These Young Leaders Prove America’s ‘Wait Your Turn’ Political Era Is Dead

Young folks’ response to the slow-motion crawl of American politics has been to step up to the table and make their own plate. In 2025, Gen Z and Millennial leaders have been exploding onto the political scene, and given President Donald Trump’s second term, there’s been a demand for more fresh faces and new ideas in formal government.

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That’s why The Root has gathered a list of some of the many rising stars across the country– many of whom are Black. From folks like N.Y. Councilman Chi Ossé  and Kahlil Greene all the way to Fla. Rep. Maxwell Frost and Tennessee Rep. Justin J. Pearson, these young voices are undoubtably the future of politics… so it’s time we all start learning their names and remembering their policies.

N.Y. Councilman Chi Ossé 

You’ve probably seen his face on social media! N.Y. Councilman Chi Ossé is one of the many fresh voices in New York City politics. He’s a self identified socialist with views aimed at addressing affordability and housing.

NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani

N.Y. mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani won over the hearts and spirits of millions of Americans in his state and even more around the country. The Democratic socialist represents a new age of Democratic leadership — one in which social media plays just as much of a part as actually speaking with everyday people and coming up with policy to address their concerns.

Tennessee Rep. Justin Jones

Tenn. Rep. Justin Jones is perhaps one of the most fearless people in Tennessee politics. He was one of only three state representatives who stood up to protest against gun violence. Six people — including three children — were killed in a shooting at Nashville’s Covenant School in 2023, according to WKRN. In response, he was expelled from his position. He’s since been reinstated.

Wisconsin Rep. Darrin Madison Jr.

Milwaukee native Darrin Madison, Jr. began his tenure in the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2023. The Howard University graduate lost his first bid for office back in 2021 by only 12 votes, according to his bio. After that, Madison began working for the African American Roundtable as their Democracy Organizer. He went on the win his assembly seat after campaigning on environmental issues.

Georgia Rep. Bryce Berry

Bryce Berry, Georgia’s youngest state representative, was elected just last year. As a former teacher and now politician, Berry is working towards being a bridge between worlds, focusing on affordability, healthcare and gun violence, according to his website. He defeated incumbent Republican candidate Mesha Mainor.

Kahlil Greene

Kahlil Greene might not be a politician, but the Gen Z star is already making waves in American politics. Folks online know him as the Gen Z Historian. He’s been nominated for two Emmy awards and even won a Peabody Award for his educational entertainment, according to his bio.

Alabama Rep. Shomari Figures

Alabama Rep. Shomari Figures has been one of the most vocal in his state against Trump. What’s more is that Figures has taken proud stance against the anti-DEI campaign and the GOP-led redistricting effort.

Ohio State Rep. Munira Abdullahi

Ohio Rep. Munira Yasin Abdullahi worked as a paralegal and community activist before she was elected to represent Ohio’s District 9 in 2022. She first won the primary in August then ran unopposed in the November 2022 general election. She is one of only two Somali-American representatives in her state.

Arkansas Mayor Jaylen Smith

At age 18, Jaylen Smith made history when he became the youngest Black mayor in U.S. history and in the city of Earle, Ark. Now at 21 years old, Smith is still focused on bringing his city to the future. “I spend less time in the office and more out in the field,” he told ABC 7.

N.Y. Assemblyman Jordan Wright

Assembly Member Jordan Wright is also the son of respected N.Y. Democrat Keith L. T. Wright. In 2023, the young politician managed the campaign of Exonerated Five member Yusef Salaam and eventually became his chief of staff, according to his bio. Now, his focus is on affordable housing, healthcare access and public safety for the Harlem community.

Maine Rep. Mana Abdi

Maine Rep. Mana Abdi was born in Kenya to Somali parents. Her family came to the states when she was 11, according to her bio. Abdi has been an advocate against Trump’s targeting of Somali communities in Minnesota. She also serves on the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee.

Florida Rep. Maxwell Frost

Fla. Rep. Maxwell Frost became the first Gen Z member of Congress in 2023. He originally jumped into politics following the Sandy Hook school shooting in 2012. Now, Frost has seemingly mastered the balance between activism and policy.

Tennessee State Rep. Justin J. Pearson

Just one month after Justin J. Pearson was elected to serve in Tennessee’s state House he and two other Tennessee representatives were expelled from the House for leading and organizing protests connected to the shooting at Nashville’s Covenant School, the Tennessee Lookout reported. After being branded as one of the “Tennessee Three,” Pearson has been an integral force in his state. Now, he’s running for U.S. House of Representatives.