I got into politics because of policy — the power of policy to make real, meaningful change. But too often, we just debate the same old ideas. We need more bold, progressive ideas, focused on the priorities of young people in particular. Next100 will help fill this gap, uplifting the best, brightest and boldest progressive thinkers of our time, inspiring all of us to aim higher and push harder for lasting change.

Michael Tubbs, 28, mayor of Stockton, California

Next100 has a simple goal: To take the incredible hunger for change that we see today in the streets, online, and at the ballot box, and turn it into tangible policy progress that results in concrete change for real people.

Next100 executive director, Emma Vadehra

America is changing: year after year, we're become a more diverse, more accepting, and more progressive nation. Unfortunately, our policies and politicians in D.C. aren’t keeping up. We need a new wave of policy leaders that reflect and represent our changing country. Next100 seeks to answer that call.

Cecilia Muñoz, Vice President at New America

We have a new wave of leaders driving many aspects of progressive politics: they’re campaigners, communicators, organizers and more. But when it comes to the development of policy, too many voices are still shut out of the process. That’s why Next100 is so exciting—and so needed. We can’t build a truly diverse, lasting progressive movement without training, supporting, and elevating the next generation of policy leaders.

Ravi Gupta, co-founder of The Arena

Those who hold political power have been operating on the assumption that young people don't vote, don't know what's best for themselves, and don't matter in policymaking. They couldn’t be more wrong. I predict there will be candidates running for office in the next cycle on policy ideas created by Next100 leaders.

Melissa Harris-Perry, Maya Angelou Presidential Chair at Wake Forest University and TCF trustee