Putting the Power of the Law Back Into New Yorkers’ hands “I'm an attorney building a world where the law is a tool everyone can use” 2.5Mlegal problems go unmet by attorneys Diana Imbert-Hodges 2024 Defying Legal Gravity Civics mn Diana Imbert-Hodges
Helping Barbers Extend Their Reach to New Yorkers in Need “When we’re in front of a mirror as I’m cutting your hair, it’s like we’re reflecting one another.” Gregory Purnell 2024 Look Good, Feel Good Placemaking & Neighborhoods bk Gregory Purnell
Reinvigorating NYC theaters with a “backend-in-a-box” that supports theaters to use their spaces more “Now I get to say yes to thousands of artists every year” Meghan Finn 2024 The Tank NYC Creativity & Culture mn Meghan Finn
Bringing garment manufacturing back to NYC’s historic garment district “The best ideas are born from the necessity to change our reality” Mi Jong Lee 2024 Emmelle Design Jobs & Economic Growth mn Mi Jong Lee
Building Pathways And Support For Sex Workers To Choose Their Future “Christine has challenged powerful people to seek justice on behalf of women in need” Christine DeMaria 2023 SWITCH Jobs & Economic Growth mn Christine DeMaria
Proving that even the most difficult of crimes — homicide — can be treated with care “I really wanted to work in something that rewards truth telling and brings people together.” Erika Sasson 2023 Human Rights bk Erika Sasson
Advocating for the one in 15 New Yorkers who live in New York City Public Housing 1 in 15New Yorkers Live in Public Housing Karen Blondel 2023 Public Housing Civic Association Placemaking & Neighborhoods bk Karen Blondel
Expanding safe and loving spaces for people who use drugs “Sam embodies the essential virtues of New York: second chances, resilience, charm, humor, and inspiration” Sam Rivera 2023 On Point NYC Health mn Sam Rivera
Providing Resources to Aspiring Black Female Attorneys Only 2%of all lawyers in the U.S. are Black women Talia Scott 2023 Legally Blk Fund Education mn Talia Scott
Protecting New York Families From Unnecessary And Harmful Separation 92%of NYC foster kids are Black or Latino David Shalleck-Klein 2022 Family Justice Law Center Human Rights mn David Shalleck-Klein
Creating A Healthy And Sustainable Food Ecosystem In Southeast Queens “Sustainability is something Black and Indigenous people of color have always practiced” Dianna Rose 2022 Essential Kitchen Co. Environment & Sustainability qs Dianna Rose
Building A More Inclusive And Equitable Creative Economy In NYC “SCOPE OF WORK AIMS TO FUNDAMENTALLY SHIFT THE LANDSCAPE OF NYC’S CREATIVE SECTOR” Geneva White 2022 Scope of Work Creativity & Culture bk Geneva White
TEACHING FREE CODING CLASSES TO NYCHA’S YOUNGEST LEARNERS “These are the jobs of the future, and Hood Code gives our kids access where there is very little” Jason Gibson 2022 Hood Code Technology & Science qs Jason Gibson
REDEFINING AND REVOICING NEW YORK CITY’S PUBLIC NARRATIVES Mark Winston Griffith 2022 Brooklyn Deep Creativity & Culture bk Mark Winston Griffith
Fighting For Immigrants In The Armed Forces And Their Right To Stay In The U.S. “Cesar isn’t afraid to swim against the tide” Cesar Vargas 2021 Civics si Cesar Vargas
SPARKING POSITIVE SELF-ESTEEM AMONG NYC’S YOUNGEST LEARNERS Fela Barclift 2021 Little Sun People Education bk Fela Barclift
Inspiring Foster Care Alumni To Support Young People “Aging Out” Felicia Wilson 2021 What About Us Inc. Human Rights bk Felicia Wilson
Creating Essential Community For Justice-Impacted Youth Serving Supervision Sentences “NO YOUNG ADULT SHOULD HAVE TO SURVIVE ALONE IN NEW YORK CITY” Five Mualimm-ak 2021 Incarcerated Nation Human Rights bx Five Mualimm-ak
Envisioning A Childcare System Where Providers, Families, And Children Can Thrive Jaime-Jin Lewis 2021 Wiggle Room Technology & Science bk Jaime-Jin Lewis
REDEFINING COLLEGE ACCESS AND GUIDANCE FOR ALL YOUNG NEW YORKERS “Road to Uni creates leaders like nothing I’ve seen before” Cielo Villa 2020 Road to Uni Education qs Cielo Villa
Reusing New York city’s organic waste and making it cool to compost “Recycling wasn't an option when I was a kid — NYCHA is designed to be wasteful” 33%of New York City’s trash is compostable Domingo Morales 2020 Compost Power Environment & Sustainability bk Domingo Morales
Welcoming new LGBTQ+ immigrants to New York through storytelling, community and human connection “I had to create a home here because in Nigeria, there was no longer a sense of home” Edafe Okporo 2020 Refuge America Human Rights mn Edafe Okporo
Manny grew up in fear of deportation, despite only knowing New York City as his home “You will not make a better investment in the future of New York City than Manny Castro” Manuel Castro 2020 MOIA Jobs & Economic Growth qs Manuel Castro
Addressing medical, behavioral, and social needs holistically “Suzette could be doing anything, but she chooses to focus on the most vulnerable children” Suzette Brown 2020 Strong Children Wellness Health qs Suzette Brown
