Racial
Justice Fellows Program

Blessed-Gift Louzolo Mbouilu is a third year student at CCNY, majoring in Political Science and Economics. As a first-generation American with roots in Congo Brazzaville, she has witnessed the challenges her parents faced navigating a new culture, language, and community. This experience has fueled her deep commitment to fighting injustices and systemic inequalities that disproportionately affect communities of color. Currently serving as Vice President of the Black Pre-Law club, Blessed-Gift is actively engaged in fostering a supportive community for Black legal professionals. She aspires to pursue a career in law, focusing on either international, criminal, or immigration law, to advocate for marginalized communities. Blessed-Gift is determined to fight for a world where Outside of her academic and extracurricular pursuits, she enjoys dancing, baking, practicing her French, and watching movies, with “The Princess and the Frog” being a particular favorite.

Carolina is a sophomore at The City College of New York (CCNY), majoring in Bilingual Education with a minor in Law. A proud Mexican American from Harlem and a first-generation college student, she is deeply committed to educational equity and justice reform. Having personally witnessed the challenges of the juvenile justice system, Carolina’s experiences have fueled her passion for advocacy and systemic change. Coming from an immigrant family, she understands the barriers that many marginalized communities face in accessing quality education.

Her goal is to become a teacher within the juvenile justice system and prison reform programs, ensuring that incarcerated individuals receive the education they need to successfully reintegrate into society. Carolina is dedicated to establishing fair and accessible education for all, regardless of background, race, or income.Beyond her professional aspirations, Carolina finds joy in exploring new places with her son and rescue dog, as well as baking and cycling in her free time.

Gianni Villano Enrique is a sophomore majoring in Sociology with a minor in Psychology at City College of New York. As a Dreamer and
first-generation college student, he is a proud member of the Mixtec Indigenous community and embraces his heritage and language. The son of Mexican immigrants born in an impoverished town in Mexico, Gianni and his parents faced many challenges while pursuing a better life. When he arrived in the U.S., he spoke only Mixteco and did not know Spanish or English. Despite the barriers he faced, his resilience and dedication earned him a place on the Honor Roll and the prestigious New York State Seal of Biliteracy cords in high school. He has never let his status define him, instead, he has used it to shape his unique identity and perspective. Gianni is passionate about advocating for his immigrant community and creating meaningful change. His lived experiences have inspired him to become a Social Worker, where he hopes to uplift and empower others facing similar struggles. Gianni aims to expand his impact and continue fighting for equity and inclusion.

Jerry is a third-year pre-med student majoring in black studies with a minor in biology. He is a Jamaican-American from the Bronx with a passion for addressing the health and socio-economic inequities that Black and Hispanic communities face in the U.S. Along with the Racial Justice Fellowship, Jerry plans to become a Family Medicine Physician with a Masters in Public Health in Community Service to build a community where Blacks and Hispanics are better equipped with resources to fight health and socio-economic inequity. In his free time, Jerry loves to make music, cook, travel, workout, and explore new places.

Marcus is a Puerto Rican and Trinidadian American studying Anthropology and Sociology with a minor in Human Rights. He plans on using his sophomore year at City College to deepen his passion for social and racial justice. Being born and raised in The Bronx, Marcus has seen the many ways systemic and environmental racism affect his community. He doesn’t only want to develop solutions to dismantle the previous ways America has kept marginalized communities in perpetual struggle, but he also wants to create actionable, sustainable, and equitable solutions to help his community thrive. Marcus is particularly passionate about the I-95 Highway and its negative health effects on his community, since he’s lived alongside it his whole life. Marcus hopes to learn more about how societies function and succeed to better understand the realistic future for his community and more like his around the nation.

Mariama is a determined sophomore at The City College of New York, a first-generation college student majoring in psychology. She’s interested in becoming a child psychiatrist. She is also very passionate about volunteer work because she feels it’s most important when helping people who need it. Although she is not religious, she loves learning about various aspects of other religions. Additionally, she’s attempting to broaden her knowledge when it comes to research activities as well as lab work through volunteer or internship opportunities. She’s eager to immerse herself in different cultural practices to enhance her understanding of diverse communities. This will enable her to build stronger relationships with her future patients and provide more holistic care as a psychiatrist.

Sakura is a senior majoring in International Studies and Political Science, with a minor in Black Studies. A proud New York native, Sakura is passionate about community-driven policy and research. She previously worked as a researcher at 3×3, supporting the Community Development Usership Survey in partnership with NYC Parks. She also interned at WXY architecture + urban design as an urban planning intern, where she supported community engagement and planning initiatives. Sakura is committed to amplifying local voices and contributing to equitable change in the communities she calls home.

Samantha is a senior majoring in Political Science with a double minor in Sociology and Legal Studies. She is born and raised in East Harlem, the oldest of 4 sisters and is of African American and Haitian descent. She’s interested in child advocacy, supporting families, and creating a space that is safe and inclusive for all genders and all people of color. As a profession she wants to become a lawyer advocating and supporting people in their times of need.

Sydne is a dedicated returning adult student pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at the City College of New York, set to graduate in Spring 2026. She holds an Associate’s degree in Human Services and has a strong passion for supporting students and families within the education system. Sydne plans to attend graduate school to study either School Psychology or Social Work, with the goal of advocating for equitable educational policies and providing direct support to underserved communities. Her professional and academic experiences have deepened her commitment to racial justice, mental health, and educational equity. As a Racial Justice Fellow, she aims to develop initiatives that promote inclusivity and systemic change. Sydne is excited to collaborate with like-minded peers and further her impact in the field of social justice and education.

Tiffany Caldwell-Bates is a rising senior at City College, majoring in political science. Born and raised in Upper Manhattan, she has witnessed firsthand the effects of systemic inequality, shaping her passion for advocacy and human rights. Her personal experiences navigating educational instability and overcoming learning challenges have fueled her commitment to addressing disparities in education, disability rights, and racial justice. Through programs like The Brotherhood/Sister Sol, she developed a strong foundation in social justice work and discovered her calling in law. Tiffany aspires to use her legal education to challenge discriminatory policies, promote equity, and advocate for underrepresented communities both domestically and internationally. She is particularly interested in the intersection of law and social justice, focusing on policy reform and human rights litigation.

Wanda is currently a senior at CPS in City College. She is a first generation Dominican-American that was born and raised in NYC. She is very passionate about racial and socio economic equality, and challenging old ways of thinking. Her goal is to inspire people to know that it is okay to ruffle some feathers and make an impact on things that do not serve the vision of the world they want to live in. During her free time she likes to exercise, read and play guitar. Wanda enjoys spending time with her family, volunteering to help her community and taking long walks in nature.

Yuhlani Patterson is a senior at CCNY studying in Political Science and International Studies with a concentration in International Relations. She is considering adding Sociology to her major. She developed a passion for public service, activism, and equality in high school and continued her path into college, where she applied for the Moynihan Fellowship and was accepted. This continued to open doors for her in the public service sector, where she worked to assist and promote disadvantaged and disinvested communities that have historically received little investment. As a minority herself, she is committed to not only improving the well-being of minority groups in the city, but also to making a difference in society. In her spare time, Yuhlani enjoys traveling, learning about various cultures, reading, writing, and discussing complex political and cultural problems.