PUTTING IDEAS IN MOTION

PUTTING IDEAS IN MOTION

Our journeys change lives.

In traveling across our nation, we gain a newfound understanding of the country and its vast potential. And we help others see it too: by showcasing innovations at local hubs and advancing creative projects in the localities where our train stops.

Over the course of five years, through direct engagement with creative, civic-minded, and entrepreneurial leaders in over 20 US cities, MTP established itself as one of the world's most innovative platforms for trans-regional connectivity and leadership development.

Ultimately, the impact of our work will be borne out over the coming decades.

The best is yet to come.

JOURNEYS THAT BUILD LEADERS

JULIA RHEE | STORYTELLER

The Counter Generation

PROJECT
Julia Rhee, the daughter of first generation immigrant entrepreneurs used her MTP journey to document and share the experience of small business owners and immigrant communities across America.

OUTCOME
Julia shared her findings through a blog and connected with on-train mentors from the US Small Business Administration. She is in the process of presenting the SBA with a strategy for helping to invigorate immigrant-led business communities.

MATTHEW STEPP | POLICY MAKER

Energy Innovation Across America

PROJECT
Matthew is an energy policy analyst who used the MTP journey to meet with local energy innovators and tour national energy laboratories.

OUTCOME
Matthew started Center for Clean Energy Innovation - a non-profit after MTP and authored congressional legislation based on insights gained from journey.

CAMERON HARDESTY | POET

Picturing Poetry

PROJECT
Cameron, a White House speechwriter, used the MTP journey to explore her passion for poetry by building and photographing public poetry installations in each city.

OUTCOME
Cameron displayed her work at a gallery show and strengthened her personal identity as an artist.

NATE CONROY | SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR

STEMHERO

PROJECT
Nate from Milwaukee met with school boards in each MTP destination to pitch his education technology start-up product.

OUTCOME
Nate sold his technology product to the Minneapolis education district and won his first customer outside his hometown.

ACASIA OLSON | COMMUNITY HEALER

EMBRACE HEALING

PROJECT
Acasia Olson, a community organizer based in Seattle, facilitated group dialogues around racial healing in each MTP destination.

OUTCOME
Acasia gained trans-regional perspective on attitudes towards race and enabled challenging but important conversations that built bridges between diverse communities.

JOURNEYS THAT CHANGE LIVES

"Each city we visited made the journey that much more unique and special. I felt like part of a community and network that believes in the vision of this generation."Autumn Carter, Los Altos, CA — "Each city we visited made the journey that much more unique and special. I felt like part of a community and network that believes in the vision of this generation."
Autumn Carter, Los Altos, CA

"There is something incredible about being on a train with 23 other people who are actively pursuing what they are passionate about simultaneously. The vibrancy of that feeling is so difficult to explain. There's nothing else like it."Sean Kolodzie… — "There is something incredible about being on a train with 23 other people who are actively pursuing what they are passionate about simultaneously. The vibrancy of that feeling is so difficult to explain. There's nothing else like it."
Sean Kolodziej, Hastings, MN

"This trip isn't about getting an A on a test, it's about honing your internal creativity and zeal for the future."Ann Yang, Longmont, CO — "This trip isn't about getting an A on a test, it's about honing your internal creativity and zeal for the future."
Ann Yang, Longmont, CO

"I learned that the Millennial Generation is providing hope."Matthew Stepp, Washington, DC — "I learned that the Millennial Generation is providing hope."
Matthew Stepp, Washington, DC

"I learned to not be afraid to have big ideas."Catherine Meyer, New York, NY — "I learned to not be afraid to have big ideas."
Catherine Meyer, New York, NY

"The entire trip puts you in a place where you don't forget any moment of it."Margaret Kargbo, Atlanta, GA — "The entire trip puts you in a place where you don't forget any moment of it."
Margaret Kargbo, Atlanta, GA

“I learned that innovation is all about connections."Gregory Wilson, Athens, GA — “I learned that innovation is all about connections."
Gregory Wilson, Athens, GA

"I loved it all. Whether it was gazing out of the dome into the corn fields or watching the Chicago skyline as we entered the rail yards, or Pioneer Journey Sessions for self-reflection, everything was excellent."Lakshmi Gopalakrishnan, Bangalore, … — "I loved it all. Whether it was gazing out of the dome into the corn fields or watching the Chicago skyline as we entered the rail yards, or Pioneer Journey Sessions for self-reflection, everything was excellent."
Lakshmi Gopalakrishnan, Bangalore, India

