The Future of Activism: How These Youth Leaders Are Making Strides

By Yerimiah Evans

Where Advocacy Begins

Every great movement was carried by the youth. From Marion Barry to Greta Thunberg, young activists have time and time again shown their resolve and hope through their actions. Today, thanks to the advent of social media, youth activism has blossomed into an industry, one evolving and adapting every day. Black youth in particular have been taking the field by storm, showing a savvy for new social media-based advocacy and classic boots-on-the-ground outreach.

But this responsibility doesn't fall to just anyone. Reaching a perpetually indecisive audience across multiple platforms while navigating opaque, ever-changing algorithms demands both skill and a deep commitment to community. More than that, these creators are often the only Black voice in the room, carrying not only their movement, but the weight of representing and uplifting their broader community.

Here's a look at some youth activists who are ready to lead the charge:

Kayla Davis

Kayla Davis is a rising fourth-year political science scholar at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee. A proud Rattler and member of FAMU's chapter of the NAACP, she brings remarkable professionalism and poise to her advocacy. Through her work with multiple organizations, Davis has helped advance efforts to create a better future for the Sunshine State.

To her, being a Black voice in underrepresented spaces is the most crucial part of her work. "It feels as though I am speaking not only for myself but also ensuring that the experiences, concerns, and perspectives of Black communities are heard and considered," Davis said.

K'Miles Davis

A health education major on the Pre-Physical Therapy track at Morgan State University, K'Miles Davis is a rising star on his campus in both advocacy and mentoring spaces. Davis shows great pride in his efforts and works toward engagement and opportunity for all students at Morgan State. "Whether through mentoring programs, voter engagement initiatives, or community service projects, seeing students become more involved, informed, and confident in their ability to create change has been a blessing," Davis said.

Along with social media, Davis believes personal interactions are the most crucial part of his advocacy. "While digital platforms help spread information quickly, I believe personal connections are often the most effective way to engage people and inspire action," Davis said.

Despite the rise of the medium, Davis sees social media as a supplement to boots-on-the-ground organizing rather than a replacement. "As technology continues to evolve, I think organizers will increasingly use digital storytelling, data analytics, and online community-building to engage supporters while still emphasizing in-person relationship building."

Gabrielle Jean-Jacques

Gabrielle Jean-Jacques is the Juvenile Justice Chair of the UCF chapter of the NAACP and a proud advocate for the Orlando community. She works tirelessly to advocate for the betterment of Black and Brown people and sees her community as a necessary part of all advocacy movements. "Being Black in advocacy spaces means carrying forward a powerful legacy while creating opportunities for future generations," Gabrielle Jean-Jacques said. "[It] means representing a wide range of cultures and diasporas while recognizing the shared experiences that connect us."

Through her time with her chapter of the NAACP, she's learned to create and manage civic engagement events and social media efforts, but above all, the NAACP has strengthened her ideals. "Most importantly, the NAACP has reinforced my commitment to amplifying young Black voices in every space I enter," Jean-Jacques said. "It has prepared me to remain informed and continue advocating for greater representation, equity, and opportunity for future generations."

The Next Generation of Advocacy

Stories and experiences inspire us all to look at our ideals and advocate for what we believe in, but effective advocacy is taught and refined. Every one of these student advocates works and learns in their local NAACP chapters to better themselves and their communities. They're equipped with the tools, knowledge, and fellowship required to carry a movement and fight for a future we all believe in.

The ultimate test for them is going to be cutting through the noise. Real passion and skill are needed to balance social media with in-person advocacy, and activists like Kayla, K'Miles, and Gabrielle are doing exactly that. "While traditional forms of organizing are important, social media has created new opportunities to educate individuals at a scale that was previously impossible," Jean-Jacques said. "The future of organizing will be defined by how effectively we can turn online engagement into real-world action."

Yerimiah is a junior political science honors scholar at Florida A&M University and a member of the NAACP FAMU chapter.