The Power Of NYAC’s Intergenerational Mentorship
My involvement with the National Youth Advocacy Corps (NYAC) began after learning of the LGBTQ Institute’s (currently known as the independent Rustin Institute) research and advocacy initiatives. I was inspired by the Institute’s commitment to the four pillars that are foundational to NYAC - intersectionality, research, advocacy history, and public policy. Looking for more experience in each of these areas as I prepared to apply to Master of Public Policy programs, I reached out to the Institute eager to be involved. Tim’m West, the Rustin Institute’s Executive Director, quickly embraced me as a member of the Institute and NYAC Fellowship.
At the time of first contacting the Institute, I had no idea how fundamental my involvement with NYAC would be to my personal and professional development, the depth of relationships I would build over a short period of time, and how much fulfillment I would gain working with young people to develop their own advocacy projects throughout the Fellowship.
As NYAC’s Director of Project Support and Engagement, I am uniquely situated at the center of the intergenerational mentorship that is integral to the Fellowship. While supporting Fellows in their advocacy projects and research initiatives, I have had the opportunity to receive invaluable mentorship from the Fellowship’s Executive Director and Visionary, Tim’m West; the Fellowship’s Director of Research, Evaluation, and Curriculum Design, Dr. Nhan Truong; Rustin Institute Board NYAC Advisor, Morna Gerrard; and Georgia State Library Advisor, Charlene Martoni. Each of these mentors has helped strengthen my leadership, research, and project management skills.
What makes NYAC special is its commitment to a truly intergenerational model of leadership development. Mentorship within the Fellowship is not a one-directional transfer of knowledge from older generations to younger ones. Rather, it is an ecosystem of learning in which Mentors guide Fellows, Fellows challenge and inspire Mentors, and Mentors themselves continue learning from one another. This creates a culture where experience, historical knowledge, and fresh perspectives are all valued equally.
Intergenerational mentorship is particularly important because it bridges the gap between past and present social movements. Young leaders gain access not only to practical skills and professional guidance, but also to the lessons learned and wisdom accumulated by those who have spent decades organizing, advocating, researching, and community building. At the same time, mentors remain connected to emerging issues, new approaches, and the lived realities of younger generations.
In a time of increasing social disconnect and hyper-independence, NYAC serves as a powerful example of what becomes possible when young people are intentionally invested in, given the space and resources to be curious, and supported by a network of people committed to their growth. The Fellowship demonstrates that leadership development is a communal effort, rooted in relationships, accountability, and shared learning.
We see the success of this framework reflected countless times throughout social movement history. The Mothers of the Ballroom scene have long mentored young queer and trans people, providing guidance and chosen family, cultural knowledge, and pathways to self-determination. Similarly, generations of jazz musicians have learned under the mentorship of pioneers who helped shape the genre, preserving tradition while encouraging innovation. Across movements, artistic communities, and advocacy spaces, intergenerational mentorship has ensured that knowledge is passed forward while still allowing new leaders to shape their own paths.
I would be nothing without the personal and professional mentors in my life helping me along the way. As a young trans person, I deeply understand the importance of someone taking you under their wing and showing you what becomes possible when you invest in yourself and your future. Mentorship offers affirmation, confidence, and a vision of what the future can look like. Seeing people who have navigated similar challenges and built meaningful lives makes aspirations feel attainable.
The mentorship I have received through the NYAC Fellowship has had a profound impact on my personal and professional trajectory. It has strengthened my confidence as a leader, sharpened my skills as a researcher and facilitator, and helped me successfully gain acceptance to multiple graduate programs. I am excited to share that I will be attending the University of Illinois Chicago this fall as a Master of Public Policy candidate. As I begin this next chapter, I look forward to carrying forward the lessons, values, and practices that the NYAC Mentors have imparted to me. Perhaps most importantly, I hope to provide the same kind of guidance and support to NYAC Fellows that has been so transformative in my own journey.
