Gen Z with their telephonophobia…Millennials with their avocado toast…Gen X with their apathy…Boomers with their stale viewpoints…OK.
Isn’t it time that we get rid of this completely fabricated ‘divide’ that exists between the generations? Isn’t it time that we realize we’re all in this together and our varied life experiences and timelines can be used for good if we team up? And isn’t it time that we actually admit that phone calls are overrated? No? That’s just me and my Gen Z pals?
But really. We’ve got to come together and see each other for our strengths.
As a Xennial (it’s a thing!) who’s spent the bulk of my professional life working with young people, I am so excited to watch Gen Z take on the world. I’ve watched high school students advocate for racial justice, LGBTQ+ inclusion, solutions to environmental crises and more. I’ve watched them speak up about the mental health issues that persist among themselves and their peers. I’ve watched them adroitly navigate dozens of technological changes.
And, most recently, I’ve watched as these now-former students begin adulthood amid the backdrop of a world that seems to be on the verge of collapse almost daily.
Technically, Gen Z is made up of people born after 1995, and they make up almost 38% of Michigan’s population. As they become adults, they’re receiving more and more attention, and all signs point to them being the generation that will save us from ourselves.
But that’s a lot of pressure to put on a group of young Americans who’ve come of age in a rapidly changing world that still clings to outdated, unjust systems. And it’s why we older Americans need to open our eyes and ears to what the youth around us are saying about their experiences, their dreams and their vision of what our future could be. And once we’ve heard them, we need to work with them. Cross-generational collaboration, not creating barriers between older and younger folks, is what we need if we want to achieve the transformational changes we so desperately need.
The League’s Kids Count in Michigan Project is trying to do just that. And we’re starting with listening.
When it came to producing the 2021 Kids Count in Michigan Data Book, we wanted to make sure youth were at the center. So we asked them in a survey to share some of their thoughts, including how they think adults could help improve outcomes for kids. Over 85 teenagers responded, and here are just a few of their thoughts:
“Something I think adults can do to make kids feel more supported is just simply check in everyday with them. Ask if they’re ok, or if they need anything, and let them know that their hard work isn’t being overlooked.”
-Ariel J., Wayne County
“Adults can listen and not act like younger people don’t know what they are talking about when it comes to politics or the economy.”
Elliot S., Washtenaw County
“I want adults to know that even though we are youth we can support and help our community and also even though we are not adults yet we can still be stressed.”
J’kyla H., Ingham County
“[We need] more youth programs in the neighborhood and more information availability. Not everyone has social media.”
-Liliana T., Wayne County
It’s definitely time to check our stereotypes when it comes to this generation.
Inspired by these youth voices, we’re planning to hold more listening sessions, advocacy trainings and panel discussions in order to build a bridge between Gen Z and the older adults who can share their power and collaborate to make systems change in Michigan.
To see more about what youth in Michigan have to say about their experiences in school, their relationships with family and community, and their personal visions of the future, check out the Data Book. And if you know someone between the ages of 12 and 24 who’d be interested in participating in our listening sessions or trainings, please encourage them to sign up here.
Jay Cutler joined the League in March 2026 as the Kids Count Senior Data Analyst, where he collects, analyzes, and prepares data for Kids Count in Michigan.
Danielle Taylor-Basemore joined the League as the Development Data and Stewardship Coordinator in June 2025. She brings with her five years of nonprofit experience with a special focus on community engagement, data visualization and strategic programming. Prior to joining the League, Danielle served as the Business District, Safety, and Digital Manager at Jefferson East, Inc.
Scott Preston is a Senior Policy Analyst with the Michigan League for Public Policy, where he leads the organization’s immigration and criminal justice reform portfolios. In the three years prior to joining the League, Scott facilitated the Southeast Michigan Refugee Collaborative and managed a small business economic development program at Global Detroit. His work included launching Michigan’s first Refugee Film Festival and building on a trusted connector model that linked marginalized communities with crucial resources. Scott’s work at the League is informed by his background in journalism and research. He spent four years covering the Syrian refugee crisis in the Middle East for publications such as The Economist, and later worked with unaccompanied refugee minors through Samaritas. Scott holds a master’s degree in international migration and public policy from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Kate Powers joined the League as the Chief Development Officer in February 2025. Prior to joining the League, Kate held leadership positions at many Michigan nonprofit organizations, most recently serving as the COO and Chief Development Officer of Ele’s Place. Kate has spent the bulk of her career in fundraising, with a short stint in the state Legislature as a legislative aide to members in both chambers. Kate is a graduate of Michigan State University’s James Madison College with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Relations and has a certificate in fundraising management from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. Additionally, Kate served on the East Lansing Public Schools Board of Education and is a past President of the Junior League of Lansing. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her husband and her son and saving outfit of the day and home decor ideas on Pinterest. 
