Democracy is not just a system of government — It’s an ongoing practice of engagement, service and action.
And the 25 civic leaders on this year’s inaugural “Democracy Heroes” list are doing just that to ensure all marginalized voters have a seat at the table.
Inaugural list of Democracy Heroes announced
The non-profit organization I Am a Voter, — in partnership with “Morning Joe,” The Rockefeller Foundation, and HeadCount, released the list on Friday. It spotlights trailblazers, advocates, organizers and changemakers who are making a difference in their communities every day.
And with just over a month until election day, the timing could not be more significant.
Here are this year’s honorees:
Aidan Kohn-Murphy and Claire Simon/Co-founder & Communications Director, Gen Z for Change
Claire and Aidan are passionate political organizers at the helm of Gen-Z for Change–an organization that uses social media to promote civil discourse and civil action among members of Generation Z.
Claire is dedicated to voting rights, reproductive justice, and climate action.
Claire currently serves as the Gen-Z for Change’s Election Projects Chair, leading endorsement, messaging, and event efforts, and as Communications Director, managing partnership and communication strategies. She also serves on the advisory board of HeadCount.
Aidan founded Gen-Z for Change in 2020 while still in high school, transforming it into a coalition of over 500 creators and organizers with nearly half a billion combined followers.
Described by Politico as “an unlikely leader of America’s largest and fastest-growing media empire,” Aidan served as the Executive Director of Gen-Z for Change for two years and is now its Board Chair and Senior Advisor. He has forged partnerships with organizations, including the White House, Fair Fight, Climate Power, and Accountable Tech. He is among the youngest members of Forbes’ Under 30 Class of 2023.
Alexis Bechtol/Director of Community Affairs, Levi Strauss & Co.
Alexis is the director of community affairs at Levi Strauss & Co. (LS&Co.) In her role, Alexis leads the social impact team, developing the corporate grantmaking strategy and programs that connect LS&Co.’s global employees with meaningful issues and organizations. She manages a portfolio focused on civic engagement, voting, gun violence prevention, equality, and sustainability, aiming to position LS&Co. as a leader in corporate social responsibility while strengthening its legacy of giving and active citizenship.
She has created initiatives like the LS&Co. Service Corps, a volunteer program that immerses employees in the company’s social and environmental sustainability efforts within its supply chain communities. She also helped launch Time To Vote, a coalition of nearly 2,000 companies encouraging employee participation in elections.
Brant Beland and Suzie Miller/Deputy Organizing Director, Battleground Texas, Formally Quality Control Coordinator, Battleground Texas
Brant and Suzie are dedicated voter registration organizers at Battleground Texas, a volunteer-driven organization aiming to turn Texas into a battleground state by empowering local communities.
Brant moved to Texas in 2018 and became a HeadCount Team Leader in 2019 after being inspired by his first voter registration experience at Dallas Pride. Since then, he has focused on registering voters across Texas and supporting political campaigns.
Suzie was motivated by the 2016 election to engage more deeply in community action. She moved to Texas right after graduation and joined HeadCount, quickly becoming an impactful volunteer in Dallas/Fort Worth. Over the past five years, Suzie has expanded her voter registration efforts through partnerships with Texas-based and national organizations, emphasizing the importance of every vote and story in strengthening democracy. Together, they are committed to fostering civic engagement and making an impact in Texas.
Chelsea Miller/Co-founder, Freedom March NYC
Chelsea co-founded Freedom March NYC, one of the nation’s largest youth-led civil rights organizations and a hub for young people, women and girls, and communities of color to create social change after working in the Obama White House in 2016.
Known for her ability to use storytelling and digital media to engage multicultural and multigenerational audiences, Chelsea has organized movements globally and worked with brands like Versace, Nike, Puma, Toms, Meta, and the WNBA. She collaborates with organizations and universities worldwide to mobilize young people and build sustainable movements. Her work has been featured in Forbes, Rolling Stone, Vogue, CNN, and Financial Times. Chelsea was honored as the Voice of Justice on the Oprah Winfrey Network and received the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award. She has appeared on programs like ABC’s Soul of a Nation on Hulu and PBS’s Making Black America, amplifying the stories of movements in the digital age.
