In the aftermath of the divisive 2020 presidential election, PBS NewsHour and Student Reporting Labs (SRL) aired We the Young People, a half-hour virtual special highlighting the impact of young voters. The show featured teen voices, and conversations with experts focusing on issues that affect young people.

In this video, NewsHour correspondent Amna Nawaz talks to three young activists on the frontlines of civic engagement about how they are working in their own way on the issues that matter most to them, including gun violence, climate change and education equity. 

Andrea Gonzales is from New York. She’s 20 years old, and an advocate with the organization youth over guns. She’s also working towards a social justice and child advocacy degree at the city university of new york. 

Benji Backer is based in seattle. He’s 23 years old and the founder and president of the american conservation coalition. benji recently graduated from the university of washington, and now serves on the leadership council for the wisconsin conservative energy forum. 

Alliyah Logan is 18 and from the bronx. Her advocacy focuses on community safety, education equity, and gender equality. She is currently a UNICEF youth advocate and a freshman at Smith College. 

Use the video and discussion questions to learn about activism and grassroots organizing. 

Hosted by Amna Nawaz, senior national correspondent and primary substitute anchor for the PBS NewsHour. The event also included PBS NewsHour White House Correspondent Yamiche Alcindor, newly-elected young officials — including New Hampshire State Rep. Tony Branch, 19; Kansas State Rep. Kristen O’Shea, 28; Michigan State Rep Abraham Aiyash, 26 – teen fact checkers from Poynter’s MediaWise program and student reporters from across the country.