If history has taught us anything, it’s that young people will always lead the way. Whether it’s the young African-American activists marching in the streets to insist that black lives do matter or the students who hit the streets on #NationalWalkoutDay to demand changes to gun laws that will keep their schools safe,…
Who are the young, outspoken activists standing up for their communities and calling out injustice?
At The Root, we love to celebrate young people who are excelling beyond belief. Year after year, our list of Young Futurists reminds us that age really ain’t nothin’ but a number. That group of 15- to 22-year-olds always impresses us with their tenacity, passion and ability to turn big dreams into reality. Here, we…
While a lot of teenagers are spending their time doing homework, talking on the phone, hanging with their friends at the mall or making their latest Snapchat video, one 15-year-old has just inked a lucrative licensing deal with the NBA that could very well lead to his earning seven figures or more.
They are young, gifted and black.
Lauren Seroyer was eating a quick breakfast at school when she was inspired to start her nonprofit organization. A classmate approached her for some of her meal because he didn’t have enough to eat at home.
Augusta Uwamanzu-Nna is dedicated to making sure the world’s infrastructure is solid as a rock.
Whether singing, acting or clapping back on Twitter, Zendaya always finds a way to use her voice for good.
Pet owners often think of their dogs and cats as their kids. So when Scruffy or Fluffy is lost, it can wreak havoc on owners’ lives. Khareem Oliver has seen this firsthand.
A’Dorian Murray-Thomas has used her own experience with tragedy to help other young girls triumph over hard times.
Alanna Wall is determined to add a little polish and sparkle to the lives of hospitalized children and girls with special needs. Alanna founded Polished Girlz when she was just 10 years old after being turned down for several volunteer organizations because she was too young.
Isaiah Cooper is already aiming to fly to higher heights. In 2016, at 16 years old, he made headlines when he became one of the youngest black pilots to fly around the United States. The next mission? To make the Guinness World Records and become the youngest person to take a solo flight around the globe.
Toluwanimi Obiwole lets her poetry show her strength.
Even after tragedy struck Olivia Russo-Hood’s family, she started looking for ways to help others. After a massive flood in Austell, Ga., destroyed her family’s home, Olivia noticed how many people came to her family’s rescue. So she knew it was time to pay it forward.
Destiny Watford is the accidental environmental activist America needs right now. Her quest for clean air all started when she was a senior in high school after she saw a play about a small community whose lives were at risk because of a polluted hot spring.
There aren’t many kids who can say they’ve met first lady Michelle Obama once—let alone multiple times. For teen chef Haile Thomas, meeting Obama has only empowered her quest to inspire kids to live healthy lifestyles.
Chris Suggs set himself on a path to change the world very early.
Nicole O’Dell talks as effortlessly about biotechnology as she would if she were talking about what she ate for dinner.
Dejah Powell is doing everything she can to green up the South Side of Chicago.
Clifton Kinnie wasn’t planning to be an activist. It wasn’t until he saw a picture of slain teen Michael Brown on his Twitter timeline that he decided he had to make a change in his St. Louis community—and beyond.
