Newly elected East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome has created several subcommittees to focus on issues around the city, creating a unique opportunity for students to have an impact on local government.
These subcommittees will present a report of policy proposals at the end of January to the mayor. The purpose of the subcommittees could be described as a major research operation focused on numerous topics.
According to The Advocate, the members of these subcommittees, “will study arts, culture and leisure; flood recovery; infrastructure, transportation and mobility; economic development and enterprise; north Baton Rouge revitalization; health care, social services and mental health; housing and land use; metropolitan organization; the millennial agenda; women’s issues; race relations; and education.”
Several University students, including Student Government president Zack Faircloth, student senators Ahmad El-Rachidi and Max Martin, mass communication student Madeline Abadie and myself serve on the Millennial Agenda subcommittee. The committee is composed of other young volunteers within the East Baton Rouge Parish area coming from Southern University, Baton Rouge Community College and other local colleges and universities.
The Millennial Agenda subcommittee will study other areas of the country and world where our generational issues have been put at the forefront of government administrations. The goal is to help renew a sense of purpose for the millennial generation in the city so they no longer feel the need to leave Baton Rouge to find social and economic opportunities.
Over the next few weeks, members of the Millennial Agenda subcommittee will meet in conference rooms across the city and carefully formulate policy proposals for Mayor Broome to consider implementing.
Mayor Broome is right to seek the guidance of young people to help forge her agenda to change the current landscape we face. As a millennial, I will directly benefit from having my voice heard because I live and work in Baton Rouge and have a unique perspective to give the new mayor during her time in office.
Too long have those in positions of power talked about involving youth, but rarely have they offered them a substantive spot at the table. Broome has. Broome, who had many millennials on her campaign, has not forgotten the positive effect that the youth perspective can have on good governing. It is refreshing to see a leader who realizes this fact and is acting on it.
The issue of economic stagnation eventually leading to impending unemployment has some millennials fearful of the future. However, the future of business and industry is increasingly becoming dependent on millennials.
According to the Baton Rouge Business Report, “Millennials now make up the nation’s largest generation, comprise more than one-third of the workforce and are far more diverse than generations past.” This further emphasizes the importance of the millennial generation on local, national and global economies.
“Millennials are the New Frontier,” millennial marketing expert Tobias Wilhelm said at a recent seminar during Baton Rouge Entrepreneurship Week.
East Baton Rouge Parish millennials will now have a mayor who will listen to their issues and concerns and take the steps necessary to address them. This is a unique opportunity to help shape the city and parish that will eventually be left to the millennial generation to lead. This is a time to meet the moment and play a part in this vital work.
Frederick Bell is a 19-year-old mass communication sophomore from Greensburg, Louisiana.