Kendrionne Anderson

Age: 20

Pronouns: she/they

School/Work: Grinnell College, Junior

Goal after the Fellowship: I would like to have accomplished speaking out as a mental health advocate and putting forth policies for accessible mental health to the communities’ youth.

Young people have a voice, and should we be allowed to use it. What we have to say is important, and sometimes all we want is to be heard."

Julio Bermudez

Age: 24

Pronouns: he/him

School/Work: Logistics Coordinator,
Son of a Saint

Goal after the Fellowship: To expand my network and create connections that can benefit mentees in the Son of a Saint program.

"Young people have the largest ability to create change in the community. It is important that young people feel they have a voice. Youth in the city need to participate in programs that create safe environments for their well-being."

Nakeshia Buckner

Age: 19

Pronouns: she/her

School/Work: The NET, Alumni

Goal after the Fellowship: The four goals I would like to accomplish after this fellowship are consistency, organization, self- management and flexibility.

"I think it's important for youth to be our leaders. I think I can make a difference."

Jordan Colin

Age: 18

Pronouns: he/him

School/Work: Illinois
Wesleyan University, Freshman

Goal after the Fellowship: I will accomplish my personal goal of becoming a mainstream, international, touring, performing artist while using my platform to push boundaries.

"I believe that young people who love the city will want to see change and do whatever they can if they know that there is a possibility for positive change."

Asia Hentkowski

Age: 21

Pronouns: she/her

School/Work: Loyola University,
B.S. in political science;
Chief Judge Terri Love,
4th Circuit Court of Appeal

Goal after the Fellowship: I plan on pursuing a career in international relations working as a senior policy analyst. Eventually, I would like to create my own non-profit in New Orleans that ensures accessible resources like internship programs, business etiquette workshops, health education, and financial literacy.

"I'd like to learn how to further my leadership capabilities and continue to better serve the city's youth. NOYA is providing much needed resources for the youth leaders of our city; I want to be apart of that."

Re’kal Hooker

Age: 18

Pronouns: she/her

School/Work: Living School

Goal after the Fellowship: I would like to be a leader in my community and I would also like to know how to write grants.

"As a future teacher, and leader for the Black community, I want to be apart of the change and I know NOYA will be that step for me."

Melissa Lombard

Age: 20

Pronouns: she/her

School/Work: University of New Orleans, Sophomore

Goal after the Fellowship: I want to better schools for Black and Brown youth. I believe that starting with their schools can greatly improve their future.

"Young people are the future of society. We have more power to change the way people think. Young people have the sight needed to change the future. "

Zaire Moore

Age: 18

Pronouns: he/him

School/Work: Benjamin Franklin High School

Goal after the Fellowship: My current goal after the fellowship is to continue my college journey of studying pre-med psychology and eventually working as a psychiatrist in New Orleans.

"If our city doesn’t push enough awareness for an issue, it’s up to us to spread the information. The youth of today have the ability to influence social change."

Wynn Williams

Age: 20

Pronouns: he/him

School/Work: Southern University and A&M College, Sophomore

Goal after the Fellowship: I want to improve my confidence and enhance my professional skills.

"It is very important for young people to be leaders in their communities to show their peers that it’s okay to do the right thing. They all wanna be 'cool' but they need to understand it is also cool to be a leader and have a good heart."