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Breaking Barriers and Sparking Solutions: Youth Delegates Turn Vision into Action

Center for Rising Generations at the Aspen Institute Awards Seed Grants to Young Leaders to Launch Community Projects

Washington, D.C., September 15, 2025 – After a summer of collaboration, innovation, and mentorship, the Center for Rising Generations (CRG) is excited to announce eight youth delegates from the inaugural Rising Generations Summit who will each receive $5,000 in seed funding to bring their groundbreaking community projects to life.

From 125 attendees, 60 project submissions, and 15 powerful finalists, these eight youth leaders rose to the top, representing seven different states, a wide range of policy issues, and a breadth of lived experiences. Their projects showcase what happens when young people are empowered to lead with curiosity and determination:

  • Ana Fernandez Acuna (AZ): Cradle to Career Youth Leadership Table (CYLT) – Closing the opportunity gap for youth through coalition-building.
  • Carter Bennet (ME): Gamechangers – Addressing the rise of online youth gambling.
  • Emily Brubaker (AK): BioGlitter Initiative – Replacing microplastics with sustainable alternatives.
  • Emmie Wolf-Dubin (TN): State of the Students – Building grassroots organizing resources for students.
  • Ankita Kumar (MN): School Board Spotlight – Elevating youth voice in local elections.
  • Katherine Nguyen (MO): AANHPI Health Advocacy Organization – Championing access to healthcare resources for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities.
  • Lucia Xiao (NY): Bridgen – Bridging the digital and social divide between generations.
  • Russel Zhang (NY): (AI)trophy for the Younger Generation – Teaching 12-18 year olds how to use AI responsibly.

“These projects are proof that when young people are given the tools, trust, platform, and space to lead, they get to work building a better world,” said Kaya Henderson, Executive Vice President and Executive Director of the Center for Rising Generations. “Each young leader reminds us that the problems we face aren’t abstract for them. They are urgent and lived realities. What they’ve built is inspiring, practical, and deeply needed.”

Every single project submission showed promise for the future. All youth who submitted proposals will receive a digital badge recognizing their work. Youth receiving funding awards and all finalists will also be invited to engage with CRG mentors and partners for ongoing coaching and leadership support. Together, all project submittors will form the foundation of CRG’s youth network, gaining access to continued opportunities to learn, connect, and lead.

The Rising Generations Summit, held in June 2025, brought together 125 youth delegates and more than 50 mentors from across the country. Over the summer, young people worked side by side with peer mentors to refine their project proposal, demonstrating innovation, collaboration, and drive that define this generation’s leadership.

With these seed grants, CRG is fueling a movement where youth voice drives solutions, shapes policy, and redefines leadership for the future.

About the Center for Rising Generations at the Aspen Institute

The Center for Rising Generations (CRG) is dedicated to empowering the next generation of leaders through civil dialogue, civic engagement, and leadership development. CRG amplifies the voices of young people and supports them with the tools, resources, and networks to lead change on their own terms. To learn more about the Center for Rising Generations and to get involved, visit www.risinggenerations.org.

The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization whose purpose is to ignite human potential to build understanding and create new possibilities for a better world. Founded in 1949, the Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve society’s greatest challenges. It is headquartered in Washington, DC and has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, as well as an international network of partners. For more information, visit www.aspeninstitute.org.