BLACK TO THE FUTURE POLICY INSTITUTE FELLOWS
Our Black to the Future Policy Institute has been able to engage, train, and support some incredible minds since we launched this program. We want to highlight all of the fellows who have gone through our program and thank them for bringing their ideas, their passion, and their hard work to this experience. We look forward to many more years of fellowships that will produce generations of legislative wins for Black communities!
Meet the 2021-2022 Fellows
*Illustrations by Alixa García. Follow Alixa García here.
![Blair, Amerika. Version 5.1024x1024](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Blair-Amerika.-Version-5.1024x1024-1024x1024.jpg)
Amerika Blair
Safe Space Montgomery, AL
“Black people will be empowered to resolve conflicts informally and peacefully, uprooting trauma from generations of violence.”
![Evan Milligan. Version 4. 1024x1024](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Evan-Milligan.-Version-4.-1024x1024-1-1024x1024.jpg)
Evan Milligan
Safe Space Montgomery, AL
“Our Black children and grandchildren would have more space to practice celebrating each other’s creativity and adventures.”
![Shakhea Hinton. Version 8. 1024x1024](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Shakhea-Hinton.-Version-8.-1024x1024-1-1024x1024.jpg)
Shakhea Hinton
Florida Rising, FL
“If my policy passed within the state of Florida , it would ensure that black, brown, and indigenous communities would have fair representation in court and stable housing.”
![Dialencia Cadette. Version 6. 1024x1024](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Dialencia-Cadette.-Version-6.-1024x1024-1-1024x1024.jpg)
Dialencia Cadette
Florida Rising, FL
“My policy will not only give renters the rights that they deserve, but it will also give them a fighting chance against landlords and corporations.”
![Green,-Eliana.-Version-6.-1024x1024](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Green-Eliana.-Version-6.-1024x1024-1-1024x1024.jpg)
Eliana Green
The Hood Incubator, CA
“Reducing financial barriers to entry to the cannabis industry and creating a community oversight committee that’s inclusive of our voices will put us one step closer to being able to leverage the legal cannabis industry to create wealth, health and prosperity for every Black person.”
![Chaney Turner. Version 5. 1024x1024](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Chaney-Turner.-Version-5.-1024x1024-1-1024x1024.jpg)
Chaney Turner
The Hood Incubator, CA
“Cannabis intersects with many social justice issues that directly affect Black communities. Our policy will lead to ending criminalization & incarceration for cannabis and eventually ALL drugs. Community reinvestment must be led by impacted people, not politicians.”
![Kika Keith. Version 7. 1024x1020](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Kika-Keith.-Version-7.-1024x1020-1-1024x1024.jpg)
Kika Keith
The Hood Incubator, CA
“Social equity and social justice policy is the key to securing generational wealth for our Black children’s children. Defining these terms in legislation lays the foundation for our FUTURE fight for reparative justice.”
![Angel Pittman. Version 6. 1024x1024](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Angel-Pittman.-Version-6.-1024x1024-1-1024x1024.jpg)
Angel Pittman
The Hood Incubator, CA
“Reducing barriers to entry & creating a state-wide definition for “social equity” will create a clearer path for Black ownership in the California cannabis industry.”
![james-jeter](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/james-jeter-1024x1024.jpg)
James Jeter
Full Citizens Coalition, CT
“If our policy passes, we will have begun the dismantling of the 13th amendment, complete enfranchisement of the incarcerated, and the ability to create equity.”
![patrice-collins](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/patrice-collins-1024x1024.jpg)
Patrice Collins
Full Citizens Coalition, CT
“We will increase political power to advance social change that is focused on dismantling the multigenerational incarceration of Black children and their families.”
![Braham, Mike. Version 6. 1024x1024](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Braham-Mike.-Version-6.-1024x1024-1-1024x1024.jpg)
Mike Braham
Full Citizens Coalition, CT
“My people, who are held in a carceral slave state, will become agents of change in their families and communities abroad though civics.”
![Meikle, Clyde. Version 5. 1024x1024](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Meikle-Clyde.-Version-5.-1024x1024-1-1024x1024.jpg)
Clyde Meikel
Full Citizens Coalition, CT
“Rather than policy designing black life, black life would design policies that make black people citizens in democratic and political decision-making”
![Hill Taylor, Shakirah. Version 6. 1024x1024](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Hill-Taylor-Shakirah.-Version-6.-1024x1024-1-1024x1024.jpg)
Shakirah Hill-Taylor
Herb and Temple. D.C.
“Giving birth with complete agency will be a right and not a privilege.”