Chris Evans, Joe Kiani, and Mark Kassen/A Starting Point
Chris and Mark co-founded A Starting Point (ASP) in 2020, a civic engagement platform aimed at demystifying politics and creating a more informed electorate. The video-based platform provides concise, bipartisan information on current issues, helping voters understand complex topics in less than two minutes.
As the 2024 elections approach, ASP has evolved from a civic engagement resource to a trusted information hub for young Americans. Evans, known for his role as Captain America, and Kassen, a filmmaker and actor, are addressing ASP’s growing role in American civics education and launching new initiatives to engage and prepare first-time voters. Their work focuses on high school and college-aged youth, encouraging civil discussion around critical political issues and the democratic process. Through ASP, they aim to combat misinformation, increase civic engagement, and create a clear channel of communication between Americans and their elected leaders.
Clarissa Unger/Co-founder and Executive Director, Students Learn Students Vote Coalition
Clarissa is the co-founder and executive director of the Students Learn Students Vote (SLSV) Coalition, the largest nonpartisan network in the U.S. focused on increasing college student voter participation. With extensive experience in advocacy, communications, fundraising, and political campaigns, she has led strategic efforts both nationally and internationally.
Before founding SLSV, she served as the Development Coordinator at the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, where she promoted civic and democratic engagement on campus. At SLSV, Clarissa works to convene and connect campuses, nonprofit partners, students, and philanthropic leaders with resources and programs to ensure every student has easy and equal access to participate in elections. Her leadership in the coalition drives efforts to empower young voters, build sustainable movements, and foster democratic engagement across the country, ensuring that every student’s voice is heard in every election.
Corie Mattie/Founder, LA Hope Dealer
Corie, known as the “LA Hope Dealer,” is a multi-disciplinary street artist whose work combines pop culture, activism, and social commentary to decorate the streets of Los Angeles and beyond.
Originally from South Jersey, Corie moved to Los Angeles to fully dedicate herself to art. Her bold, unapologetic style addresses pressing social issues, from student loans to abortion, using vibrant colors and cultural icons to engage the public. Corie founded LA Hope Dealer in 2020 to promote hope and address social issues through art. She has collaborated with brands like Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz USA, and the National Wildlife Federation. Recognized with the District 26 Woman of the Year Award in 2021, Corie continues to use her art as a catalyst for change and a symbol of hope.
Crystal Greer/Co-founder, Protect The Vote GA
Crystal is the co-founder of Protect the Vote, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to fighting voter suppression in Georgia by mobilizing and educating voters, particularly Black, Brown, and young voters. Originally from South Central Los Angeles, she began her career merging media and civic engagement through her platform, Crystal in the City, to make voting “cool.” Moving to Atlanta in 2018, she quickly got involved in southern electoral politics, working on campaigns and later becoming Director of Communications for the NAACP Georgia State Conference.
Crystal co-founded Protect the Vote GA in response to Georgia’s anti-voter bill SB 202, and launched the Democracy Champ Ambassador program in 2024 to train young leaders. She also runs CITC MEDIA, a boutique communications firm supporting grassroots organizations. Her passion for community extends to food culture with Westside Tacos, a taco pop-up to promote civic engagement, and she serves on the Board of ProGeorgia.
David Ayala/Executive Director, The Formerly Incarcerated, Convicted People and Families Movement
David is the executive director of The Formerly Incarcerated, Convicted People and Families Movement (FICPFM), a national network of civil and human rights organizations led by people with conviction histories and their families.
A Brooklyn native raised by a single Puerto Rican mother, David entered the criminal justice system at age 12. After returning home from federal prison in 2006, he became a leading advocate for criminal justice reform. David was the first Chapter President of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition (FRRC), working to end the disenfranchisement of people with convictions. He played a key role in the Florida Second Chances Campaign, which restored voting rights to over 1.4 million people. As Southeast Regional Organizer for Latino Justice PRLDEF, he helped mobilize the Latino community to pass Amendment 4. David also serves on advisory boards, including Harvard Law School’s Institute to End Mass Incarceration.
