WASHINGTON, Jan. 19, 2021—The Power of Youth Challenge: Youth Leading Racial Healing empowers teens to design and lead service projects to promote racial equity and address systemic racism.

America’s Promise Alliance, a coalition working to spark collective action to overcome barriers that stand in the way of young people’s success, announced today that Mike O’Brien, former CEO of the national college success organization iMentor, has been named its new CEO. O’Brien brings deep experience in youth development, civic engagement, and education to the role.

Like many, I spent much of Wednesday afternoon transfixed by the coverage of the violent siege of the U.S. Capitol. I was consumed with sadness, anger, and fear.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – America’s Promise Alliance announced today 150 recipients of COVID-19 Response Grants as part of the Power of Youth Challenge—an initiative to provide young people who are making a difference in their communities with financial support and

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A report released today by The YES Project at America’s Promise Alliance provides key insights into young people’s conceptions of the changing employment landscape and what it means to be ready for, connected to, and supported within today’s world of work.

WASHINGTON – America’s Promise Alliance today named seven youth leaders to its governing boards, where they will serve as full decision-making members and help shape the direction of the organization. Three youth leaders will be serving on the Board of Directors, and four will serve as Trustees.

WASHINGTON, D.C – New data show that pre-COVID-19, the nation’s high school graduation rate was at an all-time high—driven by substantial gains over the past decade among low-income, Black, and Hispanic students as well as students with disabilities. These, however, are among the very populations most affected by COVID-19, its disruptions to schooling, and the nation’s on-going struggles with systematic racism.

A nationally representative survey of 3,300 America high school students shows that fewer than half are experiencing the supportive conditions that are linked to engagement and learning in school and out-of-school time settings.

As we grapple with the recent violence in Wisconsin, America’s Promise and The 74 Million held a Youth Town Hall to hear the perspectives and advice of young people during this important moment in our history. In that conversation, Shanyce, a high school senior from Staten Island, NY, said something that is particularly relevant in this moment: "This can’t be just politics—this is the reality that I come home to. We can’t brush it off and say ‘it happens’–schools should have open conversations about this, because it’s not going away.”

The report and companion guide, based on interviews with more than 100 youth across the country, offer action steps for engaging young people in conversation and change.