We're often told that to make a difference, we need "a seat at the table." But what if that's a trap? In this compelling talk, Oluwaferanmi Oladepo shares his journey from an idealistic youth leader to a pragmatic change-maker. He reveals how occupying a seat in a state youth parliament taught him a crucial lesson: that access and titles do not automatically equal impact. He argues that the true path to influence lies not in waiting for permission, but in a three-pillar framework: Develop Before You Demand to become an invaluable expert; Create Parallel Structures to build new pathways for change; and Earn Trust with Results to prove your value beyond a title. This talk is a powerful call for young leaders to move past the superficiality of symbolic inclusion and embrace the hard work of creating meaningful, measurable change from wherever they are. Oluwaferanmi Oladepo is a youth advocate and emerging technology leader reshaping how young people drive change in Nigeria. As an engineering student at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, he blends technical expertise in AI and software development with a deep commitment to civic engagement.At 18, he became the youngest member of the Oyo State Youth Parliament, pushing beyond symbolic representation to deliver real impact—from co-leading policy initiatives to coordinating a voter registration drive that empowered over 2,000 young voters. As Secretary-General of the EU Youth Sounding Board Nigeria, he ensures youth voices influence decision-making directly and meaningfully.Beyond policy, Oluwaferanmi uses technology as a force for good. His AI research on climate solutions earned him selection among just 30 global participants for the prestigious Climate Change AI Summer School in Canada, where he developed predictive models for agricultural resilience. As a Microsoft Certified Azure AI Engineer and multiple hackathon winner, he leads digital skills training programs that equip young people for the future, bridging the gap between cutting-edge technology and grassroots empowerment.Through his work, he challenges the idea that leadership is just about having a seat at the table. Instead, he champions a new vision: creating spaces defined by courage, skills, and action — inspiring a generation to move beyond the surface and build the change they want to see. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx