DIY Civics with Baratunde Thurston
How can we create the democracy we deserve, one that works for all?
By Angely Montilla
Jun 18, 2026
When federal SNAP food benefits were cut in Birmingham, Alabama, affecting nearly 25,000 people, a teenager helped start a community garden, growing fresh and free produce for her neighbors. In the small town of Saint George, South Carolina, a 20-year-old convinced her town council to let her use a public building for free to bring healthy practices to her community. In Boulder, Colorado, a teenager helped his peers unplug from social media by getting them to take a break together. In Cleveland Heights, Ohio, a young leader made it easier for residents of his city to match their interests to candidates. And in Tallahassee, Florida, a student brought 200 people who disagree into the same room — on purpose.
Writer and comedian Baratunde Thurston sat down with Sofia, Nyra, Ben, Imre, and Ryan to hear how they’re addressing local problems and what the rest of us can learn from them. All five students are part of Carnegie Young Leaders for Civic Preparedness — a C&S program funded by the Andrew Carnegie Foundation that empowers young people ages 14–24 to create civic solutions in their communities.
Click to hear their answers
- Sofia: How is making sure that your neighbors can eat a first step in civic participation?
- Nyra: What happens when a 20-year-old asks to use a public building for free — and her town council says yes?
- Ben: Can a healthier relationship with social media start with your seven closest friends?
- Imre: How might a four-minute quiz change the way you vote in a local election?
- Ryan: What happens when you put 200 college students in a room to talk about abortion, guns, and government?
How is making sure that your neighbors can eat a first step in civic participation?
Sofia Nunez, Birmingham, AL
"The first step is making sure you're alive and you have food, water, shelter. If a community needs food first, that's still civic engagement."
Sofia Nunez
What happens when a 20-year-old asks to use a public building for free — and her town council says yes?
Nyra Govan, Saint George, SC
"Sometimes it's not about what the local government doesn't want to do... Everybody has to have a hand in helping build the community…."
Nyra Govan
Can a healthier relationship with social media start with your seven closest friends?
Ben Forman, Boulder, CO
"It's almost impossible to convince 400 individual teenagers to go offline. But if you can convince the entire football team… if you do it in community, it makes it a whole lot easier."
Ben Forman
How might a four-minute quiz change the way you vote in a local election?
Imre Huss, Cleveland Heights, OH
"At the local level, there's this ability to say, if you engage, that pothole on your road might be fixed because of the next mayor, the next city council member..."
Imre Huss
What happens when you put 200 college students in a room to talk about abortion, guns, and government?
Ryan Gans, Tallahassee, FL
