From Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic presidential candidate and Oklahoma Rep. Monroe Nichols heading to a runoff election to serve as mayor of our city, we are witnessing what it means to break barriers and redefine what is possible.

Harris stands as the first Black and Asian-American woman nominated on a major party presidential ticket. Nichols is the first Black person to win the most votes in a Tulsa mayoral race, earning a spot in the Nov. 5 runoff against County Commissioner Karen Keith.

This moment is much more than a political milestone. It is both a beacon of hope and a call to action.

Nichols’ campaign is rooted in addressing critical issues like homelessness, education and affordable housing, which resonates with the challenges and aspirations of Tulsa’s youth. His commitment to co-governing with tribal nations and ensuring all voices are heard is reflective of the inclusive leadership our youth need to see in action.

The barrier-breaking campaigns of Harris and Nichols affirm to us all that we belong here, our voices matter, and we have the power to make change in our communities.

The power of this moment is not just in the leaders we see today, it is also in the leaders we are inspiring for tomorrow.

Our youth are actively watching, learning and being motivated by the paths Harris and Nichols have forged. They are seeing that being in the highest levels of leadership roles is not just a distant dream, but an attainable reality.

It is our responsibility as a community to nurture this spark. When we invest in our youth through guiding, mentoring and empowering them, we are not just preparing them for the future; we are actively shaping it.

This is the time to invest in youth leadership development initiatives and continue to create spaces where young people can explore their potential.

There are several youth programs in our city such as C.H.A.M.P.S., My Brother’s Keeper, 100 Black Men of Tulsa and Girls Leading Our World that work to develop and nurture diverse leaders.

The programs provide students from underrepresented communities with the mentorship, resources and support needed to thrive in leadership roles.

C.H.A.M.P.S. promotes academic success, character building and community involvement for young men. My Brother’s Keeper has MBK Sports and the MBK All-Stars that strives to close opportunity gaps providing mentorship, leadership development and skills to succeed in life for boys and young men of color.

100 Black Men of Tulsa provides mentorship with a focus on education, economic empowerment and health while operating with the motto of “What they see is what they’ll be”

Women Empowering Nations’ Girls Leading Our World (GLOW) program is close to my heart and focuses on empowering underrepresented young women and building the next generation of leaders. GLOW provides leadership development programs rooted in mental well-being, social impact, global awareness and post-secondary success.

Through GLOW, young women are equipped with the practical tools and real-world experiences they need to confidently step into leadership roles and thrive.

While there are history-making candidates paving the way, it is our young people who will carry the torch forward. By expanding support for programs like these, Tulsa can continue to foster an environment where young people of all backgrounds see themselves as future leaders.

This is our moment to actively invest in the future leaders of Tulsa and our nation through mentorship, leadership development and creating opportunities for their voices to be heard. This is how we build a community and nation that is not only inclusive, but also innovative to unveil the opportunities and address the challenges of tomorrow.

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