This summer, we welcomed five fellows across New York to make a difference in Brooklyn for ten weeks. Below is further information on who they are and their passions.

Akaylah Rose is a Criminal Justice Major at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and an aspiring lawyer/politician. She enjoys reading, singing, cooking, and interacting with people. She is excited to join this fellowship because it allows me to work with under-represented groups and be the voice for change in communities.

Andrea Cruz Camacho was born and raised in Brooklyn and is a first-gen, first-year student at Wagner College majoring in International Affairs and Sociology. Her experience from her family’s socio-economic situation is a driving force for civic engagement for the underprivileged. As a fellow, she is most excited to learn more about how she can use her voice to advocate for the needs of others and increase my participation in her local community.

Chelsea Rivas is a rising sophomore at Cornell University with intentions to major in Government. She was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, and is of Ecuadorian descent. As a first-generation college student, she is passionate about giving back to her community and advocating for representation for underrepresented communities.

Laila Terrell is a rising junior at Syracuse University, majoring in political philosophy with a minor in Spanish Language and Literature. She loves to swim, work out, and watch scary movies. She’s most excited about the professional learning aspect of the fellowship and meeting individuals who will inspire her to achieve my goals or find new ones.

MingXi Chau is a junior at Williams College studying Economics, with an interest in Political Science and Asia Studies. Currently, she is engaged in research related to community and economic development, specifically in underserved communities. As a Hope fellow, she hopes to continue her work in serving the community and pursue a career in the public sector.