Young Futurists 2017

Who are the young, outspoken activists standing up for their communities and calling out injustice?

While a lot of teenagers are spending their time doing homework, talking on the phone, hanging with their friends at…

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…

Augusta Uwamanzu-Nna is dedicated to making sure the world’s infrastructure is solid as a rock.

Art saved Jonathan Wynn-Strachan’s life. In 2012, when he was a sophomore in high school, he and his family were…

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…

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…

Isaiah Cooper is already aiming to fly to higher heights. In 2016, at 16 years old, he made headlines when he became…

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…

Destiny Watford is the accidental environmental activist America needs right now. Her quest for clean air all…

There aren’t many kids who can say they’ve met first lady Michelle Obama once—let alone multiple times. For teen…

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…

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…

Shemar Coombs wants to add a few minutes to your day. After getting tired of untangling his headphones, he decided…