David Ledbetter, Founder, Ledbetter Solutions
David, a community organizer and founder of Ledbetter Solutions, is dedicated to empowering marginalized communities through civic engagement and advocacy. Born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina, David first gained recognition in 2019 when he began registering people to vote in Popeye’s drive-thru during the viral chicken sandwich craze. Since then, he has founded Ledbetter Solutions, a consulting firm that provides support and resources for community-serving organizations, and “Imagine This College and Career Readiness,” a nonprofit that helps students access higher education opportunities. His work has earned recognition from Michelle and Barack Obama for his commitment to civic engagement. Currently, he serves as an intern at The Alliance to End Hunger and is an Executive Partner with Come Home, focusing on emotional intelligence in education.
Kenia Flores/ Voting Access and Election Protection Fellow, Detroit Disability Power
Kenia is the Voting Access and Election Protection Fellow at Detroit Disability Power (DDP), where she focuses on dismantling barriers that prevent people with disabilities from being civically engaged. Motivated by her experiences as a blind voter facing accessibility challenges, Kenia is committed to ensuring disabled individuals have a voice in the democratic process.
Her work at DDP addresses disparities in housing, employment, education, transportation, healthcare, and more for the disability community. In addition to her role at DDP, Kenia is a Government Relations Analyst at Learning Ally, where she helps advance education policy priorities with Governors’ offices, state legislatures, and Departments of Education. She has also served as an Intern and Staff Assistant in the U.S. Senate, working in both district and Capitol Hill offices to serve North Carolina constituents.
Kit Rocha (Bree Bridges and Donna Herren) and Courtney Milan/ Authors / Co-Founders, Romancing The Vote
Romancing the Vote is a collective of romance authors dedicated to dismantling voter suppression in Georgia and the U.S. Co-founded by authors Courtney Milan and Kit Rocha (the pen name for Bree Bridges and Donna Herren), the authors met while writing romance and bonded over a shared love of protagonists fighting for a better world and stories filled with hope and triumph. The group has raised over $1 million through creative auctions for voting organizations like Fair Fight, VoteRiders, Black Voters Matter, and the New Georgia Project. Their first auction, Romancing the Runoff in 2020, initially aimed to raise $10,000 but ended up bringing in $500,000. Kit Rocha, known for their award-winning Beyond series and the Mercenary Librarians trilogy, has always written stories about strong women, messy worlds, and finding love. Passionate about civic engagement, they use their platform to support democracy, continuing their auctions to ensure voting rights for all.
LaTosha Brown/Co-founder, Black Voters Matter
LaTosha co-founded Black Voters Matter (BVM), an organization dedicated to increasing power in marginalized, predominantly Black communities by promoting voter registration, turnout, and grassroots development. A nationally recognized expert on Black voting rights, voter suppression, and Black women’s empowerment, LaTosha focuses on how voting enables communities to shape their own destinies. She also founded the Southern Black Girls & Women’s Consortium, a $100 million, 10-year initiative to invest in organizations serving Black women and girls in the South, empowering them to lead from inception to execution. In addition,
LaTosha serves as the 2020 Hauser Leader at Harvard Kennedy School’s Center for Public Leadership and the Leader in Practice at its Women and Public Policy Program.
Lauren Kunis/CEO and Executive Director, VoteRiders
Lauren is the CEO and executive director of VoteRiders, a nonpartisan nonprofit focused on ensuring that all citizens can exercise their right to vote. VoteRiders provides voter ID information, helps citizens secure IDs, and supports organizations, volunteers, and communities in sustaining voter ID education and assistance efforts. With a career dedicated to strengthening democracy, Lauren has designed and managed impactful voter education, civic engagement, and government accountability programs globally. Lauren was the National Voter Registration Day Program Director at Nonprofit VOTE, leading the holiday to a record number of voter registrations in 2020. She also worked with the National Democratic Institute and the World Bank on democracy and governance programs in over 15 countries. In addition, Lauren served on the Steering Committee for the DC Paid Family Leave campaign.
