CONTRIBUTED BY MILLENIAL ACTION PROJECT
WASHINGTON, D.C. —
The Millennial Action Project (MAP) announced last week the awardees of the 2022 Rising Star Awards. The Rising Star Awards recognize lawmakers who embody MAP’s mission to transcend political polarization through public service.
The fifth annual Rising Star Award was presented to Alabama State Rep. Jeremy Gray (D) and Arkansas State Rep. Aaron Pilkington (R). Both representatives are co-chairs of the Future Caucus in their respective states. The Future Caucus is a bipartisan caucus that convenes young and innovative legislators from both sides of the aisle to work on the issues facing Gen Z, Millennials and future generations.
Gray represents state House District 83 in Alabama. He is the Democratic co-chair of the Alabama Future Caucus.
Through the Future Caucus, he has consistently demonstrated bipartisan leadership, working across the aisle alongside his young Republican colleagues to help pass impactful policy, including legislation that lifted the 28-year ban on yoga in Alabama’s K-12 schools. Gray serves as the Minority Whip in the Alabama House of Representatives.
Recently, he was nominated by Alabama’s Gov. Kay Ivey to serve on the Alabama Statewide Health Coordinating Council and Innovate Alabama.
The awards reception was held on Tuesday, Dec. 13 at The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute. It was an evening to remember with special guests Congressman Blake Moore (R-UT), co-chair of MAP’s Congressional Future Caucus; along with Robby Soave and Briahna Joy Gray, co-hosts of “Rising” on The Hill TV.
“We’re better than where we were 50 years ago, and we’re going to be in a better place 50 years from today because of the people in this room,” Pilkington said. “I’m proud to be a part of Millennial Action Project and honored to receive this recognition. The future depends on the success of these efforts that support leaders who may differ in ideology but work hard to find common ground to solve the issues that impact us all.”
Gray said there aren’t that many people in Alabama in the legislature that are under the age of 40.
“[MAP] did a great job at engaging me, and once I understood the importance of bipartisanship among millennials, I was really on board,” Gray said. “ … Although I get to receive this award tonight, it’s really about the people back at home — my grandmother, mother, people in the community who uplifted me, voted for me and put me in the position to serve when I was told I was too young.”
Layla Zaidane, president and CEO of MAP, said that MAP is changing America.
“Through empathy and collaboration, they are not only setting an example for the future, but also for the present”, she said. “We are delighted to honor Rep. Gray with this award. He has proven himself to be an effective advocate for Millennials and young people, and a champion of bipartisanship. We are inspired by his commitment to build a better future, and we sincerely congratulate him.”