Forward Promise Welcomes Cohort for 2023 Fellowship for Leaders
Organizers training youth to lead systems change efforts. Healers challenging internalized oppression with authentic storytelling. Teachers embracing traditions that affirm the wisdom of their cultures. Artists creating safe spaces for youth to reclaim their humanity. Warriors disrupting dehumanization to reverse generations of harm.
These are just a few examples of the powerful work our latest cohort of Forward Promise Fellows is doing in their communities, and we are excited to collaborate with them as they continue to advance healing, growing, and thriving. Over the next 12 months, this intergenerational group of 20 social changemakers will build their own community of care. They will ground themselves by devoting time to their healing and will engage with frameworks to disrupt dehumanization and implement culturally responsive healing practices.
Our 2023 Fellows are:
- Lashon Amado – Community Organizer
- Kiara Aranda (she/her) – Youth Advocate
- Bettina Byrd-Giles (she/her) – Narrative Storyteller
- Kevin Carter (he/him) – Leader, Trainer, and Healer
- Keola Chan (he/him) – Healer and Educator
- Nicole Crooks (she/her) – Educator and Community Organizer
- Janay Eustace (she/her) – Youth Advocate and Organizer
- Melanie Funchess (she/her) – Educator, Coach, and Healer
- Bernard “Bernie” Gomez (he/him) – Healer and Racial Justice Advocate
- Joy Harrell (she/her) – Arts Educator and Healer
- Christian Jaimes (she/her) – Youth Advocate
- Phougha Kongmanichanh (he/him) – Healer and Community Organizer
- Jermaine McCorey (he/him) – Community Health Leader
- Ruby Mendenhall (she/her) – Trainer and Healer
- Michael Milton (he/him) – Transformative Justice Advocate
- Bruce Purnell (he/him) – Coach, Healer, and Entrepreneur
- Fran Rodriguez (she/her) – Mentor and Entrepreneur
- Bao Vue (she/her/they/them) – Storyteller, Healer, and Entrepreneur
- Taylor Mary Webber-Fields (she/her/they/them) – Community Organizer, Circle Keeper, and Wellness Practitioner
- Jamari Michael White (he/him) – Seer, Healer, and Entrepreneur
And we invite you to welcome them to our Forward Promise Village!
Follow us on your favorite social media platforms to get to know each Fellow.