Miami-Dade CountyStudent led 501(c)(3)Founded 2022
Young people should not have to wait to have power.
Virtutem Populo cultivates civic engagement, leadership, economic understanding and community participation among young people across Miami-Dade County, and gives them real responsibility in public life while they are still in school.
We turn civic learning into civic power.
Twenty one schools compete in our civics championship. Twenty three municipalities have handed a student the chair. One fellowship cohort drafted a business protection framework and carried it into the Board of County Commissioners.
Students should not first encounter government when they are old enough to vote.
01 Educate
Knowledge
History, the Constitution, government structure, economics and media literacy, built through workshops, competitions, learning stations and student written curriculum.
02 Activate
Practice
Competitions, simulations, government access, site visits and interviews, in rooms where students are expected to speak, ask questions and produce something public facing.
03 Advocate
Contribution
Public comment, policy proposals, pitches, journalism and civic art that move an idea toward the people positioned to act on it.
The space we work in
76%
of young people believe their generation has the power to change the country.
40%
of young people say they feel well qualified to participate in politics.
Source: CIRCLE, Tufts University
We work in the space between those two numbers.
The shortage is not belief. It is the invitation. So we hand students an agenda, a microphone, a seat with their name on it and a deadline.
Many doors. One purpose.
Young people enter through different experiences. Some through a competition. Some through local government. Some through art, advocacy or a fellowship.
There is no required path. Our programs are not prerequisites, and no student has to finish one to be eligible for the next.
- A competition
- Local government
- The arts
- Advocacy
- A fellowship
- Volunteering
Programs, in the order we built them
- CDQ Constitution Day Quest Since 2022 The Constitution leaves the textbook.
- CKB Civic Knowledge Bowl Since 2023 Civics, but make it a championship.
- CAP Civic Action Podcast Since 2023 Students ask the questions.
- YGD Youth Governance Day Since 2024 For one day, Miami-Dade changes hands.
- SSBMI Florida Student School Board Member Initiative Since 2024 No decision about students without students.
- CEG Civic Excellence Gala Each May The night the work gets counted.
Attendance tells us who came. Impact tells us what changed.
Drawn from program registration, attendance and organizational records.
21
schools competing in the 2026 Civic Knowledge Bowl, up from twelve.
23
municipalities have handed a student the chair since 2024.
400+
guests at the Civic Excellence Gala.
$120,000+
raised for civic programming since 2022.
This is what the work looks like.
Youth Governance DayThe mayor's seat, nameplate and all, occupied for the day. Civic Knowledge BowlThe auditorium at the 2026 finale. 
Constitution Day QuestA municipal chamber converted into learning stations. 
Strive305 Economic FellowshipA fellow presides from the dais during the Board of County Commissioners simulation. 
Civic Excellence GalaA student delivers the annual address. 
Strive305 Economic FellowshipFellows analyze the Brickell economy from a boardroom above it. 
Civic Knowledge BowlTwo school teams face each other under a live scoreboard. 
Youth Governance DayMunicipal staff walk through how the department is organized. 
Student School Board Member InitiativeThe launch of the Florida Student School Board Member Initiative. 
Constitution Day QuestA constitutional challenge station, worked in teams. 
Youth Governance DaySeated at the commission dais of a participating municipality. 
Civic Knowledge BowlStudents fill the hall for the finale. 
Civic Excellence GalaThe student team recognized at the gala. 
Youth Governance DayA formal municipal recognition, read into the record. 
Constitution Day QuestA student volunteer runs the room from the municipal podium. 
Strive305 Economic FellowshipA public library used as a workspace rather than a lecture hall. 
Civic Knowledge BowlCompetitors confer between questions. 
Youth Governance DayWorking from a municipal office desk, city map on the wall. 
Night of Global EngagementRemarks from the podium. 
Constitution Day QuestTaking the dais to present a group ruling. 
Civic Knowledge BowlA winning school team recognized on stage. 
Youth Governance DayStudying a municipal planning map with city staff. 
Civic Excellence GalaStudents recognized for civic contribution during the year. 
Student School Board Member InitiativeMaking the case for student representation on school boards.
Student led is not a lower standard. It is the operating model.Clint John, Jr., Chief Executive Officer
The people behind it
The chief executive is a student. So are the programming, communications, policy, finance and technology leads, and every program manager.
A board of directors provides governance, fiduciary oversight and mission stewardship. Young people lead the work. Governance protects the mission.
Built with community
Government, education, philanthropy, business, media and the arts.
Since 2022 the work has been built alongside county and municipal offices, a college, a public library system, foundations, newsrooms, law firms and small businesses across Miami-Dade.