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Joseph H. Nathan

@josephh.nathan

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An opportunity can change your life. But first, you have to know it exists.

PSEO changed mine. It lets eligible high school students earn college credit tuition-free, yet too many never hear about it.

When schools, colleges, employers, and communities work together, we can connect young people to their strengths, meaningful careers, and Minnesota’s future.

My latest article is out in @minnpost . Link in bio.

Did someone open this door for you? Pass it on to a student or parent who needs to know.

there’s a link in my bio, click it!🗣️👇🏾

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What if we’ve been asking young people the wrong question all along?

For generations, we’ve asked, “How smart are you?”

At @catalystforsystemschange , we ask a different question:

“How are you smart?”

That shift changes everything.

The greatest barrier to lasting change isn’t a lack of potential. It’s a lack of meaningful responsibility.

Too often, we ask young people to wait their turn. We tell them they’re the leaders of tomorrow while excluding them from the decisions that shape today.

We believe there’s a better way.

At Catalyst for Systems Change, we don’t simply help young people find their voices. We help them use those voices to write legislation, influence public policy, build partnerships across communities, and solve real problems alongside adults.

This year’s legislative victories didn’t happen by accident. They happened because young people weren’t invited to observe democracy. They were trusted to shape it.

Our work is rooted in an intergenerational framework where wisdom is shared, lived experience is honored, and leadership is transferred through meaningful responsibility. When generations work together, we don’t just prepare young people for the future. We build a better future together.

Potential doesn’t change the world.

Meaningful responsibility does.

As Denzel Washington once said, “Use what you have to help others. You can’t take it with you, but you can leave it here.”

That is the legacy we’re working to build.

The next generation doesn’t need another seat at the kids’ table.

They need a seat where decisions are made.

So I’ll leave you with one question:

Who are you trusting with meaningful responsibility today?

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Some nights stay with you long after the room empties.

Last Thursday was one of those nights.

Looking around the room, I saw something I’ll never forget.

Legislators from both sides of the aisle standing beside young people they have mentored, encouraged, and worked alongside over the past several years.

Not because these young people are the leaders of tomorrow.

Because they’re leading today.

One lesson has shaped how I approach this work:

Inherit adult wisdom, but never their limitations.

When we trust young people with meaningful responsibility, they rise to the occasion. They strengthen communities. They shape policy. They remind us that leadership isn’t about age. It’s about service.

Watching our Changemakers stand shoulder to shoulder with legislators after a year of advocating for issues that matter to them was a full circle moment that filled me with hope.

These moments don’t happen because of one organization.

They happen because families, educators, legislators, community partners, volunteers, funders, and young people across Minnesota choose to believe in one another.

Thank you to everyone who has walked alongside this journey.

Together, we’re proving that the greatest investment we can make isn’t simply in young people.

It’s trusting them with meaningful responsibility.

This is what civic leadership looks like.

As always, dreams don’t work unless you do!

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PSEO is at a turning point.

Grateful for the opportunity to join @adamcartermn and @jordanaverde on @wccoradio to talk about what is at stake.

For 40 years, PSEO has helped students earn college credit, save money, and expand their future.

Now we are seeing proposals that could limit access by adding new barriers.

Let’s be clear.

This is not because the program is failing.

It is because of funding pressure and control.

And limiting student access is the wrong solution.

PSEO saves taxpayers about $15,000,000 each year and families about $60,000,000.

The program is working.

The real conversation should be about fixing the funding formula while protecting access.

Because access is already uneven.

Some students are supported into PSEO.
Others never even hear about it.

More barriers only widen that gap.

Young people are stepping up right now.
They are organizing, testifying, and leading.

Now we need the community to step in.

If you believe in protecting PSEO, connect with us and @peopleforpseo

This moment matters.

Want to listen in? link is in the bio.

#PSEO #YouthVoice #Minnesota #EducationEquity SystemsChange

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Back like we never left but better than we have ever been! More than 90 youth from urban, suburban and rural communities came together at the State Capitol to practice real civics and real leadership.

This was not a field trip. This was young people stepping into the seats where decisions are made and creating solutions to housing, mental health, education and public safety. This is hands on democracy.

We were honored to have Sen Bobby Joe Champion, Rep Matt Norris and Dr Macarre Traynham from MDE speak to the youth, and grateful for the support of the Minnesota House Chief Clerk Pat Murphy and House staff.

And for those who may be new to our work, we are proud to partner with legislators from both sides of the aisle. Some were able to join us in person yesterday. Others, including several Republican legislators, reached out with their support and continue to work with our young people throughout the year. This is not partisan work. This is a leadership and civics program for the entire state.

The youth showed up ready to lead. They are not next. They got now.

As always, dreams don’t work until you do!

Young & Gifted

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From policy wins to holistic change. The next chapter starts now.

From shaping education policy to tackling the full picture which is housing, workforce, and education. Catalyst for Systems Change is here.

Proud to build on the Center for School Change’s legacy and lead this next chapter with youth voice at the center of it all.

Dreams don’t work until you do!

There’s a link in the bio, Click it !

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I’m 30. And I don’t question the calling anymore.

I don’t ask “why me?” anymore. I just say “thank you for including me.” Thank you, God, for not letting me ignore the call, for trusting me with purpose bigger than myself.

I know now that the gifts I was given aren’t mine to keep. They’re meant to be scattered like seeds in the wind, multiplied far and wide, a spark that lights other sparks. A candle loses nothing by lighting another.

I’m moving in alignment with Your plan. Claiming what’s already mine. Doing everything they said we couldn’t do just to show it’s possible.

And I’m learning that the greatest journey is just 13 inches-from head to heart. Love is the difference.

Here’s to 30. Here’s to purpose. Here’s to lighting the way.

Thank you all for the love, support and friendship.

Young, gifted and Black 🤝🏾✨📈

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