Amber is a proud Houston native with a passion for community, justice, and joyful movement. She studied Sociology and Anthropology at Carleton College, where she began deep work exploring the impact of incarceration on individuals, families, and communities. Through partnerships with organizations like Children of Incarcerated Caregivers and Art From the Inside, Amber advocated for justice-involved families and worked to amplify stories of resilience and reentry. Outside of her organizing and advocacy work, she volunteers in prisons and stands firmly for the liberation of people of color, low-income communities, and those impacted by incarceration. You can often find Amber dancing, laughing, and bringing light wherever she goes.

Brittenay is a connector, advocate, and leader working at the intersection of community, justice, and healing. Based in Charlotte, NC with roots in Southern California, she brings experience in grassroots organizing, nonprofit leadership, and building bridges between communities, local officials, and institutions. As Director of Community Engagement at the Center for Policing Equity, Brittenay leads a team focused on uplifting Black and Brown voices, challenging white supremacy, and centering community-led solutions. Before joining CPE, Brittenay worked across the Greater Charlotte area on critical issues like food insecurity, affordable housing, unemployment, and community safety. She holds a Master’s in Public Administration and a Bachelor's in Sociology, and remains active in civic life through her service on the Charlotte Citizens Review Board and other local organizations. Whether she’s showing up for justice, coordinating a festival, or walking with her Great Dane, London, Brittenay brings heart, joy, and purpose into every space she enters.

Cameron is a dedicated servant-leader with a heart for justice and a passion for community. A proud graduate of Mississippi State University, he earned dual degrees in Political Science and Communication with a concentration in Theatre. From student government to grassroots organizing, Cameron’s leadership has always centered around advocacy, equity, and youth empowerment. His journey has included working on political campaigns, interning with public interest organizations, and leading youth programs like Mississippi HOBY. Rooted in a deep belief in the power of the law to uplift and protect marginalized communities, Cameron is pursuing a path toward becoming a civil rights attorney. With a focus on public interest and constitutional advocacy, he brings a spirit of resilience, purpose, and joy to every space he enters—and is just getting started.

Cynthia is a passionate organizer and advocate rooted in the North Shore of Massachusetts. A graduate of Salem State University, she brings experience in political organizing, campaign strategy, and student leadership to every space she enters. While at Salem State, she served as a Resident Assistant and as a Viking Votes Ambassador with the Center for Civic Engagement. She also completed a workshop on How to Run for Office, which helped her build both the skills and the confidence to lead and support campaigns. Cynthia has contributed to political efforts across the state, including working on Warren for Senate and volunteering for Mayor Michelle Wu’s campaign in Boston. Whether mobilizing student voters on campus or organizing in communities for change, Cynthia believes in the power of human kind to harmonize, communicate, and take grassroots action to advance justice for all.

Gem is an organizer, motivational speaker, and advocate committed to building a more just and compassionate world. Rooted in restorative justice and lived experience, Gem works to ensure justice-involved individuals have real opportunities to rebuild their lives with dignity, purpose, and support. Whether speaking in Congress or hosting healing-centered events, she uses her voice to uplift others and drive change at every level. Gem has led powerful initiatives like the Fair Chance Hiring Project with Verizon and the Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth, a national domestic violence self-assessment tool with the Center for Effective Public Policy, and Arkansas's Day of Empathy with Dream.org. Through reentry support, workforce development, and systemic reform, Gem is proof of what’s possible when we invest in people—not punishment. She continues to show up with love, vision, and bold advocacy for those most often left behind.

Jamie is a lifelong organizer, advocate, and public health leader with a deep commitment to equity, inclusion, and community power. Based in Georgia, he brings experience in grassroots organizing, political strategy, and public service. From his early days as a Youth Ambassador with Advocates for Youth to leading HIV prevention efforts at the Georgia Department of Public Health and NAESM, Inc., Jamie has centered LGBTQ+ health and racial equity in every step of his journey. Jamie has played key roles in high-stakes campaigns, including those of President Barack Obama, Stacey Abrams, and Senators Ossoff and Warnock. As a former Senior Policy Advisor at the Georgia State Capitol, he championed legislation for working families and underserved communities. He currently serves as the Prevention Program Manager at Someone Cares of Atlanta and as Southern Regional Director of Delta Phi Upsilon Fraternity, Inc.