Lizette Escobedo/Vice President, Government Relations, AltaMed Health Services
Lizette advocates for civic engagement and social justice with over 20 years of experience empowering Latino communities. As vice president of government relations and civic engagement at AltaMed Health Services, she led the My Vote. My Health. campaign, reaching over half a million Latino voters in Los Angeles and Orange Counties during the 2022 Midterm Election. She also spearheaded the ¡Andale! ¿Que Esperas?! COVID-19 vaccine outreach, resulting in over 130,000 vaccinations. Lizette has held key roles at organizations like the NALEO Educational Fund, where she directed efforts to ensure full Latino counts in the 2010 and 2020 Censuses and launched citizenship campaigns. She played a significant role in the Alliance for Citizenship and helped raise $1.4 million for Mi Familia Vota. Recognized as Woman of the Year by the California Assembly in 2019, Lizette continues her commitment to equity and justice as a board member of Make the Road States and the National Civic Health Alliance.
Queen Chela Demuir/President and Executive Director, Unique Woman’s Coalition
Queen Mother Chela is the founder and executive director of the Unique Woman’s Coalition (UWC), a pioneering organization dedicated to empowering and leading the Black Trans community. Since founding UWC in 1997, Queen Chela has focused on creating safe spaces, mentorship programs, and community care to nurture the next generation of leaders.
Her work is deeply rooted in her lived experience and a commitment to amplifying the narratives and needs of Black Trans individuals. Under Queen Chela’s leadership, UWC has become a cultural hub at the Connie Norman Transgender Empowerment Center, supporting Trans-led organizations and initiatives like the Transgiving Dinner, Trans Pride LA, and the Our HONORS Awards. Celebrating 25 years of service in 2022, UWC has grown from a holiday gathering to a powerful force for change. Queen Chela also established the first Trans-led polling place in Los Angeles County, exemplifying her dedication to justice and equity.
Reyna Montoya/ Founder and Executive Director, Aliento
Reyna is a DACAmented social entrepreneur, community organizer, and founder of Aliento, an organization dedicated to uplifting immigrant voices and advancing justice. Under her leadership, Aliento has impacted over 50,000 people, educated nearly 100,000 voters in the 2020 and 2022 elections, and led a non-partisan coalition that passed Prop. 308, securing in-state tuition for DACA recipients in Arizona. Born in Tijuana, Mexico, Reyna fled to Arizona in 2003. She became a prominent advocate for immigrant rights, famously stopping the deportation of her father and a bus of undocumented immigrants in 2013.
An Echoing Green Fellow, Forbes 30 Under 30 Social Entrepreneur, and ATHENA YoungProfessional Award recipient, Reyna has gained recognition for her contributions from the #NBCLatino20 to the Muhammad Ali Center. A founding member of Teach For America’s DACA Advisory Board, she continues to create healing spaces, foster political change, and develop leadership among immigrant youth and mixed-status families.
Sanda Balaban/Co-founder and Director, YVote + Project Pericles
Sanda is the co-founder of YVote, a nonprofit that empowers young people to become informed, engaged voters and civic leaders through youth-led programs and New York City-based civic initiatives. Passionate about helping youth connect their interests with civic action, Sanda has focused on equipping the next generation to transform the political landscape by holding elected officials accountable and advocating for social justice.
In July 2024, she became the Executive Director of Project Pericles, a higher education nonprofit dedicated to fostering civic leadership through innovative curricula and faculty engagement. With over three decades of experience in education and youth development, Sanda has held roles at the NYC Department of Education, Ford Foundation, Goldman Sachs Foundation, and various nonprofits. She serves on the boards of Generation Vote, Chalkbeat, and The Hope Reichbach Memorial Fund, working to enhance youth civic engagement, education, and social justice.
Shennell McCloud/CEO, Project Ready
Shennell is the CEO of Project Ready, a nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to advancing high-quality education and social justice in urban communities through increased voter turnout and civic engagement. Since its launch in 2018, Shennell has expanded Project Ready’s mission to address educational inequities, public health, and broader social justice issues, advocating for policies like online voter registration, mail-in ballot access, and Same-Day Voter Registration. Under her leadership, the organization has engaged thousands of Newark residents in voting and civic action.
Shennell is also the founder of the Dear America Project, a movement to amplify historically silenced voices, and she hosts the Dear America show on iHeart Radio. She is the Executive Director of Be Ready, New Jersey’s first PAC focused on electing Black women.
Recognized with honors like the 2024 YWCA Racial Justice Award, she continues to drive change, empowering communities and advocating for equity in politics and education.
