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.​

@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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🙌🏽 Many thanks to creative geniuses Brandon, Kelly, Victor, and Justin, who volunteered their time and talents for an ENTIRE beautiful Saturday to help GenerationNation! We can’t wait to share more soon about the design, words, and brand and digital strategies this amazing team put together for GenerationNation. What an incredible honor to join 10 other nonprofits and a building full of creative makers for @makeforgoodclt 2026 at @sparkhouseclt @dogreater. Many thanks to all involved in this wonderful experience that’s focused on making good to make change possible.
4 days ago

🙌🏽 Many thanks to creative geniuses Brandon, Kelly, Victor, and Justin, who volunteered their time...

Meet the candidates and vote before 11:59PM on Election Day (tomorrow, Tuesday Nov 3)! Ten CMS students are running to be the next Student Advisor to the CMS school board. Get informed about the candidates - more info linked on the ballot - and make your voice heard!
1 week ago

Meet the candidates and vote before 11:59PM on Election Day (tomorrow, Tuesday Nov 3)! Ten...

Meet Gabi, a junior at Phillip O. Berry. She is running to be the next CMS Student Advisor! Gabi wants to be Student Advisor because she will be able to make an impact within schools. She says she believes schools should be a safe space for kids of all genders, races, and learning disabilities, and hopes this inclusivity will increase students’ confidence and will encourage others to express themselves in ways that promote productive learning.  “All K-12 schools should always be preparing students for the future and the next step after completing their current grade level. In my opinion, we should push to help seniors more throughout their college process, as it is a stressful year. I believe Seniors should be blessed with numerous opportunities, including jobs and/or college. I strongly want to advocate for all individuals.” 🗳️ CMS HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS: YOUR VOICE MATTERS! Did you know CMS is one of the only school districts in the country with a student representative to the Board of Education elected by a distrrictwide student vote? Here’s your chance to make your voice heard! The Student Advisor serves a one year term representing YOU at CMS school board meetings. 🗳️ Voting is open now through Election Day, November 3 🔗 CMS high school students, click the link in bio to vote or go to tinyurl.com/votecms2026 ✅ The Student Advisor program is a partnership between @cmsboard @charmeckschools @generationnation
2 weeks ago

Meet Gabi, a junior at Phillip O. Berry. She is running to be the next...

🗳️ Students vote! GenerationNation’s student election program - “Kids Voting” - helps K-12 students to build civic literacy and take informed civic action through real-world learning connected to Election 2026, the CMS school board, and local, state, and federal government! The student vote ends on Election Day (November 3) 2026. Students, make your voices heard, build your voting muscles 💪🏽, and weigh in on real races on this year’s ballot, including US Senate, NC’s constitutional amendments, the City of Charlotte bond referendum, and CMS Student Advisor. It isn’t just a mock vote for CMS high school students, you vote to elect the Student Advisor 🗣️who serves a year as YOUR own representative to the school board! ✅ Find nonpartisan civics teaching resources and mock elections ballots at GenerationNation.org
2 weeks ago

🗳️ Students vote! GenerationNation’s student election program - “Kids Voting” - helps K-12 students to...

Meet Taleya, a sophomore at Mallard Creek. She is running to be the next CMS Student Advisor! Taleya wants to be Student Advisor because she believes policies are most effective when shaped by the people they impact most: the students. She says board decisions directly shape the daily school environment, academic options, and well-being. However, there is often a gap between administration goals and classroom realities. She wants to close that gap. “I am eager to listen to my peers across the district, gather honest feedback, and bring those diverse voices directly to the board. I will ensure that when student success is discussed, they hear directly from someone living through the system every day to advocate for a more supportive, engaging, and fair educational experience for everyone in CMS.” 🗳️ CMS HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS: YOUR VOICE MATTERS! Did you know CMS is one of the only school districts in the country with a student representative to the Board of Education elected by a districtwide student vote? Here’s your chance to make your voice heard! The Student Advisor serves a one year term representing YOU at CMS school board meetings. 🗳️ Voting is open now through Election Day, November 3 🔗 CMS high school students, click the link in bio to vote or go to tinyurl.com/votecms2026 ✅ The Student Advisor program is a partnership between @cmsboard @charmeckschools @generationnation
2 weeks ago

Meet Taleya, a sophomore at Mallard Creek. She is running to be the next CMS...

Meet Avery, a junior at Myers Park. She is running to be the next CMS Student Advisor! Avery wants to be Student Advisor because she believes students should have a voice in the decisions that directly affect their education. “I love being involved in my school and community, and I want to take that involvement beyond Myers Park and represent students across CMS. I understand that this position is a significant responsibility, and I would be committed to listening to students, building relationships, and bringing their ideas and concerns to the Board.“ 🗳️ CMS HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS: YOUR VOICE MATTERS! Did you know CMS is one of the only school districts in the country with a student representative to the Board of Education elected by a districtwide student vote? Here’s your chance to make your voice heard! The Student Advisor serves a one year term representing YOU at CMS school board meetings. 🗳️ Voting is open now through Election Day, November 3 🔗 CMS high school students, click the link in bio to vote or go to tinyurl.com/votecms2026 ✅ The Student Advisor program is a partnership between @cmsboard @charmeckschools @generationnation
2 weeks ago

Meet Avery, a junior at Myers Park. She is running to be the next CMS...

