Civics is our moral obligation to stand for what is right, not just as Americans, but as humans. Using our voices to help work for each other. This is what it’s all about: to serve the common good.
We’ve made these invincible barriers that make engagement, specifically in civics, almost impossible for single parents working two jobs, immigrants assimilating to their new city, and veterans who fought for years for this country. Those who love their communities and embrace their identity have been counted out.
Many young people of color are stereotyped as uninterested or unprepared, when in reality, institutions have not made space for their voices. That’s why I started Arelvo.
Arelvo’s mission is to bridge that gap by placing racially diverse youth — particularly those from Black, Middle Eastern, Hispanic, Asian-American, and Indigenous communities — at the center of policy conversations. Arelvo operates on one core principle: All for one, one for all. The only way we can make a change is if we all collectively work for change.
Arelvo helps students discover who they are while becoming leaders in their communities. We have reached people in more than 19 countries and 31 U.S. states across 28 chapters and 3,000+ members. We’ve been honored to work with more than 70 speakers from Tennessee state agencies, the U.S. Department of State, the federal House of Representatives and more. Arelvo has provided me the opportunity to organize 12 global events, with programs in regions such as Lebanon, Cameroon, Ghana, Morocco, Namibia, Los Angeles, and more.
Looking back, I feel like learning to lead with purpose was one of my biggest areas of improvement while starting Arelvo. For a long time, I was constantly moving through interests: robotics, STEM, sports. I was busy but not effective. I started taking time before taking action. That shift from doing everything to doing the right things transformed my view.
As a student who is usually the youngest in the room, I used to feel like I had to prove I belonged. Now I know my background is why my perspective matters. Arelvo is about building a world where young people can show up as themselves and know they matter.
My three takeaways:
› Focus on what actually moves the mission forward. Be genuine about your “why.” When things get challenging, that reminder keeps you focused on what matters.
› Work hard. Real work isn’t cakes and candles. It’s follow-up emails nobody answers. It’s logistics that take hours. It’s showing up when nothing’s working. That’s where progress happens. People will underestimate you because you’re young. Outwork their expectations so completely that they have no choice but to take you seriously.
› Listen before talking. The best ideas for Arelvo came from listening. It’s truly important to take a step back and think. A Tennessee deputy commissioner told me: “Be open. Sometimes the other guy might be right. You can learn from another perspective.” That stuck with me. Create space for people to talk before jumping to solutions.
I believe actions are driven by intention, and every person will get what they intended. My intention here goes beyond registering more voters and increasing turnout. My goal is to impact who gets treated in our democracy, who gets listened to when decisions are made, and who sees themselves reflected in others.
Majdi Alameddine is a senior at Boyd Buchanan School and the founder of Arelvo. Contact him at majdalameddine2@gmail.com.