Ahmad Free-Cohen, the vice president of Melanin Unchained, follows the blueprints of civil rights leaders before him in orienting toward a life of service to community. He stays focused on the solutions in his efforts to solve the social and environmental problems of his hometown of Newburgh, NY.
Andrés Chamorro
Kevindaryán Luján
Kevindaryán Luján, the first Latino legislator (and the youngest legislator) in Orange County, was instrumental in establishing Newburgh as a Sanctuary City and is passionate about racial justice, environmental equity, and addressing the issues that need to be tackled to keep his community safe and allow it to thrive.
Serena Padilla
Tim McQueen
Christine Hutchinson
Christine Hutchinson is the founder of Our Core, a nonprofit working to empower marginalized youth in Newburgh through innovative programs like agricultural education, which gets kids’ hands in the dirt and helps develop a sense of responsibility and accomplishment, as well as a connection to the place they call home.
Joyneia Joyner
Joe Alvarez
Shaniqua Bowden
Tyrone Wilson
Tyrone Wilson didn’t learn the dignity of being Black while he was growing up, but he turned his early experiences into a life of service. As the founder of Harambee, a coalition that supports and promotes the strength of community through cultural and educational events, he has been instrumental in preserving the Pine Street Burial Ground in Kingston, a burial site for enslaved Africans.