![Mason, Jackie. Version 7. 1024x1024](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Mason-Jackie.-Version-7.-1024x1024-1-1024x1024.jpg)
Jackie Mason
Herb and Temple. D.C.
“When we can make the maternal health of black women important to America, we can shape a better future for black America.”
![Paul, Steve. Version 3. 1024x1024](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Paul-Steve.-Version-3.-1024x1024-1-1024x1024.jpg)
Steve Paul
Pennsylvania Voice, PA
“Black and brown communities face structural problems; the solutions to those problems require mass movements in the streets and political power that allows us to change policy and elect candidates who share our values. Unfortunately, a lot of people have been arrested and even died working toward black political power. Our campaign to protect our right to vote is part of a long history of fighting for our right to exist in America and, ultimately, a fight to secure self-determination.”
![Armstrong, Olyvia. Version 8. 1024x1024](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Armstrong-Olyvia.-Version-8.-1024x1024-1-1024x1024.jpg)
Olyvia Armstrong
Pennsylvania Voice, PA
“Our campaign will create Black voting power by eliminating deliberate barriers that have been placed, and making our elections convenient, accessible, and secure for Black voters across Pennsylvania.”
![Fulton, Cedric. Version 3. 1024x1024](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Fulton-Cedric.-Version-3.-1024x1024-1-1024x1024.jpg)
Cedric Fulton
Hudson Catskill Housing Coalition, NY
“The Clean Slate New York Act would give real people their lives back, where we can realistically envision our journey towards life-changing opportunities that lead to generational healing and success.”
![Quintin Cross. Version 6. 1024x1024](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Quintin-Cross.-Version-6.-1024x1024-1-1024x1024.jpg)
Quintin Cross
Hudson Catskill Housing Coalition, NY
“The passing of the Clean Slate bill will knock down barriers preventing our people from enjoying quality of life. New York is an integral player in changing the national narrative. Passing this legislation will align with my fight for black liberation.”
![Claire Cousin. Version 3. 1024x1024](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Claire-Cousin.-Version-3.-1024x1024-1-1024x1024.jpg)
Claire Cousin
Hudson Catskill Housing Coalition, NY
“The passing of the Clean Slate bill will shape black future in Hudson because it will eliminate an ominous barrier that has kept our people feeling stuck for far too long. It will create a road to empowerment that is necessary to find success and real liberation.”
![Mercedes Brantley. Version 4 1024x1024](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Mercedes-Brantley.-Version-4-1024x1024-1-1024x1024.jpg)
Mercedes Brantley
Hudson Catskill Housing Coalition, NY
“The Clean Slate bill will shape not only my future, but millions of Black futures, by allowing a piece of systemic bias to be removed and allowing our people a chance at a real economic change. The bill will enable our people to get good paying jobs with good health benefits and make generational wealth more of a possibility.”
![Davis, Calandra. Version 5. 1024x1024](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Davis-Calandra.-Version-5.-1024x1024-1-1024x1024.jpg)
Calandra Davis
Hope Policy Institute, MS
“It will be a step towards abolishing debt for those impacted by the Mississippi carceral system and it will plant the seed to create a transformative system that doesn’t punish the poor.”
![burt-kiyadh](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/burt-kiyadh-1024x1024.jpg)
Kiyadh Burt
Hope Policy Institute, MS
“If achieved, incarceral systems in Mississippi will have fewer mechanisms to extract critical resources from incarcerated persons and the communities that support them.”
![Ousby, Renata. Version 4. 1024x1024](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Ousby-Renata.-Version-4.-1024x1024-1-1024x1024.jpg)
Renata Ousby-Stephen
Hope Policy Institute, MS
“The financial burdens imposed by the criminal system will be eliminated, affording incarcerated persons better opportunities to substantiate themselves upon release.”
![Chioma Oruh. Version 6. 1024x1024](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Chioma-Oruh.-Version-6.-1024x1024-1-1024x1024.jpg)
Chioma Oruh
Chi Bornfree, Inc., D.C.
“Prescribe more than police trainings and explore bold, emotionally intelligent, person-centered and family-centered interventions that truly reimagine public safety.”
![Renee Davis. Version 6. 1024x1024](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Renee-Davis.-Version-6.-1024x1024-1-1024x1024.jpg)
Renee Davis
Chi Bornfree, Inc., D.C.
“By having better screening and early intervention to continue into middle and high school, we will be able to provide people with the healthcare resources they need, sooner.”