LaDonna is a purpose-driven leader, educator, and advocate rooted in West Jackson, Mississippi. As the founder of Spreading Hope Co., she works to break cycles of generational poverty through financial literacy, mentorship, and spiritual empowerment. A licensed real estate agent and former CFO of a real estate company, LaDonna has helped families take steps toward homeownership and financial freedom—always with a heart for service. Beyond her professional work, LaDonna is committed to giving back. She volunteers with organizations like the Gateway Mission, Stewpot, and the Little Light House, and mentors young women at Jackson State University and Tougaloo College. A proud Fall 2024 graduate and Student Marshal of Jackson State University, she’s been accepted into Howard University’s MBA program. Through faith, education, and care, LaDonna is building a legacy of hope and leading others to do the same.

Mamie is a lifelong advocate, organizer, and faith-led leader with deep roots in Mississippi’s civil rights movement. As the Branch & Unit Organizer for the Mississippi State Conference NAACP, she carries forward the legacy of Medgar Evers by strengthening local branches and building grassroots power across the state. A Gold Life Member of the NAACP, Mamie has devoted years to advancing justice and equity through volunteer work and community organizing. She holds a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a Master’s in Organizational Leadership in Business from Belhaven University, and is a proud graduate of the Mississippi Black Leadership Institute under Congressman Bennie Thompson. A devoted mother, grandmother, and widow, Mamie remains active in her church, Mt. Zion MB, and her sorority, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Her life and leadership are guided by her favorite scripture: “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.”

Mariah is a passionate advocate and community organizer rooted in the coalfields of southern West Virginia. With a deep connection to the land and industry that shaped their upbringing, they work tirelessly to address the challenges of extraction, pollution, and labor justice. As the Southern West Virginia Coordinator for the West Virginia Rivers Coalition, Mariah supports communities in building capacity and organizing around key environmental and public health issues. From clean drinking water to flood resiliency, river conservation, and the impact of data centers, Mariah is dedicated to uplifting local voices and advocating for sustainable solutions that protect their community’s land, resources, and future.

M. is a dedicated advocate and the current Director of Digital Organizing & Communications at Freedom Oklahoma. They also served as the former State Representative for Oklahoma’s 88th House District, where they worked on key issues like criminal justice reform and LGBTQ+ rights. Before their time in office, M. was a Field Organizer for the ACLU of Oklahoma, focusing on the intersections of criminal justice reform. Raised in a multi-faith home, M. grew up attending HIV/AIDS awareness and LGBTQ+ advocacy events alongside their mother, fostering a lifelong commitment to community care and social justice. M. has played a key role in landmark legislation, including retroactive HIV decriminalization, as well as advocating for 2SLGBTQ+ and SGL civil rights. Passionate about intersectional care, M. continues to fight for justice and equality in all spaces they occupy.Tevin has performed his poetry at places like Ice event center and East Side Pizza House. In 2016, Tevin graduated from Heritage Hall Upper School and earned a scholarship to the United States Air Force Academy. He then started to pursue his passion for organizing and activism, where he stood for Food Justice in Texas, and Black Lives in OKC, and facilitated professional development trainings at high schools, and with religious and organizing groups around the OKC area. Tevin is an anime enthusiast and lover of Heath Ledger’s Joker. "

Mykayla is a passionate advocate committed to addressing health and education disparities, with a focus on the social determinants of health. Blending her background in public health with a focus on education as a tool for systemic change, Mykayla has dedicated her career to advancing equity. Most recently, she supported future educators at Georgia State University’s teacher residency program, where she saw firsthand how access to quality education impacts health outcomes, economic mobility, and generational progress. Her experiences as a Community Captain for the Stacey Abrams for Governor campaign and as a CARES Fellow with BLKHLTH have deepened her understanding of the power of policy, advocacy, and community organizing. Mykayla is driven by a passion for community-rooted solutions, coalition-building, and advancing people-centered policies to achieve racial justice. She views the Organizing Accelerator Fellowship as an opportunity to sharpen her organizing skills, expand her advocacy toolkit, and connect with others committed to justice and liberation.

