YEO Network

YEO Network Logo

Young Elected Officials Network known as YEO Network is an arm of the People for the American Way organizing "progressive elected officials" founded by former Tallahassee Mayor and failed Florida gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum.

Mission

Excerpt from the YEO Network website:

The mission of the Young Elected Officials (YEO) Network, a program of People For the American Way Foundation, a 501 c(3) non-profit organization, is to unite and support progressive elected leaders who share a passion for building communities that reflect values of freedom, fairness and opportunity for all. As part of that mission, the YEO Network supports identity caucuses formed within the Network by request of the caucus, as long as it is not in violation of People For the American Way Foundation’s 501 c(3) tax exempt status. If you have questions about or may be interested in joining or forming a caucus, email Michelle Landry at mlandry@pfaw.org. Current Caucuses: Black Caucus, Latinx Caucus, AAPI Caucus, LGBTQ Caucus, Immigrants Caucus, Rural Caucus

About

Excerpt from the YEO Network website:

"The YEO Network, a nonpartisan program of People For the American Way Foundation, is the first and only national initiative to provide a network of support to the newest generation of progressive leaders at every level of elected office. The Network was founded in 2005 with the mission to unite and support elected leaders ages 35 and under who share a passion for building communities that reflect values of freedom, fairness, and opportunity for all. Since then, the Network has grown to include more than 1,300 elected officials across the country in offices ranging from local school boards to the United States Congress.

The Network, which is committed to being “of, by, and for” young electeds, is unique in addressing self-identified needs and using a holistic and participatory model of leadership development. We provide cutting edge programming, investing in the full pipeline of progressive leadership and building sustained relationships with our members. We provide the resources young elected officials need to effectively impact policy, foster their own development and professional growth, and elevate their leadership in the broader progressive movement.

We provide our members with access to a nationwide network, policy resources and support, and continued leadership development. We empower our members to transform their political vision into progressive action, both individually and collectively.

The YEO Network serves to connect the progressive agenda at community levels across the country. Our purpose is to create an enduring pipeline of courageous and visionary leaders to change the world.

2017: Svante Myrick as Director of Youth Leadership Programs

From a People for the American Way press release dated January 13, 2017 (Laura Epstein or Drew Courtney were listed as contacts):

People for the American Way Foundation today announced that Ithaca Mayor Svante Myrick, a member of the Young Elected Officials Network (YEO) for nine years, will be joining the organization as Director of Youth Leadership Programs. Myrick will follow current Director of Youth Leadership Programs, Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum. Gillum, who is also the founder of the YEO Network, a group of over 1,000 progressive elected officials across the country, is planning to focus his attention on political challenges confronting his home state of Florida.

“I couldn’t be more excited to welcome Svante to a new leadership role with the People for the American Way Foundation team,” said People for the American Way Foundation President Michael Keegan. “He’s been an inspiring leader for the city of Ithaca and an extremely active member of the YEO Network, and we’re thrilled that he’ll be in a position to share his passion and his creativity with young leaders all across the country. I’m also deeply grateful for the extraordinary work that Andrew Gillum has done as Director of Youth Leadership Programs and founder of the YEO Network. Andrew is an inspirational leader and his impact on our organization and the progressive movement is hard to overstate. From school boards to the halls of Congress, Andrew has had an indelible impact on the next generation of progressive leaders. Under Andrew’s leadership, the YEO program has expanded to include over 1,000 leaders across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. While we’re sad to see Andrew go, we can’t wait to see what’s next for one of the strongest progressive leaders in our country right now. And, of course, we look forward to continuing to work with him as a member of the YEO Network.”

“People for the American Way Foundation’s unique work with the next generation of progressive leadership has already had a tremendous impact on the face of power in this country, and I couldn’t be prouder of the change that we’ve helped to make,” said outgoing People for the American Way Foundation Director of Youth Leadership Programs and Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum “From mobilizing young people to get out the vote with their peers to creating the YEO Network, I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunities I’ve had at People for the American Way Foundation. I look forward to pursuing new opportunities for progressive leadership in Florida, and I am so glad that Svante, who brings such a long history of involvement in the YEO Network, will be taking the reins of Youth Leadership Programs at People for the American Way Foundation.”

“As a member of the YEO Network for nine years, I’ve had the privilege of working with some of the most creative, effective, progressive leaders in our country. I’ve learned so much from Andrew and my fellow YEOs, and I can’t wait to lead and grow the program,” said incoming People for the American Way Foundation Director of Youth Leadership Programs and Ithaca Mayor Svante Myrick. “As I continue to steadfastly serve as Ithaca Mayor, I look forward to sharing my experiences with and learning from the over 1,000 members of the YEO Network.”

