progressive
power
2019 fellows
No one knows the power of collaboration for social change better than the 2019 Fellows. These leaders work with communities across geographies and identities to inform and inspire progressive systemic shifts.
alec
fischer
ali imad
fadlallah
allister
chang
erick
garcia
kevon
paynter
maria
yuan
richard
wallace
sam
bonar
learn more about these political agents of change.
ALEC FISCHER (HE/HIM)
GenQMedia | Wahpekute Territory
“Through struggle, he reflected and thrived.”
Alec’s project, GenQMedia is a media publishing platform that aims to increase LGBTQ+ visibility and representation for young LGBTQ+ changemakers, entrepreneurs, artists and storytellers. Alec is an emerging documentary filmmaker, award-winning content creator and nationally featured LGBTQ+ advocate.
ali imad fadlallah (HE/HIm)
Cleffnotes for the New Jim Crow | Myaamia Territory
“Human rights via music and entertainment.”
Ali’s project, CleffNotes for New Jim Crow seeks to bring Michelle Alexander’s “The New Jim Crow” to life through the creation of commercial-quality songs. The songs illuminate the book’s key content to not only widen its reach, but also to promote retention of its key facts and garner momentum toward ending mass incarceration. Ali is a singer, songwriter, mix engineer, actor, and producer signed to Avant Artists as well as his own imprint, Rima Records.
ALLISTER CHANG (HE/HIM)
Wash and Learn | Nacotchtank Territory
“Hello. NiHao! Wait, where are we?”
Allister’s project, Wash and Learn, seeks to expand digital access and supports digital literacy development for families in the United States living below 200 percent of the poverty line by installing public access computers and facilitating digital literacy trainings inside coin laundries. Allister has worked to expand access to information and to design better processes to match existing resources/programs with the families and individuals who actually need them.
ERICK GARCIA (HE/HIM)
#GameTheSystem | Hohokam Territory
“A reliable, resilient, and stubborn survivor.”
Erick’s project, #GameTheSystem aims to be a first of its kind, web-based, mobile-ready gamified action dashboard for grassroots organizing that leverages existing interactive organizing platforms, and utilizes mobile technology, texting, email and social media.
KEVON PAYNTER (HE/HIM)
Bloc by Block News | Piscataway Territory
“Searched for Freedom, found it within.”
Kevon’s project, Bloc by Block News, aims to provide individuals with a neighborhood news portal and one-stop shop for the best news sources about their state, county, and neighborhood. Kevon is a futuristic thinker and a journalist who comes from a background in community organizing and solutions reporting. As a journalist at Yes! Magazine, Kevon wrote insightful commentary and fact-based reporting about solutions to the country’s most pressing social issues.
MARIA YUAN (SHE/HER)
IssueVoter | Nacotchtank Territory
“Visionary, driven, leader, future historical greatness.”
Maria’s project seeks to provide users with alerts before Congress votes on issues affecting them and to distill complex bills into videos aimed at reaching underrepresented and young voters. IssueVoter is a nonpartisan online platform that offers everyone a voice in our democracy by making civic engagement accessible, impactful, and efficient.
Richard Wallace (He/him)
Equity and Transformation | Kaskaskia Territory
“Loving, consistent, humble, innovative, funny, free, resilient.”
Rich’s project, Equity and Transformation (EAT), is an organization that uses an innovative approach to community organizing. It harnesses the voices of Chicago’s informal economy to advance social change locally and increase equity for those who are the most excluded politically, economically, and socially. Rich is an organizer and artist in the fight to end economic violence and anti-Black racism.
Sam Bonar (HE/HIM)
Delicious Democracy | Nacotchtank Territory
“Why won't you listen to me?”
Sam’s project, Delicious Democracy, is an augmented reality (AR) app and a new kind of social media platform focused on pushing physical organizing beyond the virtual while making political engagement casual, fun, collaborative and dynamic. Sam is a comedic activist, video producer, improviser, and citizen lobbyist and has been a headliner, teacher and coach since 2013.