2023 Cohort
Alana Adams, JUNTOS
I am the Development and Operations at JUNTOS, a community-led, Latinx immigrant organization in South Philadelphia fighting for our human rights as workers, parents, youth, and immigrants. I was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA, where my commitment to community engagement and social justice was instilled in me from a young age. As a youth, I served as the Co-Chair of the Violets’ Giving Circle, where I moved funding to support the education of women and girls in my community. Over the years, I have continued to work with both local grassroots organizations and global non-profits, which have reaffirmed my commitment to uplifting marginalized communities while building space for joy and prosperity in the face of oppression.
Fasina Wilkie, Kulu Mele African Dance & Drum Ensemble
Inspired by the voices of our ancestors, Kulu Mele African Dance & Drum Ensemble preserves and presents traditional dance and music of Africa and the African diaspora and celebrates contemporary African American culture. Omo Kulu Mele (OKM) African dance and drumming classes for children has been a flagship program of Kulu Mele for many years. Omo Kulu Mele (OKM) supports mentorship, health and wellness through traditional West African/Afro-Cuban dance and drum class to children ages five-18. Omo Kulu Mele teaches many lessons beyond dance and music. Some former students have gone on to enjoy careers as professional dancers. Some students explore their cultures of origin; others engage in cross-cultural exploration. All dancers and drummers will gain self-confidence and learn how to cooperate and collaborate.
Gabriela Watson-Burkett, ¡Presente! Media
Gabriela Watson-Burkett is an award-winning filmmaker, producer, and educator based in Philadelphia. Brazilian of Peruvian descent, Gabriela draws from her multicultural heritage to create documentaries that inspire social change. Her projects explore the intersection of Latine culture, Black identity, feminism, and community voices. She is a Co-founder and Program Director of !Presente! Media, an organization led by Latine creatives focused on social justice. Gabriela believes in the power of words and images to tell stories from the Black and Brown perspective, make an impact, and help make this world a better place for all of us.
Janine Spruill, Lil' Filmmakers
I am the Founder and CEO of Lil' Filmmakers. I provide Philadelphia's marginalized young creatives access to film/media production training, mentorship, community, and career development to prepare them for their creative journeys in the industry. I work to inspire young people to find their voice and use film & media to share their authentic stories with the world.
Jessica Vega, MILPA
I am a Mexican immigrant and a mother of four children. I came to this country at a very young age, and I know how tough it is to live here. I understand what my parents went through while being in this country. Knowing that organizations like MILPA exist gives me peace of mind because I know that our community is not alone. MILPA not only educates us about our rights but is also fighting for driver's licenses because it's not a luxury; it's a necessity.
LaNeshe Miller-White, Theatre in the X
I am dedicated to using the arts as a vehicle for social change. I am the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Theatre in the X, a company dedicated to breaking down the barriers to theater by providing accessible productions throughout Philadelphia and providing opportunities to theater artists of color. I am also Executive Director of Philadelphia Young Playwrights, an organization dedicated to celebrating student voices through the art of playwriting.
Mabel Negrete (CNS), Indigenous Peoples' Day Philly Inc.
Mabel Negrete (CNS) is the cofounder of Indigenous Peoples' Day Philly Inc and serves as the Executive Director and Interim Chair of the Board. CNS is Native Chilean of Picunche-Inca Heritage and migrated to Turtle Island over 32 years ago. CNS is also an artist, activists, educator and entrepreneur. As an artist she is known as CNS which stands for the Counter Narrative Society (CNS) | Studio CNS which is a transdisciplinary artist-activist unit that focuses on decolonization, building community and the abolition of the Invisible Punishing Machine. CNS has founded SPARKmakers LLC, and co-founded the Indigenous 215 Collective, Indigenous Peoples’ Day Philly, The Mobile Futures Institute and other social initiatives. CNS holds a Bachelor of Fine Art from the San Francisco Art Institute and a Master of Science in Art, Culture and Technology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Judith Robinson, Friends of the TANNER House
The Friends of the Tanner House, Inc, is an organization dedicated to preserving and revitalizing the Historic Tanner Family property 2908 W Diamond St. (19121). Through our heritage stewardship, the Friends of the Tanner house honors the growth, development and sustenance of the rich Black cultural life of North Philadelphia with family centered artistic, intellectual, and cultural programming. Ms. Judith is an Afro-American, Hebrew Israelite, born and bred in the Strawberry Mansion section of North Philly. A grandmother presently, an Advocate, and homeowner residing in North Central Philadelphia.
Nora Elmarzouky, Arab American Community Development Corporation
I am Egyptian-USian who is an urbanist/social practice artist that has worked at the intersections of project-based curriculum/education, arts, culture, energy/climate justice, and community development. Currently, my day job is working with communities across the US to organize and collectively advocate for energy democracy. I am co-editor-in-chief of Arabic-English community newspaper (Friends, Peace, and Sanctuary Project), fiscal-sponsored project financial management (such as La La Lil Jidar and Philly Palestine Coalition), board member of Barrio Alegria, and facilitates conversations especially using arts and culture.
Priscilla Flores, New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelphia
I was born and raised in California’s Central Valley and come from a family of Mexican immigrant farmworkers. I hold a B.A. in History and English from UC Berkeley and an M.A. in US History from the University of Chicago. I am the Development Coordinator for the New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelphia and am honored to be a 2023 Securing the Roots Fellow!
Cierra Freeman, Womanist Working Collective
I am a Philly born and bred Black, Queer Woman with unrelenting commitment to social equity and community in fulfillment of my life's spiritual assignment. I continue on this journey through my work as Co-Organizer of Mutual Aid with Womanist Working Collective, a radical grassroots social action and support collective for Black folks of marginalized experience, specifically women (trans and cis), femmes and gender expansive folks.