophomores & juniors: ready to represent thousands of students and make a positive...

A morning filled with connection, conversation, and civic leadership! ☀️ GenerationNation’s Civic Leaders Breakfast brought student leaders and community leaders together to connect, share perspectives, and celebrate the power of positive, collaborative civic leadership. We’re grateful to everyone who helped make this inspiring morning possible and raise awareness and support for GenerationNation. Many thanks again to event speakers Dante Anderson, Raquishela Stewart, and Mike Rizer, joined by GenerationNation youth Aahana, Bee, Inchara, Luka, Samuel, and Winny Gracy, and board members Diane Gavarkavich, LaShaun Carter, and Ashleigh Fields. Thank you to our event sponsors: Foundation for the Carolinas, Nexstar Charitable Foundation, American Airlines, Brighthouse Financial, Charlotte Hornets, DTG Community Services, and Sunshine Media Network, and table sponsors: Paul Burley, LaShaun Carter, City of Charlotte Office of Youth Opportunities, Civic Impact Academy, Melissa Hovey, and Truliant Federal Credit Union. And big congratulations again to our 2026 Civic Leadership Award recipients: April Alonso, Morgan Winston, and Brad Panovich! 🎉 Thank you to everyone who showed up, connected, celebrated, and invested in a new generation of civic leaders. Powered by your support and energy, we’re excited to kick off an amazing and bright year! ✨

A morning filled with connection, conversation, and civic leadership! ☀️

GenerationNation’s Civic Leaders Breakfast brought...

What if the students who live it every day helped shape the future of Charlotte and CMS? 💫 That’s CMYC. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Youth Council (CMYC) brings high school students from across the community together throughout the year with school, government, and civic leaders to co-create the Charlotte and school district youth want and need. Last year, students tackled big issues that matter to them, from AI and teen third spaces to mental health, school and community safety, budgets, urban design, and CMS policies. CMYC is more than a council. It’s a place where young people: ✨ Play a real role in school and community decision-making 🗣️ Make student voices heard 🚀 Build leadership and professional skills 🏛️ Learn how their community works and engage in policy and school and civic leadership 💼 Explore careers and connect with leaders 🙌🏽 Build lasting friendships with students across Charlotte Best of all, it’s youth-powered. CMYC was co-created with students because young people shouldn’t just be asked what they think: youth should have a role in shaping what happens next. For school, civic, and community leaders, CMYC is a think tank of informed, engaged young people ready to take the lead. Are you a high school student who wants to help shape Charlotte and CMS? Your voice belongs at the table! ✅ Join CMYC: tinyurl.com/joincmyc (link in bio) CMYC is a partnership between youth, the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, and GenerationNation.

What if the students who live it every day helped shape the future of Charlotte...

Charlotte is being shaped by the young people who call it home. 💛 We love collaborating with and hearing from young civic leaders as they envision the activities, spaces, and support youth want and need in our community. This summer through next spring, Sofia, Jordoni, and Tomar and 26 other youth are serving as City of Hobbies Fellows, interviewing peers and observing spaces across Charlotte to better understand what helps young people find joy, purpose, and connection. This week, they presented insights to other youth and to the team of 11 nonprofit, public, and private partners working together to help all Charlotteans find a hobby that brings them joy and purpose. We’re listening to and learning from youth, and excited to share more from the youth-led research and more later this year! ✨ @gambrellfdn @clturbandesign @cmlibrary @cischarlotte @dogreater @gehlpeople @generationnation @meckparkrec @mbkcltmeck @studiolaitio @clturbaninstitute Learn more about the initiative at cityofhobbies.org

Charlotte is being shaped by the young people who call it home. 💛

We love...

✨ We’re proud to share GenerationNation’s 2025–26 Impact Report, a celebration of what’s possible when a community comes together to invest in young people and their leadership. Check out the full report linked in our bio. Together we: 💡 Created more opportunities for young people to lead 🗣️ Helped students build civic literacy and engage in school and community decision-making and co-creation 🌟 Supported thousands of students as they stepped up as problem-solvers and civic leaders ✅ Expanded our reach across Charlotte and North Carolina 🤝 Connected with more students and alumni Our students didn’t just learn about civic life and leadership. They lived it. As we look ahead to 2026–27 and beyond, our purpose remains clear: give every student the opportunity to be a civic leader. ⭐️Thank you for helping us to lead with purpose and building a brighter future, together.

✨ We’re proud to share GenerationNation’s 2025–26 Impact Report, a celebration of what’s possible when...