![Fari Ghamina Tumpe. Version 7. 1024x1024](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Fari-Ghamina-Tumpe.-Version-7.-1024x1024-1-1024x1024.jpg)
Fari Ghamina Tumpe
Chi Bornfree, Inc., D.C.
“The school to prison pipeline would be eradicated.”
Meet the 2020-2021 Fellows
*Illustrations by Alixa García. Follow Alixa García here.
![New Jersey- Romans-Henry, Raquel](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Jamileh-Ebrahimi-1024x1024.jpg)
Jamileh Ebrahimi
Bay Area, CA
Organization: RYSE Center
![New Jersey- Romans-Henry, Raquel](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Tahtianna-Fermin-1024x1024.jpg)
Tahtianna Fermin
New York
Organization: Bridges 4 Life
![New Jersey- Romans-Henry, Raquel](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Brent-Hamlet-1024x1024.jpg)
Brent R. Hamlet
Chitown, The south side, the best side.
Organization: Workers Center for Racial Justice of Chicago
![New Jersey- Romans-Henry, Raquel](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/ashelei-spivey-1024x1024.jpg)
Ashlei Spivey
Nebraska
Organization: Director of I Be Black Girl. Sponsoring organization is ACLU of Nebraska where she serves on the board of directors as the Equity Officer.
![New Jersey- Romans-Henry, Raquel](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/stephanie-strong-1024x1024.jpg)
Stephanie R. Strong
Boston, MA
Organization – Faith in Action Alabama
![New Jersey- Romans-Henry, Raquel](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Jamil-Davis-2-1024x1024.jpg)
Jamil Davis
Pensacola, FL by way of Atlanta, GA
Organization: Black Voters Matter
“The power we possess as organizers in this era is amazing. To be able to translate that into hopefully banning the box in the state of Florida would do wonders for Black and Brown people statewide. I’m honored to be a part of creating monumental change in this country.”
![New Jersey- Romans-Henry, Raquel](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/lanese-martin-1024x1024.jpg)
Lanese Martin
Born & raised in NY
Organization: The Hood Incubator
“Police departments required increased funding to enforce the new “problem” drug war policy created. The costs of the drug war is what has led us as a Black community to demand defunding of police departments across the country in exchange for investment in our communities. Let’s end the drug war and reverse its impacts, together.”
![New Jersey- Romans-Henry, Raquel](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Courtni-Andrews-1024x1024.jpg)
Courtni Andrews
Metro Atlanta
Organization: Data for Black Lives
“Afrofuturism is possible in this lifetime. Black scientists must practice science fiction behavior, to push against what distorts the truth of who we are as Black people, members of the African Diaspora. I believe in a future where science and data is accessible to all Black people, so that we can protest and protect ourselves no matter who we’re up against using the lens of our lived experiences and the numbers that just confirm that truth.”
![New Jersey- Romans-Henry, Raquel](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Carlton-Riley-1024x1024.jpg)
Carlton Riley
Jacksonville, FL
Organization: New Florida Majority Education Fund
“Support Transgender and Genderqueer community members. Black communities have so much strength and potential, but we can only access that power when we’re inclusive. Where uniformity constrains, unity strengthens. And we’ll need all the strength we have to transform our democracy.”
![New Jersey- Romans-Henry, Raquel](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Jasmine-Rucker-1024x1024.jpg)
Jasmine Rucker
Tucson, Arizona
Organization: Planning and Community Development Director for Ward 1, City of Tucson
![New Jersey- Romans-Henry, Raquel](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Brianna-Singleton-1024x1024.jpg)
Brianna Michelle Singleton
Southern California
Organization: St James Infirmary
![New Jersey- Romans-Henry, Raquel](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Shannon-Charles-1024x1024.jpg)
Shannon Charles
I am a proud West Indian. I was born in Dominica. My roots are spread across three islands: Dominica, Jamaica, and St. Croix.
