Charlotte-Mecklenburg Youth Council

Be a civic leader!

Join the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Youth Council (CMYC), the official student advisory council for City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County governments, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council) and GenerationNation.

Through the CMYC, high school students meet regularly to advise CMS and community leaders, meet new friends from different schools and backgrounds, build civic leadership, and help to transform schools and the community for the better

All local high school students are eligible to participate.

CMYC is a partnership between youth, the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, and GenerationNation, and is chartered by the State of North Carolina.

CMYC Flyer

CMYC information

2024-25 Officers

  • Co-Presidents – Katie Eilers, Chase Howard, Zahara Mushinge, and Ailen De Bonis
  • District Presidents – Christopher Abreu and Anthony Korolos
  • VPs: April Alonso, Nitya Garg, and Samuel Gwin
  • 2025 Student Advisor: Lucy Silverstein

How to join CMYC

CMYC application

First, you will be added to the email list and can join the text list. After you attend a meeting you are part of CMYC! You are asked to meet attendance requirements to maintain active membership.

The youth council usually meets 2 times a month with additional civic leadership and learning opportunities available. 2024-25 meetings will be a mix of Zoom and in person meetings. In person meetings are usually held at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center, 600 E 4th Street 28202. When you sign up, you will receive info, directions, etc. for each meeting. Free CATS passes and carpool information available to assist students with transportation for in person meetings.

CMYC members who fulfill extended membership, leadership, and service requirements are eligible to join the leadership team.

Student Advisor to the School Board

The Student Advisor (SA) to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education is elected by students to serve a one-year term with the school board. The SA works closely with the elected Board of Education to ensure student ideas and perspectives are included in CMS policy and decision-making. The SA also serves as an officer of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Youth Council. The project was created by and is a partnership between Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, the school board, and GenerationNation.

Student Advisor information

Student Advisor website

Apply to be a candidate to be the next Student Advisor – application opens first day of school and closes on 9/20

CMYC projects

In addition to being advisors to the CMS Superintendent, Cabinet, and Board of Education, and the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County elected and public officials, CMYC projects include CMS Student Advisor, advising community and state leaders, advising national and international leaders, Charlotte Youth Service Advisory committee, CMPD Chief’s Youth Advisory Committee, serving on National League of Cities Youth Delegate Planning Committee, being part of NC State Youth Council, planning and leading Youth Lead and Kids Lead, SGA Summits and grants, and more. Check out more info on @GenerationNation’s instagram.

Alumni

Alumni information and contact information update

We’ll be in touch periodically with information about alumni socials, youth mentoring, and leadership opportunities including the GenerationNation Alumni Council