A generational shift is underway at museums, civic institutions, and cultural organizations – driven by Made By Us to secure board appointments, advisory seats, and leadership roles for Generation Z

June 10, 2026

Contact: y250press@teamdsb.com 

Washington, DC – As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, a lasting legacy is already taking shape: young people are being invited to the decision-making table.

Across the country, as the capstone to years of youth-engaged work driven by Made By Us, museums, civic institutions, cultural organizations, and public history projects are creating new pathways for Gen Z leadership, ensuring that the generation inheriting America's future has a meaningful role in shaping it.

Today's announcement from the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, welcoming two members of Gen Z to its Advisory Board for the first time, is one example of a broader generational shift underway. Sarah Fling (29), a public historian and digital storyteller whose work helps younger generations connect with American history, and Wyatt Nako (22), a recent Georgetown University graduate and civic engagement leader focused on dialogue, democracy, and cross-generational understanding both previously served in the Youth250 Bureau with Made By Us.

Through initiatives like Youth250, sparked by an Open Letter to America published last July 4 in Teen Vogue, institutions are moving beyond youth engagement and toward youth leadership, creating opportunities for young people to help shape decisions, influence narratives, and strengthen the civic and cultural infrastructure that will carry the country into its next 250 years.

Together, these milestones represent one of the most significant coordinated efforts in American history to bring young people into institutional leadership as decision-makers whose perspectives and leadership will help shape organizations, communities, and civic life for decades to come.

"America's 250th anniversary is not only a moment to reflect on our past. It's an opportunity to invest in the people who will shape our future," said Caroline Klibanoff, Made By Us Executive Director and Co-Founder of Youth250. “What we're seeing across the country is a growing recognition that young people belong not only in the audience, but in the rooms where decisions are made. These appointments are about building institutions that are stronger, more representative, and more prepared for the next 250 years."

During National Youth Day on June 27, part of Civic Season, a growing coalition of civic and cultural institutions announced historic new board seats, advisory councils, youth membership programs, and youth-centered leadership initiatives. 

Among the milestones announced:

• The National Museum of American History welcomed two members of Gen Z to its Advisory Board.

• Points of Light appointed a Gen Z member to its Board of Directors.

• CoGenerate named two Gen Z members to its Board.

• Young Futures welcomed two Gen Z leaders to its Advisory Board.

• Hopelab appointed a youth member to its Board.

• The National Women's History Museum launched a National Youth Advisory Council.

• The Illinois America 250 Commission named a Gen Z commissioner.

• Utah History Museum, opening this summer, was co-created in partnership with a Youth Advisory Board.

Together, these milestones represent one of the most significant coordinated efforts in American history to bring young people into institutional leadership.

"Our American story has been shaped by generations working together to build a 'more perfect union,'" said Anthea M. Hartig, Elizabeth MacMillan Director of the National Museum of American History and a founding board member of Made By Us. "Organizations like ours can lead the way by inviting youth leadership and giving them not just a seat at the table, but a voice at that table."

These governance commitments build on a broader Youth250 effort that has helped connect young people with civic life and public institutions throughout the semiquincentennial year, with institutional tools, the Gen Z Scorecard, a micro-grant program for events and a Content Corps of 200 young creators. Through the Youth250 Bureau, 100 paid youth advisors from across the country served as thought partners to institutions preparing for America's 250th anniversary. Youth250's Letters to America and a youth-authored Declaration invited a new generation to share its vision for the country's future.

"This is not about symbolic inclusion or tokenism. It's about shared governance and trust in young leaders," said Alex Edgar, Youth250 Co-Founder at Made By Us. "Young people are not just the future of our country. They are ready to help lead it and shape the American story today."

For Made By Us and its partners, that may prove to be one of the most enduring legacies of America's 250th anniversary: ensuring that the generation inheriting the future has a meaningful role in shaping it.

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About Made By Us: Made By Us is a nonpartisan, nonprofit coalition of more than 500 museums, historic sites, libraries, and archives nationwide working to connect young adults to civic life and history. Through Civic Season, Youth250, Wish Walls, Letters to America, and other initiatives, Made By Us builds the movement that activates America's history institutions as bridges to active citizenship for the next generation. Learn more at historymadebyus.org.

About Youth 250: Youth250 is an initiative of Made By Us, a first-of-its-kind national effort placing young people at the center of America's 250th anniversary. Through a Bureau of 100 paid, trained youth advisors from 45 states, a Gen Z Scorecard assessing 450 organizations, and nationwide creative activations like Letters to America, young leaders are advising institutions and co-creating how the Semiquincentennial is commemorated. A youth-written Declaration travels to museums and institutions nationwide ahead of July 4, 2026.