Generation Engage, a nonpartisan group started after the 2004 elections to help boost young adults' civic involvement, recently launched operations in Charlotte.

The group will host a kickoff event, which will feature a keynote video Internet address with former Secretary of State Colin Powell, at 7 p.m. Friday at the Levine Museum of the New South.

Local elected officials also will be on hand to talk about area issues and take questions.

Attendees will get to ask questions of Powell during the event, which will also be broadcast in Miami and Aspen, Colo., where Powell will be talking.

Similar talks have been popular for Generation Engage nationwide. Speakers have included former President Bill Clinton and actor and director Spike Lee.

The group launched in North Carolina in 2005, with other pilots in Virginia and New York also debuting that year. It has since expanded to Florida and California with support from the Knight Foundation.

The main focus is to create a dialogue among young adults about issues in their community and offer opportunities for them to get involved, said Rod Garvin, a Charlotte area coordinator. That's different from efforts such as "Rock the Vote" or "Vote or Die," which aim to get youth to cast ballots.

"Obviously voting is an important part of (the democratic process)," Garvin said. "But it (also) requires that we be involved year-round having the conversation on a daily basis."

Generation Engage targets ages 18-29, with a special emphasis on those who haven't attended college. They're most likely to be disenfranchised, said Decker Ngongang, Charlotte area coordinator.

Want to Go?

What:Generation Engage Internet chat with Gen. Colin Powell and other leaders. The event's theme is "Young Leaders and public service: effecting global change through local action."

When: 7-9 p.m. Friday.

Where: Levine Museum of the New South, 200 E. Seventh Street in Charlotte

RSVPs are not required, but can be sent to rod.garvin@generationengage.org.