In May 2021, "Shaping Our Future" brought more than 600 young people together from across the country to discuss their insights on major societal issues our country is facing today. They discussed these issues in small groups, listened to panel experts offer their thoughts, and interacted with each other regardless of whether or not they agreed on the subject matter.

From the team that brought you Voices of America In One Room, this is Voices of Shaping Our Future.

Throughout this season, you’re going to hear from some of our “Shaping Our Future” online participants. In this episode, we meet Iyanuolawa and Marketta.

Originally from Nigeria, Iyanu is currently a college student who also helps out her family’s pastry business. She came into the “Shaping Our Future” event with no expectations, but was happy to participate and meet new people.

Marketta is an activist who is heavily involved in reformative justice and public policies to help end homelessness. As a full-time student who’s extremely involved in different student organizations, she is a passionate voice who constantly represents the best interests of everyone she encounters.

The Voices of Shaping Our Future podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts, and is hosted by Alice Siu. This series is executive produced by the Center for Deliberative Democracy at Stanford University, the Berggruen Institute, the Haas Center for Public Service at Stanford University, and Tobe Agency.

For more information about our sponsors, please visit their websites:

• The Center for Deliberative Democracy at Stanford University
• The Berggruen Institute
• The Haas Center for Public Service at Stanford University