Want to connect across generations? Join us:

Event Recording: Book Talk: Cogeneration in the Age of AI

Event Recording: Book Talk: Cogeneration in the Age of AI

Simple question: Do you miss human connection when you use self-checkout at the grocery store? Complex question: How is cogeneration threatened by AI, profit-driven “efficiencies,” and automation — and what can we do about it? Allison Pugh, author of the book The Last...

Putting Two Things Together

Putting Two Things Together

On Friday, May 15, I had the great honor to address the 2026 graduates of Drew University, including the undergraduate College of Liberal Arts, the Theological School, and the Caspersen School of Graduate Studies. I'm very grateful to Drew's remarkable President...

Introducing the CoGen Voices Fellows

Introducing the CoGen Voices Fellows

Across the country, young people and older people are stepping up as civic leaders. But too often, they do this critical work with peers, in age-segregated spaces. Young people work without the benefit of older generations who bring lived experience, networks, and a...

Event Recording: Age Diversifying Your Board

Event Recording: Age Diversifying Your Board

Is your organization ready to tackle one of the toughest but most transformative shifts in intergenerational collaboration? In this session, you’ll hear from three leaders spearheading efforts to diversify board involvement. This will be a learning-in-public...

15 Innovators Solving Problems and Bridging Generational Divides

We asked our newest group of Innovation Fellows to tell us more about their work

By | Mar 23, 2023

Our newest Innovation Fellows are fighting for racial and environmental justice, empowering immigrant communities, healing trauma, registering young people to vote, reducing ageism and loneliness, and more. 

And they’re all using cogeneration — bringing older and younger people together to solve pressing problems — as a key strategy to meet their goals.

To learn more about their work, we asked each person the same six questions. They had a choice of the seventh and final question. We hope you enjoy these fun Q&As below.

 *  *  *

Anya KamenetzAnya Kamenetz Is Bringing Solutions-Oriented Climate Storytelling to Children
The bestselling author and former education journalist for NPR is mobilizing her network for good.

 

 

Christina HernandezChristina Hernandez Is Tackling the Early Childhood Educator Crisis in Los Angeles
By matching community college students with retired early educators, she’s helping to prepare enough preschool teachers to meet the growing demand.

 

 

Elly KatzElly Katz Is Pairing Teens and Elders to Fight Ageism and Improve Mental Health
The founder of Sages & Seekers says “it’s a natural fit” to connect these two marginalized groups.

 

 

GENEVIEVE LEIGHTON-ARMAHGenevieve Leighton-Armah Is Helping Black Leaders Realize That Rest Is Their Biggest Currency
Her pilot program in the Bay Area supports community activists and reduces burnout so they can continue doing important work.

 

 

Jon Adam RossJon Adam Ross Is Using Collaborative Theater To Build Bridges Between Cultures and Generations
He brings diverse community members together to interpret sacred texts for modern times.

 

 

Joseph LamJoseph Lam’s Card Game Sparks Deep Conversations Across Generations
He wanted to heal his relationship with his immigrant parents. Now he’s helping a global audience bridge divides.

 

 

Lewis BernsteinLewis Bernstein Uses Sesame Street Clips To Connect Three Generations 
After retiring from Sesame Street Workshop, he saw an opportunity to “spark discussion, empathy and joy” while reducing loneliness.

 

 

Libby SteggerLibby Stegger Is Reducing Polarization and the Culture of Division, One Community Project at a Time
She created Move for America to help today’s leaders “solve complex challenges with a diverse group of people at the table.”

 

 

Mariam SankohMariam Sankoh Is Trying To Heal Racial Wounds in the Former Capital of the Confederacy
Once she learned the true story of American history, she felt compelled to work on creating more equity and justice in her community.

 

 

NATILEE MCGRUDERNatilee McGruder is Giving Grassroots Leaders of All Ages a Safe and Supportive Community
Her venture, Alabama Leads, creates “a space where people can be, rest, dream, be honest and connect”

 

 

NICOLE KENNEYNicole Kenney Is Tackling Racial Disparities in Mental Health to Help Black Women Thrive
She started Hey Auntie!, an online community that offers intergenerational support.

 

 

Roderick HeathRoderick Heath Is on a Mission to Get the Generations Talking — Via Film
He pairs young people and older ones on documentary projects designed to solve community problems.

 

 

SAMUEL RUBINSamuel Rubin Is Fighting for Climate Justice by Tapping the Power of TV and Film
He co-created the Hollywood Climate Summit to encourage industry professionals of all ages to drive culture change and climate action.

 

 

SKY BERGMANSky Bergman Is Inspiring Older Adults To Visit High Schools and Pre-Register Young Voters
Her “Forever Voters” documentary and grassroots initiative is reducing generational division and creating more lifetime voters.

 

 

TARA CHADWICKTara Chadwick Is Bringing Elders, Preschoolers Together to “Protect, Restore and Maintain Our Ancestral Knowledge”
She launched The Papalotl Project to share knowledge about food, health, art and culture.