"You get a chance to feel the weight of the journey by constantly reflecting on what has come before and what will come after."Travis Korte, Washington, DC — "You get a chance to feel the weight of the journey by constantly reflecting on what has come before and what will come after."
Travis Korte, Washington, DC

"We created a community that valued creativity, curiosity, collaboration, and introspection. We challenged each other to push our ideas further."Jason D'Mello, Louisville, KY — "We created a community that valued creativity, curiosity, collaboration, and introspection. We challenged each other to push our ideas further."
Jason D'Mello, Louisville, KY

"MTP has an architectural envelope: there's the inside, the mechanics, the winding gears, the elbow grease -- and there's the outward facing dimension: 20th century American rail innovation that reminds us innovation is as old as humanity." Li… — "MTP has an architectural envelope: there's the inside, the mechanics, the winding gears, the elbow grease -- and there's the outward facing dimension: 20th century American rail innovation that reminds us innovation is as old as humanity."
Lindsea Wilbur, Honolulu, Hawaii

"The Millennial Trains Project is a group of aggressively, impatiently optimistic young people coming together."Sacha Simmons, Washington, DC — "The Millennial Trains Project is a group of aggressively, impatiently optimistic young people coming together."
Sacha Simmons, Washington, DC

"It rejuvenated me and reawakened a real interest in developing my own art."Cameron Hardesty, Washington, DC — "It rejuvenated me and reawakened a real interest in developing my own art."
Cameron Hardesty, Washington, DC

"MTP is a 2-week long think tank on rails. It brings together Millennials and mentors, providing a unique opportunity for personal development and shared discovery."Samantha Klein, New York, NY — "MTP is a 2-week long think tank on rails. It brings together Millennials and mentors, providing a unique opportunity for personal development and shared discovery."
Samantha Klein, New York, NY

"At the beginning, I thought it was all about projects, but it evolved as we were on the train."Katelyn Bryant-Comstock, Chapel Hill, NC — "At the beginning, I thought it was all about projects, but it evolved as we were on the train."
Katelyn Bryant-Comstock, Chapel Hill, NC

"It's a good time to ponder some big picture questions and think about what kind of legacy we want to leave behind."Monica Gray, Washington, DC — "It's a good time to ponder some big picture questions and think about what kind of legacy we want to leave behind."
Monica Gray, Washington, DC

"I learned a lot about myself as an artist and the value of what I do for a living."Alison Carney, Mt. Rainier, MD — "I learned a lot about myself as an artist and the value of what I do for a living."
Alison Carney, Mt. Rainier, MD

"You really take a reflective journey as you go on this physical journey."Amanda Itliong, Rochester Hills, MI — "You really take a reflective journey as you go on this physical journey."
Amanda Itliong, Rochester Hills, MI

"What I thought would be a cool trip across the U.S. by train was so much more. [It] was an incredible way to learn about the intersection of innovation, community spaces, entrepreneurship and philanthropy."Lindsay Patross, Pittsburgh, PA — "What I thought would be a cool trip across the U.S. by train was so much more. [It] was an incredible way to learn about the intersection of innovation, community spaces, entrepreneurship and philanthropy."
Lindsay Patross, Pittsburgh, PA

"I learned a lot about America. I've been inspired by the beauty of this country, the determination of everyone on the train, and the people I've met along the way."Meghan Mason, Middlebury, VT — "I learned a lot about America. I've been inspired by the beauty of this country, the determination of everyone on the train, and the people I've met along the way."
Meghan Mason, Middlebury, VT

"Our generation is going to accomplish a lot more than people think."Web Barr, Washington, DC — "Our generation is going to accomplish a lot more than people think."
Web Barr, Washington, DC

"Being able to experience the breadth of the country from the dome car was something not to be missed!"Malcolm Kenton, Washington, DC — "Being able to experience the breadth of the country from the dome car was something not to be missed!"
Malcolm Kenton, Washington, DC

"This train is like a trail-blazer creating a fire across the whole country."Ashyka Dave, San Francisco, CA — "This train is like a trail-blazer creating a fire across the whole country."
Ashyka Dave, San Francisco, CA

The Millennial Trains Project is educating a new generation of leaders through great adventures that balance self-actualization with shared discovery.

Our journeys spark change, support the development of purpose-driven leaders, and inspire audiences to be fearless in pursuing their dreams.