Sa-tae is the Manager of Community Organizing for the Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law and Justice. A proud native of Oklahoma, Sa-tae hails from the Cherokee, Muscogee, and Euchee (Yuchi) tribes, and is Deer Clan, belonging to the Kellyville Euchee Polecat Ceremonial Grounds—a tradition that has been passed down through generations. This cultural heritage plays a significant role in Sa-tae’s personal and professional life, and he is committed to ensuring it is shared with future generations. With a B.S. in Business Administration and a minor in Sociology, Sa-tae has dedicated his career to supporting Indigenous families. He has worked for both the Cherokee Nation and the Muscogee Nation, starting in the Indian Child Welfare Department and later serving as the Tribal Juvenile Justice Program Manager for the Muscogee Nation. In this role, he was responsible for ensuring that juvenile justice services were culturally appropriate for Indigenous youth. Sa-tae has represented the values of his Tribal Nations across the U.S., advising federal agencies and non-profits working with Indigenous communities and advocating for cultural humility when engaging with marginalized youth.

Sophia’s journey in social justice began with creating care packages for migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, and throughout high school, she was committed to addressing the needs of her community. From tutoring English as a Second Language (ESL) students to direct advocacy, Sophia’s passion for making a meaningful impact has guided her work. As she pursued higher education, Sophia became deeply aware of the barriers facing undocumented and first-generation/low-income (FGLI) students. This realization fueled her commitment to educational equity. At Yale, she expanded her advocacy efforts, focusing on supporting historically excluded communities. Sophia has mentored over 100 FGLI high school seniors, guiding them through the college application process and helping them navigate higher education. Her advocacy now extends to migrant students, international students, and incarcerated individuals, as she continues to work towards dismantling the systemic barriers they face in accessing educational opportunities.

Tari is the Organizing Director at Greater Birmingham Ministries (GBM), where she leads efforts to advocate for criminal justice reform, the restoration of voting rights, and civic engagement. With a rich background as a former prosecutor, law professor, and community organizer, Tari draws from her personal experiences as a directly impacted individual to educate and advocate on issues related to justice and systems change. At GBM, Tari is responsible for leading grassroots organizing efforts, fostering leadership development, and building coalitions that align with the organization’s mission to build community, pursue justice, and serve people. Her work is centered around empowering individuals and communities to drive transformative change. Tari has held key positions at The Empowerment Alliance and the University of Alabama School of Law, where she served as an adjunct professor and Assistant Dean of Public Interest Law. She has also been a member of the Alabama Advisory Committee to the U.S. Civil Rights Commission.

Tavia Pennington is a passionate photographer, videographer, and storyteller who uses the craft of photography to highlight the strength, beauty, and resilience of communities. As the founder of Natural Elementz Studios, Tay specializes in personalized lifestyle portraits, therapeutic visual projects, and documenting community events. Tay's work is driven by a deep belief in the healing power of art and the importance of authentic storytelling. Tay is committed to creating spaces where people feel seen, heard, and valued, especially within mental health and social justice circles. Through Tay's imagery, Tay aims to inspire growth, connection, and hope. Tay approach blends creativity with purpose, fostering environments where individuals can reflect on their journeys and find empowerment in their stories. Currently, Tay is expanding Tay's reach through a documentary series titled Faith, Justice, and the Call to Serve, which highlights personal journeys rooted in faith and service.

Zion is a dedicated servant leader, strategic organizer, and advocate for historically marginalized communities. As a rising senior at Howard University, he is the visionary founder of Howard on the Hill, an initiative that has brought over 200 students from diverse backgrounds into direct engagement with U.S. Senators, Members of Congress, and senior staff. His efforts have facilitated important conversations on the Freedom to Vote Act with Senator Cory Booker, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and the Senate Rules Committee, as well as discussions with Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley and Congressman Gregory Meeks. Zion’s experience extends across the national political stage, having interned for Congressman James Clyburn, supported high-profile Democratic National Committee events, and worked on the advance teams for President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff. As a White House Intern in the Office of Scheduling and Advance, Zion contributed to the Biden Administration’s closing events and organized impactful discussions with senior officials, including OMB Director Shalanda Young and members of the EPA on climate policy. At Howard University, Zion is the Political Action Chair of the NAACP, where he led the Voter Registration Check initiative, registering hundreds of students and partnering with the Office of the Dean of the Chapel to protect the votes of senior citizens.