Advocacy Stories
Rana Abdelhamid
"When I was bullied for being Muslim, I always felt like I had an army of unapologetic North African aunties who had my back... What started as a self-defense course in a basement of a community center, is now an international grassroots organization focused on building safety and power for women around the world."
Background:
Born in Queens, Rana became a civic leader as a teenager–after being attacked on the street by a man who tried to take off her hijab (headscarf). She channeled that event into a life of activism and empowerment.
Superpowers:
Activist, Political Candidate, Nonprofit Leader
Notable Accomplishments:
- As part of her healing process she founded and became Executive Director of the international nonprofit organization Malikah (formerly the Women’s Initiative for Self-Empowerment) – a global collective of women committed to building security and power for communities
- Created a Self-Defense Starter Kit, which includes resources and videos for Muslim women
- Founder of the social media project “Hijabis of New York”
- Ran for the U.S. Congress in New York’s 12th district
Tarana Burke
“At the start of my career…I wish I would have known that you don't have to sacrifice everything for a cause. And that self-care and self-preservation is also a tool that is necessary to do the work.”
Background:
Born in the Bronx, Tarana grew up in a low-income, working-class family in a housing project and is a survivor of sexual assault. She began her career at a youth development organization.
Superpowers:
Community Organizer, Advocate, Executive, Campaign Leader, Author
Notable Accomplishments:
- Founder of the Me Too Movement which became a worldwide awareness campaign about sexual harassment, abuse, and assault in society
- Former Executive Director of the Black Belt Cultural Arts Center, where she created community programs designed for underserved youth
- Helped to organize the annual Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee to commemorate the Selma Voting Rights Struggle
- Author of several books including Unbound: My Story of Liberation and the Birth of the Me Too Movement
- Created Survivor’s Sanctuary
Karine Jean-Pierre
“When it comes to our democracy, and who we determine to have the right to vote – our most sacred of rights – patience is no virtue. We must never be patient when someone else's rights are in the balance. We cannot wait on laws, or elected officials, or anyone else. The only virtue when it comes to the right to vote is impatience.”
Background:
Born in Martinique and raised in Queens, Karine is the daughter of Haitian immigrants. She was inspired when she heard a speech by Congresswoman Barbara Jordan – the first Black woman in politics she had ever witnessed. From there Karine pursued a life in public service.
Superpowers:
Public Service, Advocacy, Public Speaking, Leadership, Teaching
Notable Accomplishments:
- First Black person and openly Lesbian woman to serve as the White House Press Secretary
- Political Director for Barack Obama’s presidential campaign
- Author of her memoir, Moving Forward
- Professor of Public Affairs at Columbia University (her Alma Mater)
May Malik
Background:
Born in Sudan, May has devoted her life to public service taking on youth development causes, fighting for immigrant issues, and taking on xenophobic policies. She has dedicated her life to public service.
Superpowers:
Public Servant, Advocate, Immigrant, Mom
Notable Accomplishments:
- As Deputy Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, May helped fight for immigration rights and helped connect people to critical resources during the pandemic
- She was the former Director of Public-Private Partnerships at NYC Service where she led and executed partnerships to address NYC’s socioeconomic challenges
- Ran for the New York State Assembly trying to be the first Black woman to represent the Upper East Side–to advocate for increased education, affordable housing, and socioeconomic progress
- May continues her career in public service in Washington, D.C. as Acting Deputy Assistant for Public Affairs, Public Education at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Thahitun Mariam
"When tragedy strikes our communities, it is impertinent to show up and care for one another. Societal care is revolutionary. Compassion and care is crucial, especially in the face of environmental degradation, societal systems failing us and our communities being under attack."
Background:
Brought up in a rural village in Bangladesh for the first six years of her life, Thahitun is a Bronx-bred Bangladeshi-American poet, writer, community organizer and activist. She focuses on issues surrounding social justice, global migration, and women’s empowerment. During the COVID-19 crisis, she channeled her energy into addressing the needs of her Bronx community.
Superpowers:
Activist, Storyteller, Nonprofit Leader, Public Service
Notable Accomplishments:
- During the COVID-19 crisis, she founded the Bronx Mutual Aid Network – an organization that allows residents to organize their own communities and help each other out. Through the concept of “mutual aid,” the organization helps people access food and supplies, pick up prescriptions and complete errands, and more – for people who are elderly, disabled and/or immunocompromised. The entire operation is a volunteer endeavor, with the goal of getting people to organize their own mutual aid networks in their buildings, blocks, and neighborhoods
- Community organizer for the NYC Office of the Mayor
- Co-founder of Bangladeshi Americans for Political Progress
- Co-founder of the Bangladeshi Feminist Collective
Kangela Moore
"We deserve a park not a jungle"
Background:
Born and raised in Brooklyn, and long-time resident of Queens, Kangela is passionate about strengthening her community, keeping it safe, and ensuring her neighbors are informed on the issues that impact them. When a woman was assaulted in the 90-acre Brookville Park, Kangela sprung into action. For more than 14 years, she has advocated and organized to keep the park “green, clean, and safe.”
Superpowers:
Advocacy, Building Relationships, Organizing, Public Service, and Volunteering
Notable Accomplishments:
- Organized community members by going door-to-door to hold a demonstration at the Board of Education District Office
- Served as President of her children's Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and supported the School Leadership Team (SLT)
- She ultimately served on the Chancellor's Parent Advisory Board and gave voice to end the inequalities that exist in schools of Brown and Black children
- Hosted several events to foster positive relationships within the community such as car seat and diaper giveaways, art workshops, and a Father’s Day barbecue
- Founded the Friends of Brookville Park group to demand a safer park for the community. As part of her advocacy, she hosted events, organized residents, took and sent photos of the park to show it had been neglected, and hosted three walk-throughs with the Parks Department including two with the Queens Parks Commissioner. As a result, the Parks Department began working to improve the safety of Brookville Park. She continues this advocacy today.