Svante Myrick, 29, is the youngest-ever mayor of Ithaca, New York. Raised by his mother, Myrick and his family faced homelessness throughout their lives and relied on school lunch programs and other critical public services. After attending Cornell University, Myrick served as Assistant Director of Student and Young Alumni programs at the college and tutored Ithaca youth. These experiences shape his leadership in Ithaca, where he’s put progressive values into action to improve the lives of the people of Ithaca. As mayor, Myrick’s innovative leadership has, for example, included putting forth a plan to address the heroin epidemic through supervised injection sites, prevention, treatment, and law enforcement. Svante is the recipient of the John F. Kennedy Frontier Award, YEO’s Barbara Jordan Leadership Award and named this year by Rolling Stone “Hot Do-Gooder” public servant to watch and most recently again in Forbes Magazine. “Meet the 2017 Class of 30 under 30.”

YEO Network Black Caucus Supports Michael Brown's Family

Black Caucus of YEO Network X Post dated November 27, 2014

On November 27, 2014, the YEO Network's "National Black Caucus Young Elected Officials" posted a statement on X in support of the family of Michael Brown, who was shot and killed by police after fighting for the police officer's weapon after he shoplifted. The black elected officials responded in the wake of the verdict in favor of the police officer by stating in part that there is a "very real problem of racial inequality that African-Americans have been subject to for centuries".,

The National Black Caucus Young Elected Officials (NBC YEO) stands in solidarity with the family of the late Michael Brown. At this time, we heed the words of Michael's parents who, while deeply disappointed With the outcome of the Ferguson grand jury decision, called for us to "make a positive change and work together to fix the system."

This tragedy and the ensuing decision to not indict Officer Wilson, reminds us that we must continue to have an extensive dialogue at every level of community while we search for solutions to the very real problem of racial inequality that African-Americans have been subject to for centuries. While we live in a global society, we have been led to believe that over the last 15 years the world community possesses a welcoming and inclusive worldview that we, as individuals have. However, in many cities across America, we see this notion of acceptance challenged through acts of violence, bigotry, and discrimination which diminishes the opportunities for equality to be realized.

As President Obama stated on November 24th, the rule of law is in place for all citizens of this country and are there to protect every man and woman to ensure that we have access to a fair and equitable quality of life. Yet, as we examine the aftermath of the Ferguson tragedy, we hope that it implores all community members across the country and globe to recognize and commit to protecting the rights of all citizens, especially those in the African-American community.

Resembling the vision and courage that drove the Civil Rights movement for Social Justice, we cannot afford to allow these actions to go Without a measured and responsible response. By asking how many more black youth have to be killed without purpose, we as the National Black Caucus Young Elected Officials strengthen our resolve and commitment to continuing the fight for equality, social justice and exercising the right to vote. We ask for community members from all cities, counties, states, and counties to stand with us, our YEO colleagues and residents in Missouri (Honorable Maria Chappelle-Nadal, Honorable Michael Butler, Honorable Tishaura Jones, Honorable Clem Smith, and Honorable Jermaine Reed) in this effort to ensure that all our youth and their families receive access to a better quality of life.

America it is #Time2Stand #0urLivesMatter #NBCYEO

In Solidarity,

National Black Caucus Young Elected Officials (nbcyeo@gmail.com)

• Brian Rowland, Prairie View, TX
• Lea Webb, Binghamton, NY
• Rayya A. Ghani, Dolton, IL
• Wendell D. Mosby, Chicago Heights, IL
• Jermaine Reed, Kansas City, MO
• Jacque Rabinson, Pasadena, CA
• Marlon Brown, Mason, MI
• Jeffery Beckham, Jr., Chicago, IL
• Travis Turner, Loves Park, IL
• James Taylor, Winston-Salem, NC
• Craig Rice, Montgomery County, MD
• Nina Morris, Lancaster, TX
• Eric S. Payne, Fresno, CA
• Quentin W. Phipps, Middletown, CT
• Dwight Bullard, Miami, FL
• Jamar Brown, Champaign, IL
• Kerris Lee, Champaign, IL
• Archange Antoine, Roselle, NJ
• Daniel Lavelle, Pittsburgh, PA
• Sam Liebert, Janesville, WI
• Asa Dodsworth, Berkley, CA
• Tiffany D. Thomas, Houston, TX
• Loree Washington, Riverdale, IL
• Robert E. Hunt, Jr., Dolton, IL
• Mandela Barnes, Milwaukee, WI