Sophie Beren/Founder and CEO, The Conversationalist
Sophie is the founder and CEO of The Conversationalist, a nonpartisan educational platform dedicated to empowering Gen Z to break out of echo chambers, engage in difficult conversations, and unify across differences.
Originating from Wichita, Kansas, Sophie launched The Conversationalist to provide young people with the community, content, and skills needed to foster unity in a polarized world. The platform reaches over 150,000 young people and features the first-ever Gen Z talk show, “POVz,” as well as a network of campus correspondents across the country. Recognized as a “Uniter in America” by The White House and named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 in Education in 2023, Sophie frequently appears on NBC, ABC, and other major news networks. Her work has been highlighted by Good Morning America, The Washington Post, and even featured on a Times Square billboard.
Steve Kerr/Head Coach, The Golden State Warriors
Steve is the head coach of the Golden State Warriors and the U.S. Men’s Olympic Basketball team and is also a strong advocate for civic engagement and activism. Since 2018, under his leadership, the Warriors have partnered with I am a voter., working to register players and fans and provide nonpartisan election information. They also pioneered the Voters Win competition, a contest among NBA teams to see who can register the most fans, promoting civic participation across the league. Steve continues to use his platform to encourage voter engagement and awareness, inspiring both the sports community and the public to be more active in the democratic process.
Steven Kolb/CEO of the Council of Fashion Designers of America
Steven is the Chief Executive Officer of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) since 2011. As CEO, he oversees critical initiatives like the CFDA Fashion Awards and New York Fashion Week. Kolb’s activism spans various causes, including health and safety in the modeling industry, disaster relief, and LGBTQ+ advocacy.
He has been instrumental in expanding the CFDA Health Initiative and fundraising for cancer and AIDS research. Kolb worked to spearhead the Fashion For Our Future initiative with Vogue this past year– culminating in a march to promote civic engagement in New York with I am a voter. He was recognized in the OUT 100 list and appointed as a Stonewall Ambassador, Kolb has been a vocal supporter of LGBTQ+ rights. His efforts in fashion education and sustainability have also been unmatched, including the establishment of the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund and work on creating a manufacturing hub in New York City.
Quavo/Founder, the Rocket Foundation
Quavo is a singer, record producer, and activist. He rose to fame as a member of the hip-hop group Migos, alongside his cousin Offset and late nephew Kirsnick Khari Ball, known as Takeoff. Quavo founded the Rocket Foundation in 2022 in honor of Takeoff. The foundation is committed to ending gun violence in America and elevating effective community-based solutions. It has become a national platform, contributing $2 million to violence prevention efforts and advocating for change. Quavo’s commitment includes meeting with leaders like Vice President Kamala Harris and attending strategic community intervention meetings. Through The Rocket Foundation, he is dedicated to creating safe spaces and opportunities for youth and families affected by violence.
Tevon Blair/Co-founder, Xceleader
Tevon is the co-founder of Xceleader, established in 2018 to develop leaders on HBCU campuses. A key initiative of Xceleader is Vote HBCU, a nonpartisan civic engagement program that educates, mobilizes, and empowers students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to drive social change on campus and in their communities. Tevon leads the programmatic strategy for Vote HBCU. His work has contributed to communication strategies that engage young people in politics and education for statewide and national campaigns, including efforts to promote Historically Black College and University students as informed and active participants in the democratic process. Tevon is a graduate of Dillard University and The George Washington University, and he is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Yevonne Brannon/Chair, Public Schools First NC
Yevonne is the chair of Public Schools First NC, a nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to advocating for a unified pre-K–12 public education system in North Carolina. Collaborating with parents, educators, business and civic leaders, and communities, the organization works to ensure every child is prepared for productive citizenship. Yevonne, who holds a Ph.D. in sociology from NC State University, is also the Director of the Center for Urban Affairs and Community Services at NCSU. With a background in social work and education, she has been a lifelong advocate for children and public education, including serving as a Wake County Commissioner. A founding member of multiple nonprofits, such as WakeUp Wake County and Great Schools In Wake Coalition, Yevonne’s dedication to community service is reflected in her efforts to improve public education and civic engagement throughout North Carolina.
