Guest Commentary written by
Ayo Banjo
Ayo Banjo is the founder of Banjo Strategies Consulting Group and was the youngest-ever UC Santa Cruz student body president. He is a member of the city of Santa Cruz’s Climate Action Task Force.
In the wake of an election that has once again propelled Donald Trump to power, a palpable sense of urgency grips our nation — not just to act, but to lead.
This is more than just a political setback; it signals that now, more than ever, it’s time for young Californians to step up. History teaches us that every generation faces its crucible, a defining challenge that summons its collective spirit to action. Ours is no different, and the battlegrounds are dauntingly clear: climate change, soaring rents, genocides overseas and a fragile peace are not mere issues but calls to action.
Reflecting on my time as the youngest student body president in UC Santa Cruz history, I’m reminded of the sheer power of stepping up early. At a time when many people said I was too young, we championed initiatives that reshaped campus policies and created stronger protections for emergency housing programs. This experience showed me firsthand that age does not define capability — passion and vision do.
Now, more than ever, our voices are needed to steer the conversations that will define our future.
This moment must be a catalyst for action-oriented engagement. Our generation — interconnected, digitally native and socially conscious — is uniquely equipped to challenge the status quo. We must channel our frustrations into mobilization, turning online discourse into substantive real-world impacts.
It’s time for more than tweets of frustration or ephemeral protest marches. Why not us? Why shouldn’t we run for office, lead the charge and make the decisions that steer our lives? We are the architects of new forums for dialogue, building platforms where truth outshines misinformation and where diverse voices aren’t just heard but are shaping narratives.
The plan is simple but ambitious: Dive into the fray. Run for office. Take leadership spots we’ve been told to wait for because our challenges won’t wait. We need to channel our collective anxiety about the future into reimagining American politics, transforming our digital fluency into a tool for broad social impact.
From advocating for climate resilience to demanding economic reforms, from championing civil rights to promoting global peace — our energy, our innovation and our relentless spirit are imperative. We must step into the arena, not as spectators but as champions for humanity itself.
This isn’t just about participating in democracy; it’s about transforming it.
We can be the ones historians write about — the young leaders who dared to step up when the world seemed stacked against us. This should be the era where Gen Z doesn’t just inherit democracy but redefines it, driven by a relentless pursuit of justice and equity. We must forge a future that will not only be remembered for the challenges we faced but for the innovative and bold ways we overcame them.
As we chart a course through turbulent times, let’s embrace our role. Let’s answer this call to action with a movement that’s as passionate about our values as it is about the tangible outcomes we seek. It’s time to show up, speak up and inspire a revolution that transcends politics — a revolution for humanity itself.
Let’s make history not just for what we faced, but for how brilliantly we rose to meet it.
