Getting Students Excited About Their Communities | How I Built This with Guy Raz | NPR

Transcript

hello everybody welcome to how i built this resilience edition from npr i'm guy roz uh this of course is where we talk with entrepreneurs about how they are handling their businesses and building resilience into them uh during this very strange time i realized this morning on my pandemic wardrobe needs to change because every video we make of this ... Read More

Summary

In this video, Guy Raz interviews Beverly Leon, the founder and CEO of Local Civics, an ed tech company that helps students build their civic and community leadership skills through game-based learning. They discuss the importance of civic education, the challenges facing American democracy, and the sustainable business model of Local Civics.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does Local Civics teach kids about power and help them navigate and explore power?

Local Civics teaches kids about power by allowing them to set accessible participation goals and find events that meet those goals through their platform. They can track their progress, set harder goals, and explore different parts of their community. It serves as an on-ramp for young people to engage in civic spaces and understand their own power to create impact.

Q: Can you provide a practical example of how Local Civics works?

Local Civics works as a web-based platform that middle and high school students can use to participate in local events happening in their community. Students can set goals for participation and choose events from categories like school community events, community board meetings, and more. They can start with attending events, then deepen their engagement by volunteering or presenting at events.

Q: How did Beverly Leon come up with the idea for Local Civics?

Beverly's idea for Local Civics stemmed from her personal experiences and observations. Growing up as a first-generation American in a small town, sports played a transformative role in her life and allowed her to see her own power in community. Coaching and mentoring young people in different countries and communities further emphasized the importance of empowering young people and connecting them to community. Beverly realized the need for accessible on-ramps into civic spaces and channeled her gifts, passions, and resources into creating Local Civics.

Q: How does Local Civics address the civics crisis in the United States?

Local Civics addresses the civics crisis by focusing on two main issues: low youth voter turnout and lack of civic knowledge. They aim to increase youth participation in elections and provide civic education through their platform. By helping young people understand the importance of voting and providing them with knowledge about government processes, laws, and their own power as citizens, Local Civics seeks to empower the next generation of active citizens.

Q: Is American-style democracy broken and in need of fixing?

Beverly believes that American democracy is not broken but rather exclusive. Historically, democracy in the United States has been exclusionary, limiting access to certain groups of people. Beverly sees an opportunity to make American democracy more inclusive by creating pathways for engagement and ensuring that everyone has an on-ramp into civic life. She emphasizes the importance of empowering young people and valuing their contributions to democracy.

Q: How does Local Civics sustain its business model?

Local Civics uses a sustainable business model as an ed tech company. They generate revenue through the sale of their technology platform on a per-student basis, providing value to schools, educators, and students. They also offer professional development training for educators and partner with corporations for funding and sponsorship. By focusing on creating products that solve problems and adding value to their users, Local Civics has been able to bootstrap their company and generate revenues in the six figures.

Q: How can we address the challenges of overwhelming elections and lack of civic knowledge?

Beverly suggests that it's not about fixing the overwhelming number of elections but rather about developing critical thinking skills in citizens. Instead of expecting individuals to understand every single ballot measure, the focus should be on providing people with the skills to critically examine each measure's impact on their community's values and needs. By fostering critical thinking, citizens can better understand the implications of legislation and policy, even if they can't comprehend every single ballot measure.

Q: How can we create more inclusive pathways for citizens in American democracy?

Beverly believes that inclusivity in American democracy can be achieved by offering accessible and inclusive spaces of power. This involves starting in schools and providing young people with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities to engage with their community and understand their own power. It's about valuing the unique contributions of every individual, regardless of age, and recognizing the importance of diverse perspectives in shaping democracy.

Q: How has the paradigm shift in education and social unrest influenced Local Civics' work?

The paradigm shift in education and social unrest has presented an opportunity for Local Civics to innovate and create more inclusive spaces. The shift to remote learning and the increased consciousness around social issues have highlighted the need for accessible and inclusive channels for civic engagement. Local Civics has been able to adapt and engage young people amidst these changes and offers the potential for continued innovation in creating a more thriving democracy.

Q: Is Local Civics a for-profit or non-profit organization?

Local Civics is a for-profit organization with a non-profit mission. They have developed a sustainable business model that focuses on generating revenue through the sale of their technology platform, offering professional development training, and partnering with corporations for funding and sponsorship. By creating a business model that aligns with their mission, Local Civics ensures its sustainability while working towards their goals of empowering young people and improving civic education.

Takeaways

The interview with Beverly Leon, the founder and CEO of Local Civics, highlights the importance of civic education, the challenges facing American democracy, and the business model of Local Civics. The platform aims to empower middle and high school students, providing them with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities to engage in civic spaces and understand their own power to create change. It addresses low youth voter turnout and lack of civic knowledge, striving to make American democracy more inclusive. With a sustainable business model, Local Civics combines its for-profit nature with a non-profit mission to create a thriving democracy.