Generation Citizen

About

In 2010, Scott Warren, then a Brown University student, founded Generation Citizen with a powerful insight: civics education in America was failing young people, particularly those in underserved communities. After witnessing democratic struggles around the world and organizing divestment campaigns in college, Warren recognized that traditional civics instruction wasn't preparing students to participate effectively in democracy. He launched Generation Citizen to transform how civics is taught through an innovative 'Action Civics' approach that empowers students to identify community problems and work collectively to solve them. Today, Generation Citizen has evolved into a national movement that has reached over 250,000 students across 13 states, partnering with school districts to deliver equity-centered, community-based civic education. The organization addresses the 'Civic Engagement Gap' by prioritizing low-income communities and communities of color, ensuring all young people develop the knowledge, skills, and motivation to become active citizens. Under CEO Elizabeth Clay Roy's leadership, Generation Citizen continues to expand its impact through teacher training, youth leadership development, legislative advocacy, and coalition building - working toward a vision of a more just, participatory, and inclusive democracy where young people lead the charge for systemic change.