Meet the Fellows
Join us in celebrating the sixth cohort of fellows for the 2026-27 Black Futures Policy Institute! Get to know the newest cohort in our powerful network of more than 120 alumni leaders and changemakers who are building Black political power across 21 states and Washington, D.C.
This inspiring and talented cohort of 31 members brings together a wealth of experience and knowledge in the focus areas of democracy and voting rights; the economy and economic security; families, public health and healthcare; structural barriers; and the criminal-legal system.
Every year, we ask our fellows to reflect upon the following question: “What does your Black Future look like?” Scroll down below to learn more about our fellows and to read their responses.
*Illustrations by EP Designs. Follow Enoch Pugh at @ep.designstudio
Black Lives Matter Grassroots
California
Sheila Bates
My Black future is intergenerational- all of us of all ages at all intersections are able to live their lives free, at one with nature, fulfilling their full potential with all the resources necessary to thrive as they see fit.
Angelmarie Taylor
My Black future rings with the laughter and joy of countless Black children.
Justice for Everybody Movement at Yale University
Massachusetts
Maurice Blackwell
My Black future looks like complete franchisement.
Shelby Henderson-Griffiths
My Black future is one where our lived experience, intellect, resilience, and imagination become collective power—shaping policy, expanding opportunity, and transforming the conditions that determine whether we thrive—not simply survive.
Adrian Peeler
My Black future is one built on and around political and grass roots power for our entire community.
Center for HBCU Research, Leadership, and Policy at Howard University
Washington, D.C.
Erinn Carter
My Black future is one in which we are all organized toward building a collective and liberatory future.
Arsene Frederic, Jr.
My Black future is one where Black communities have the power, resources, and opportunity to shape the policies and institutions that determine their futures.
Darieon McFadden
My Black future looks like service to all.
Black Girls Govern
Florida
Eternity Rodriguez
My Black future looks like one where there is strong Black political power and civic leadership at the local, state, and national level.
Mozn Shora
My Black future is one where we are free to define ourselves, equipped with the knowledge to understand our power, and use it to create change.
Harlie Williams
My Black future is one where democracy works because Black girls helped reimagine it.
A Just Harvest
Illinois
Christophe Ringer
My Black future looks like our communities having the resources to realize whatever visions or dreams we have for ourselves.
Yolanda Shanklin
My Black future looks promising.
Chicago Votes
Illinois
Marvin Alexis
My Black future looks like positive change in our communities.
Parris Champliss
My Black future is one we are liberated from all oppressive systems; where we live in community, fellowship, and abundance; and use our collective imagination to create systems to meet our needs and heal from trauma.
Frederique Desrosiers
My Black Future is one we are liberated from all oppressive systems; where we live in community, fellowship, and abundance; and use our collective imagination to create systems to meet our needs and heal from trauma.
Latrice Johnson
My Black future looks like igniting a fire in people that inspires them to dream big, live courageously, and empower others to do the same.
Jeremiah Wallace
My Black future looks like a world with more Black professionals.
Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights
Louisiana
Cierra Chenier
My Black future is a free and autonomous Black New Orleans.
Christiáne–Tresor Crawford
My Black future is one where survival is no longer the measure of our success because we have built communities rooted in freedom, abundance, ownership, healing, and the power to decide our own future.
Tiye Davis
My Black future is one where Black young people are free to thrive, lead, shape the policies that impact their lives, and experience a world rooted in liberation, dignity, joy, and community power.
Anjanae Goins
My Black future looks like the cultivation of peace, health, happiness, and success.
Scrub Life Cares
South Carolina
Tanya Ambrose
My Black future is one where Black communities move from being asked to survive broken systems to having the power to redesign them.
Shaterica Neal
My Black future looks like tangible policy change created by us that provides decision making power, money, resources, and information to develop sustainable solutions that work for impoverished Black folks and communities here in the Rural South.
Kennedi Outland
My Black future is one where our communities have the resources, opportunities, and support to live healthy, empowered lives.
Women’s Rights & Empowerment Network
South Carolina
Simone Davis
My Black future is where we no longer merely survive the systems built for us but thrive in the freedom we built for ourselves.
Aisha Jones
My Black future is a future where we thrive, build, and shape our communities on our own terms.
Brianna Myers
My Black future is accessibility to all, for all that look like me.