The Power Of Young Leaders in Lexington & Toledo

July 2025 & October 2025

Cities United’s Focus on Young Leaders

The power of young leaders has changed the tides for almost every major social movement. From affecting policy to shifting narrative, young leaders in every generation challenged the status quo that resulted in new ideas.  Youth voice is one of the most important values for Cities United and we have put that value into action since our very first National Convening in New Orleans over a decade ago. As Millennials grew into their leadership, Cities United convened a number of them in Seattle to spark the Young Leader Fellowship. Gen Z, faced with an epidemic and social uprisings, grew resilient through the four iterations of the Fellowship. Cities United, during the Leading the Way Tour, expanded the engagement with young leaders - taking it to jurisdictions themselves.  

Young Leaders: Leading the Way

In Lexington, KY young leaders brought their lived experiences to discuss life in their city from assets to barriers. The inspiration for their participation came in the form of their parents or from a beloved mentor, One Lexington’s Devine Carama. They expressed a desire to change in partnership with older adults and not decades later. Their passion for engagement illustrates the desire to add new thoughts to the “All Hearts on Deck” strategic plan. The young leaders saw those ten-twelves older as the bridge generation for outreach that will result in more engagement. Lectures they do not want. What they do want is the pathway and development to be their own changemakers. 

‍“If you want us to lead, let us build with you, not after you.” — Young leader, Young Leader Collective Workshop, Lexington

In Toledo, OH, young leaders gathered to discuss what makes their city unique and the changes they see—while also reflecting on what changes are necessary for their generation. Toledo being a boxing town (as they described it) only solidifies their willingness to fight for their destiny. A young leader, Avery, stood out in the conversation as he spoke about how the media portrays young Black life. Avery’s statement resulted in a commitment from the MONSE (Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement) to begin conversations about the narrative in the city's communications strategy and with local media as a whole.

A highlight for the MONSE team is their commitment to and investment in young violence interrupters, with several on their staff full time (two of whom are blood brothers). One of the brothers (Brysen)  actually practiced violence interruption in real time during the Young Leader Collective meeting. After a break, two young leaders with an existing conflict worked through their differences immediately with Brysen’s facilitation. His presence as both a peer and a violence interrupter is evidence of Toledo’s inclusion of young leaders in their ecosystem and the clarion call of a generation ready to take things to the next level.

“Young people aren’t waiting to be included—they’re already leading.”- Toledo Ecosystem Partner 

Committed to Young Leadership 

At each tour stop, Cities United intentionally partners with a jurisdiction to engage with young leaders and to compensate them for their time and expertise. These conversations are powerful, thought provoking and often the most reflective of each tour stop. Young people harness the energy and ingenuity needed to drive new systems of public safety- we just need to let them Lead the Way.