THE 2009-2010 CLASS OF ELLA FELLOWS AND PROJECTS

DELUWARA (Dinu) AHMED – Graduate of Bryn Mawr College. Developing “What the Heart Sees: A Photography Workshop Series for Muslim Youth in Queens.” This co-ed workshop series for youth ages 13-18, utilizes photography and oral history and empowers Muslim youth to explore issues in their homes, schools, and communities.

AKIRAH CRAWFORD – Senior at Science Park High School. Designing a young women’s self-esteem and leadership group in Newark, NJ. Through her project, “She is Queen,” at her own school, she will work with 7th-12th graders developing leadership, building partnerships with community based organizations, and working to address community issues.

ROSEMARY GARRIDO – Junior at Hunter College. Through “Queer(ing) Space” she will work with queer youth ages 14-22 years old to examine the political spaces they navigate on a daily basis. Using art, they will explore issues of identity and social justice.

FANTASHIA HAMILTON – Senior at SUNY Oswego. Addressing issues of educational equity and academic preparedness on her college campus. Through “Peer 2 Peer Mentors,” she is supporting Freshmen at SUNY Oswego, and aiming to decrease the number of students of color who are disqualified each year.

MURIEL LEUNG – Senior at Sarah Lawrence College. Working with young Asian American women (ages 14-18) in her program “Write to Resist.” The group discusses identity and explores issues of violence facing them as individuals and as a community. As a final project, they will create a ‘zine to share their experiences and stories.

CASSIE MOY – Senior at Stuyvesant High School. Increasing environmental awareness among youth in Queens. Through “Project Re:fresh” she is helping young people ages 13-17 identify environmental problems in their own neighborhoods, learn about environmental justice, and take action on issues that concern them.

NJERI PARKER – Sophomore at Manhattanville College. Working with young women of color, around issues of identity, self-esteem, and self-expression. Through writing, poetry, and blogging, the group will define what it means to be a woman, explore social and personal issues they face, and gain strength and sisterhood.

ERICKA VÁSQUEZ – Sophomore at St. Lawrence University. Addressing issues of race, power, and privilege on her college campus. Through her project, “Switch: From Sympathy to Empathy” she is developing a core group of student leaders, and as a group they are designing and delivering educational workshops for the wider campus community.