Darnell Benoit

After 14 years as a New York City ESL instructor and frustrated by the lack of resources for immigrant students, Darnell Benoit founded Flanbwayan Haitian Literacy Project in 2005. FHLC fights for change in the NYC Public School System so that newcomer youth can receive necessary support — neither defined nor limited by discrimination, isolation, or language barriers. The Immigrant Youth Project (IYLP) will use technology to build a safe citywide support network where young immigrants can build relationships, encounter unexpected influences, and engage in educational activities outside school walls. Using dance, art, music, filmmaking, podcasts, book clubs, and leadership development activities, the IYLP will create new pathways for recent newcomers to co-create community and wellbeing.