Generation Citizen Announces New Board Members

NEW YORK – Generation Citizen (GC) announced four new national  board members today, including three GC alumni, whose experience and perspectives will strengthen GC’s equitable, youth-centered leadership. 

Dr. Marjorie Innocent, Director of Learning and Impact at the NAACP, joins the GC Board with more than 20 years of experience in leadership education, community outreach and health policy. 

“When we elevate youth and other marginalized voices, we enrich our democracy,” said Innocent. “I am thrilled to join GC’s board and contribute to a vision of democracy that is truly participatory, equitable, and empowering. ”

Dr. Innocent is joined by Fallon Manyika, a GC alum whose class focused on the opioid epidemic. A former Community Change Fellow and GC Student Leadership Board member, Manyika is currently attending Salem State University. 

“As a board member at Generation Citizen, I want to be able to create more equitable resources for young people to be a part of the political discourse and be functional members of their community,” Manyika said. “All people, regardless of race, class or age, should feel like they can participate in our democracy, and I’m excited to help bring us closer to that reality.” 

Fellow new board member Ishrat Jahan’s civics class provided her with a platform to advocate for issues affecting her community, particularly gentrification and homelessness, which inspired her to write an op-ed on the issue. Also a former Community Change Fellow and GC Student Leadership Board member, Jahan is currently attending New York University and serves as an Advisory Board Member for the 50×2026 campaign. 

“Participating in a Generation Citizen class helped me understand what I can do to advocate for change, and why students should be more involved in community decision making,” said Jahan. “As young people, our voice matters, and I’m excited to create opportunities for students like the ones GC gave me.”

University of Oklahoma student Savannah Slayton also joins the board as GC alum. Slayton previously served on GC’s Student Editorial Board, during which she penned an op-ed for The Oklahoman on the challenges facing her state’s education system. 

“As students, we are directly impacted by the decisions our leaders make. We deserve a seat at any table where these decisions are being made,” Slayton said. “As a member of GC’s Board, I’m looking forward to creating more opportunities to empower young people to use their voices and participate fully in our democracy.”

“We’re excited to expand our board with four new members who will bring diverse expertise and insight to our work,” said Generation Citizen CEO Elizabeth Clay Roy. “We have worked diligently to ensure GC’s board and leadership represents not only experience and expertise in education, but is centered in the communities we serve. Our newest board members are no exception.”

Learn more about GC’s  board and read member bios here.