Page 17 - BEQ Magazine Iss 21 rev01072022

lives single-issue lives,” she says. board of directors. For our generation, it’s possible to
From a Gen Z perspective, McBride is truly a role follow a similar path to achieve our own goals.
model: she is the antithesis of a one trick pony. She Gen Z is the generation of reversal. If we don’t
works hard for what she believes in, is an ally to those agree with something, then we want it changed now.
in and outside her community and is not shying To some degree every generation revises, repeals or
away from making change. During my interview with rejects the ideas and values of the generations before.
the 1st district Delaware state senator, I was able to But for Gen Z, we want it done at lightning speed.
speak with her about her courageous acts beginning Growing up in a post 9/11 world, everything has been
with and following her election. When I interviewed different for our generation. We don’t know of time
McBride, I learned about the courage she had and all without security checkpoints, live shooter drills and
the hard work it took for her to get where she is today. news traveling the world in minutes. As our genera-
Although she is a millennial, her work is blazing a tion grows older, our intolerance of injustice grows
bright path for those in my generation to follow and stronger, and more and more we speak up. SARAH
continue what she has already fought so hard for. There are roughly 67 million Americans between MCBRIDE,
I look at Sarah McBride and see a powerful woman, the ages 10-24, the current age of the Gen Z popu- Delaware 1st
politician and ally. She is actively doing the work lation. Although many of us Gen Z folks are not of district state
and following through with her campaign promises. voting age, today’s elected officials are busy making senator
Yet, McBride didn’t wait until she was out of college plans that will impact our future. Soon it will be our
to start making a difference – she started as a young turn and we will be making the decisions and our fate
person like me. She was planting seeds for her future will truly be in our hands. Until then, we have to hold
long before the world heard about her or before she on and use what we know best: social media and our
was a “first”. She spent her teen years getting involved voices.
in her community and letting her voice be heard. She I am watching Sarah McBride and others like her
decided to live authentically and lead from there. She as I go. Check out my interview with McBride and see WATCH
gathered people along the way who invested in her how her courage to be authentic catapulted her to BEQTV
before and after her transition – like having a personal notoriety and a life of impact.  BEQ Pride Interview of
Sarah McBride.

Create Your Personal Board of Directors

Gen Z has mastered the use of technology and social net- of an organization such as a business, not-for-profit organiza-
works to shape conversations and set trends that move around tion or a government agency . A personal board of directors is
the world, using platforms with short videos to communicate a group of advisors made up of three to five people invested
ideas, challenges or trends like Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok in you achieving your goals and dreams – think of them as
to create change . Gen Z is so powerful that we can create wise counsel . These people are there and willing to help you
waves in just 60 seconds. on your personal, intellectual, academic and/or professional
I foresee McBride becoming one of Gen Z’s role models and journey . They are usually in addition to your parents, guardians
we will continue to watch as she grows in her public service or other primary caregivers . Some people choose a favorite
and career . Some from my generation are already in the work- teacher, club advisor, coach or faith leader (e .g ., pastor, rabbi,
force and making their way into leadership positions alongside priest, Imam, etc .) . My advice, pick role models and members
Millennials like Sarah McBride . Seeing more BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ of your board of directors who speak up for the things that
and other marginalized individuals ‘in the room where it you value .
happens’ is something our generation is looking forward to . As you go about your life in school, work and events, you
As more of us approach adulthood I’d like to share an idea have the opportunity to meet amazing people who are pursu-
that could be helpful – a personal board of directors . I was ing amazing ideas . But, you’ll never know about the amazing
introduced to the idea of forming a personal board of directors people on your path if you don’t ask questions and become
at a summer leadership program a few years ago . curious about the perspectives of the people you meet . And,
When most people think of a board of directors, they think while you’re being curious it is important to keep these people
of an executive committee that jointly supervises the activities in mind for your board of directors . 

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