Meet Achuyta, a sophomore at CEEC. He is running to be the next CMS Student Advisor! Achyuta wants to be Student Advisor because he is not the kind of person who waits for solutions to be handed over to him. He takes action to solve issues, not ignore them. “I would like to see more tutoring programs offered throughout the district, stronger collaboration between the CMS schools and universities, as well as better communication between the Board and students of the ignored communities. “ 🗳️ CMS HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS: YOUR VOICE MATTERS! Did you know CMS is one of the only school districts in the country with a student representative to the Board of Education elected by a districtwide student vote? Here’s your chance to make your voice heard! The Student Advisor serves a one year term representing YOU at CMS school board meetings. 🗳️ Voting is open now through Election Day, November 3 🔗 CMS high school students, click the link in bio to vote or go to tinyurl.com/votecms2026 ✅ The Student Advisor program is a partnership between @cmsboard @charmeckschools @generationnation
2 weeks ago

Meet Achuyta, a sophomore at CEEC. He is running to be the next CMS Student...

Meet Cullen, a junior at Independence. He is running to be the next CMS Student Advisor! Cullen wants to be Student Advisor because he wants to give voice to students and help school leaders to better understand what students are actually thinking and experiencing. “One of the most frustrating experiences or feelings a person can have is the feeling of being annoyed or not having a loud enough voice to be heard. After learning more about this position, I have found out that’s exactly the problem I would solve.“ 🗳️ CMS HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS: YOUR VOICE MATTERS! Did you know CMS is one of the only school districts in the country with a student representative to the Board of Education elected by a districtwide student vote? Here’s your chance to make your voice heard! The Student Advisor serves a one year term representing YOU at CMS school board meetings. 🗳️ Voting is open now through Election Day, November 3 🔗 CMS high school students, click the link in bio to vote or go to tinyurl.com/votecms2026 ✅ The Student Advisor program is a partnership between @cmsboard @charmeckschools @generationnation
2 weeks ago

Meet Cullen, a junior at Independence. He is running to be the next CMS Student...

🙌🏽 What an incredible job by @charmeckschools students Ava, Luka, McKinley, Sai, and Tomar, who presented about the @cityofhobbies project last week! They shared about the work of 30 local high school students who conducted research about hobbies and teen spaces this summer, trained on real research processes by UNC Charlotte Urban Institute and Danish public life design agency Gehl. In addition to the youth-led research findings, Dr Mecca Howe of UNC Charlotte Urban Institute presented results of a survey of 18,450 Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools students in grades 5-13 about youth hobbies - one of the largest (if not the largest) youth hobbies surveys in the US. ⚽️ 🎨 🎺 Learn about City of Hobbies and see research insights at cityofhobbies.org. Students ages 13+ and families can also apply on the website for a hobbies microgrant through Oct 28. This is just the beginning! If you would like to get involved as this work continues to move forward, let us know! 💫 Many thanks to @gambrellfdn for supporting City of Hobbies and to all of the Youth Fellows and partners @cmlibrary @clturbandesign @cischarlotte @dogreater @gehlpeople @generationnation @meckparkrec @mbkcltmeck @studiolaitio @clturbaninstitute
2 weeks ago

🙌🏽 What an incredible job by @charmeckschools students Ava, Luka, McKinley, Sai, and Tomar, who...

🇬🇧👋🏽🇺🇸 Excited to kick off year 2 of Voices Across Borders today! Voices Across Borders is an innovative international relations program bridging the gap between teens in Charlotte, North Carolina, and their peers at Eastbury Community School in Barking, a community in East London, United Kingdom. This morning, the youth-led discussion covered a wide range of topics including how US teens get jobs, differences in schools and transportation options in the different countries, how students manage time and prioritize extracurricular activities, and more. Through regular virtual collaboration, learning, and a potential future in-person exchange, this initiative equips the next generation with global perspective, leadership skills, and cultural competence required to thrive in a highly interconnected global economy. 🙌🏽 all the youth who participated on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, and to @jc_cougars senior @vote4ericc Eric who designed the program logo. Voices Across Borders is a partnership between City of Charlotte Office of Youth Opportunities @charlotte_youth, Eastbury Community School @eastburycommunity, and @generationnation .
3 weeks ago

🇬🇧👋🏽🇺🇸 Excited to kick off year 2 of Voices Across Borders today! Voices Across Borders...