Nicholas Hess joined the League as the Fiscal Policy Analyst in September of 2024. In this role, Nicholas focuses on tax policy, government revenue, and their impact on working families and racial equity, including the effects of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC). Nicholas values the role that judicious fiscal policy can play in the improvement of people’s lives and the economy, alleviating inequities along the way.
Audrey Matusz joined the League as the Visual Communications Specialist in September 2024. She supports the team with implementing social media strategies and brainstorming creative ways to talk about public policy. She brings with her nearly a decade of experience in producing digital products for evidence-based social justice initiatives. 
Jacob Kaplan 
Donald Stuckey 
Alexandra Stamm 
Amari Fuller
Mikell Frey is a communications professional with a passion for using the art of storytelling to positively impact lives. She strongly believes that positive social change can be inspired by the sharing of data-driven information coupled with the unique perspectives of people from all walks of life across Michigan, especially those who have faced extraordinary barriers. 
Yona Isaacs (she/hers) is an Early Childhood Data Analyst for the Kids Count project. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience at the University of Michigan, she began her career as a research coordinator in pediatric psychiatry using data to understand the impacts of brain activity and genetics on children’s behavior and mental health symptoms. This work prompted an interest in exploring social determinants of health and the role of policy in promoting equitable opportunities for all children, families, and communities. She returned to the University of Michigan to complete her Masters in Social Work focused on Social Policy and Evaluation, during which she interned with the ACLU of Michigan’s policy and legislative team and assisted local nonprofit organizations in creating data and evaluation metrics. She currently serves as a coordinator for the Michigan Center for Youth Justice on a project aiming to increase placement options and enhance cultural competency within the juvenile justice system for LGBTQIA+ youth. Yona is eager to put her data skills to work at the League in support of data-driven policies that advocate for equitable access to healthcare, education, economic security, and opportunity for 0-5 year old children. In her free time, she enjoys tackling DIY house projects and trying new outdoor activities with her dog.
Rachel Richards rejoined the League in December 2020 as the Fiscal Policy Director working on state budget and tax policies. Prior to returning to the League, she served as the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Michigan Department of Treasury, the tax policy analyst and Legislative Director for the Michigan League for Public Policy, and a policy analyst and the Appropriations Coordinator for the Democratic Caucus of the Michigan House of Representatives. She brings with her over a decade of experience in policies focused on economic opportunity, including workforce issues, tax, and state budget.
Simon Marshall-Shah joined the Michigan League for Public Policy as a State Policy Fellow in August 2019. His work focuses on state policy as it relates to the budget, immigration, health care and other League policy priorities. Before joining the League, he worked in Washington, D.C. at the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP), providing federal policy and advocacy support to nonprofit, Medicaid health plans (Safety Net Health Plans) related to the ACA Marketplaces as well as Quality & Operations.
Renell Weathers, Michigan League for Public Policy (MLPP) Community Engagement Consultant. As community engagement consultant, Renell works with organizations throughout the state in connecting the impact of budget and tax policies to their communities. She is motivated by the belief that all children and adults deserve the opportunity to achieve their dreams regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or economic class.
Emily Jorgensen joined the Michigan League for Public Policy in July 2019. She deeply cares about the well-being of individuals and families and has a great love for Michigan. She is grateful that her position at the League enables her to combine these passions and work to help promote policies that will lead to better opportunities and security for all Michiganders.
Megan Farnsworth joined the League’s staff in December 2022 as Executive Assistant. Megan is driven by work that is personally fulfilling, and feels honored to help support the work of an organization that pushes for more robust programming and opportunities for the residents of our state. She’s excited and motivated to gain overarching knowledge of the policies and agendas that the League supports.
