Civic Basics Stories
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
![Tarana Burke](https://civicmattershub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Tarana_Burke_2018_Disobedience_Awards_at_the_MIT_Media_Lab_cropped.jpg)
Lydia Darly
“I’ve been a New Yorker since 2004, but got the right to vote in 2022 when I became a U.S. Citizen. Voting was important to me as the next step in my civic journey, and allowed me to choose candidates who represented my views and policies I believe in. At last, MY voice was being heard. I feel like I am paving the way for my fellow immigrants.”
Background:
Born in France (of Guadeloupean descent), and a current Brooklynite, Lydia is an actor and award-winning filmmaker who has spent her life raising the stories of people from marginalized communities and supporting women in film. Lydia proudly became a U.S. citizen in 2022.
Superpowers:
Storyteller, Activist, Nonprofit Leader, Immigrant
Notable Accomplishments:
- In 2022, proudly voted for the first time in New York and national elections
- Co-founder of the Nova Frontier Film Festival which showcases films from and about the global African diaspora, Middle East and Latin America
- Creator of the Lab which mentors youth and emerging filmmakers from underrepresented communities
![Lydia Darly](https://civicmattershub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Lydia-Darly-scaled.jpg)
Cheryl Jones
“Volunteering is how you feel. It’s not even about anything outside of yourself. Volunteering gives purpose to my life, it’s a calling to my spirit to reach out to people. ‘To whom much is given, much will be required’ is a verse from the Bible (Luke 12:48), but service to me also means, to whom much is given, much is received. That feeling can’t be duplicated by anything else.”
Background:
A retired resident of Brooklyn, Cheryl has volunteered her entire life through her job, her church and other local organizations.
Superpowers:
Volunteering, Making Human Connections, Improving Communities
Notable Accomplishments:
- Volunteer and Team Leader at New York Cares on more than 1,000 projects, racking up 3,000 hours of service so far on projects ranging from park clean-ups, feeding people with food insecurity, yoga with kids, serving meals and reading club for seniors
- Stepping up during the COVID-19 pandemic to increase her service
![Cheryl Jones](https://civicmattershub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Cheryl-Jones-Daily-Point-of-Light-Award-Honoree-2.jpeg)