Organization: Catalyst Miami
![New Jersey- Romans-Henry, Raquel](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/James-Burch-1024x1024.jpg)
James Burch
Organization: Anti Police-Terror Project
![New Jersey- Romans-Henry, Raquel](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Titilayo-Rasaki-1024x1024.jpg)
Titilayo Rasaki
Indianapolis by way of Ibadan, Nigeria
Organization: Essie Justice Group
![New Jersey- Romans-Henry, Raquel](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Nchedochukwu-Ezeokoli-1024x1024.jpg)
Nchedochukwu Ezeokoli
Oakland, CA | Onitsha, Nigeria
Organization: Data for Black Lives Atlanta Hub
![New Jersey- Romans-Henry, Raquel](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Andreas-Alexander-Portela-iii-1024x1024.jpg)
Andrés A Portela III
Tucson, AZ
Organization: City of Tucson
![New Jersey- Romans-Henry, Raquel](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/najma-douglas-1024x1024.jpg)
Najma Douglas
Oakland, California
Organization: Young Women’s Freedom Center
![New Jersey- Romans-Henry, Raquel](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Michelle-Wilson-1024x1024.jpg)
Michelle Wilson
Kansas City, MO
Organization: Data for Black Lives, Atlanta Hub
![New Jersey- Romans-Henry, Raquel](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Marie-Francois-1024x1024.jpg)
Marie Francois
Haiti
Organization: Miami Workers Center
![New Jersey- Romans-Henry, Raquel](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Carde-Taylor-1024x1024.jpg)
Carde Taylor
Oakland, California
Organization: Young Women Freedom Center
![New Jersey- Romans-Henry, Raquel](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Nahomi-Matos-Rondon-1024x1024.jpg)
Nahomi Matos Rondón
Carrizales, Hatillo, Puerto Rico
Organization: Florida Immigrant Coalition
![New Jersey- Romans-Henry, Raquel](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Steven-Huntley-1024x1024.jpg)
Steven Huntley
Montgomery, Alabama
Organization: True Divine Baptist Church
![New Jersey- Romans-Henry, Raquel](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Eve-Woldemikael-1024x1024.jpg)
Eve Woldemikael
Irvine, California
Organization: Young Women’s Freedom Center
![New Jersey- Romans-Henry, Raquel](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Akira-Jackson-1024x1024.jpg)
Akira Jackson
![New Jersey- Romans-Henry, Raquel](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Tianna-Bratcher-1024x1024.jpg)
Tianna Bratcher
Oakland, California
Organization: St. James Infirmary.
“An idea I have to create a better Black future is to continue creating spaces for political education work and reconnecting Black people to the power of land whether farming, herbalism or just enjoying nature.”
![New Jersey- Romans-Henry, Raquel](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/zola-e-1021x1024.jpg)
Zola Richardson
Minneapolis, MN
Organization: Reclaim the Block
“To eradicate all systems that obstruct the presence of a safe and healthy world. A world where Black people are not only held, nourished, housed, but one where joy is centered and neither policing and bad policy exists.”
![New Jersey- Romans-Henry, Raquel](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/khadijah-ameen-1024x1024.jpg)
Khadijah Ameen
Virginia
Organization: BLKHLTH
![New Jersey- Romans-Henry, Raquel](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/MacKenzie-Marcelin-1024x1024.jpg)
MacKenzie Marcelin
Miami-Dade, Florida
Organization: The New Florida Majority
![New Jersey- Romans-Henry, Raquel](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Sandy-Asari-Hogan-1024x1024.jpg)
Sandy-Asari Hogan
Atlanta, GA
Organization: Society for the Analysis of African American Public Health Issues
![New Jersey- Romans-Henry, Raquel](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Dominique-Morgan-1024x1024.jpg)
Dominique Morgan
Omaha, NE
Organization: Black and Pink, Inc
![New Jersey- Romans-Henry, Raquel](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Kiana-Hughes-1024x1024.jpg)
Kiana Hughes
Richton Park, IL
Organization: Chicago NORML/The Hood Incubator
![New Jersey- Romans-Henry, Raquel](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Eric-Hall-1024x1024.jpg)
Eric Hall
![New Jersey- Romans-Henry, Raquel](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Janelle-Luster-1024x1024.jpg)
Janelle Luster
![New Jersey- Romans-Henry, Raquel](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/April-Grayson-1024x1024.jpg)
April Grayson
![New Jersey- Romans-Henry, Raquel](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Lisa-Davis-1024x1024.jpg)
Lisa Davis
![New Jersey- Romans-Henry, Raquel](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Lisa-Clinton-1024x1024.jpg)
Lisa Clinton
![New Jersey- Romans-Henry, Raquel](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Larry-Dean--1024x1024.jpg)
Larry Dean
![New Jersey- Romans-Henry, Raquel](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/helina-haile-1024x1024.jpg)
Helina Haile
Minnesota
Organization: Chicago Torture Justice Center
“I envision a future for Black communities where individual and communal healing is a critically central component to achieving human flourishing. It’s essential to have policies and laws that pursue justice as healing in order to build black political power that is transformational and liberatory.”
![New Jersey- Romans-Henry, Raquel](https://blackfutureslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/blank-1024x1024.jpg)