Andrea Dyson

Issue Area: Education

Goal after the Fellowship: I want to be able to reform New Orleans education to be less focused on passing tests more toward students actually conceptualizing their lessons in a way that seems useful to them

“The best way to fix a problem is to start with the root, and I feel that the youth are the most capable of recognizing the root problems of their communities.”

Jonshell Johnson

Issue Area: Housing,
Environmental Justice

Goal after the Fellowship: The main goal is to at least acquire one acre of land, or acquire at least two abandoned houses to develop them into affordable housing, or a small black-owned business.

“The renting cycle forced upon low-income families is an economic giant I am willing to fight. Every family deserves a stable, affordable, and comfortable home to raise their families and to attain generational wealth.”

Shawn Kelly

Issue Area: Housing,
Environmental Justice

Goal after the Fellowship: I would like to gain bigger network of dedicated professionals who are willing to address environmental issues in our city and nationally.

“Young people have the ideas, willpower, and knowledge of the internet to bring significant change in their communities. We will be the generation that betters our communities, our cities, and our planet.”

Ahmaad Lott

Issue Area: Housing,
Environmental Justice

Goal after the Fellowship: I want to be able to provide and expand positive opportunities of growth and learning for youth that have been disconnected from education and job experiences.

“I believe young people have boundless potential when it comes to creating change within their communities. Young people, when given proper support, have the curiosity, the energy, and the passion to make things better.”

Lavonte Lucas

Issue Area: Economic Workforce Development, Criminal Justice

Goal after the Fellowship: One goal that I would love to accomplish is building a cohesive website for my media business to thrive.

“Our future is dependent on what we teach [young people], for they hold limitless potential and we must utilize their energy to create change in our communities.”

Jasmine Mitchell-Williams

Issue Area: Criminal Justice,
Environmental Justice

Goal after the Fellowship: One goal I would have like to accomplished by the end of this journey is my networking skills and being able to establish valuable connections. My second goal is to use those networking skills to build a foundation that will improve the water we consume and the water we are surrounded by.

“Young people reflect on what they have seen, and modify behaviors to resolve new issues at hand. Being a leader at a young age makes it easier to see what’s been done and make improvements.”

Myron Miller

Issue Area: Housing,
Environmental Justice

Goal after the Fellowship: I would like to be a board member of an organization where I can bring real change to the organization and represent my community and young people in general. I would like be a commissioner on the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission.

“It is very important for young people to be leaders in their communities because we are the change agent… we can help change decisions that affect us by helping people see it from our point of view.”

Tiane Oliver

Issue Area: Education,
Mental Health

Goal after the Fellowship: I hope to one day work closely with an organization that advocates for mental health services for young black students, and students dealing with trauma.

“Young people live at the intersection of those who face the effects of economic disparities and those who have the ability to analyze and shape the systems that enact them. Therefore, youth MUST be taught to be gatekeepers of the spaces they inhabit, rather than passive observants.”

Alexis Reed

Issue Area: Housing

Goal after the Fellowship: My goal after completing the fellowship is to serve disenfranchised communities within New Orleans for economic advancement by: being a liaison to help bridge the gap between resources, connections and opportunities and local entrepreneurs and artists of color; assisting in planning/hosting events; and advocating for social change by serving on a board.

“Young people can evoke change because we’re the generation of change. With our determination and more support from our communities, we can support so much more. If we have more support, then we can accomplish so much more.”

Joshua Young

Issue Area: Criminal Justice

Goal after the Fellowship: I would like to educate myself more on re-entry, and rehabilitation policy to understand where current policy regarding these issues is deficient. Then, I would like to create policy that will address issues and remedy current or future problems.

“The innovative thinking young people possess from growing up in their communities allows them to understand the new issues and emerging challenges.”