MIAMI

“We hold these truths to be self-evident…We’re them. They’re you. You’re me. We’re us: a handshake, a smile good morning on the bus, a door held open, a seat we give up on the subway. We tend restrooms or sell art, make huevos rancheros or herbed salmon, run for mayor or restock shelves, work a backhoe or write poems. We’re a poem in progress.”
— Richard Blanco, excerpt from Declaration of Interdependence

We launched AYLF’s first-ever cohort in Miami in 2023 with Fellows who hail from across the city, contributing rich perspectives and experiences.

Meet Miami’s Fellows

  • Shameaka Etienne
  • Maria Fernanda Torres
  • Karen Molina

Miami Program Facilitators

  • Aleidra Allen

    Aleidra Allen

    team/youth facilitator coach

    Field Organizer
    Movement 4 Black Lives

  • Leslie Calendario

    Leslie Candelario

    youth facilitator

    AYLF Senior Fellow
    Student, Florida International University

  • Julian Carter

    Julian Carter

    local action coordinator

    Analyst, Southeast Florida Fusion Center

  • Kennedy Robinson-Birt

    Kennedy Robinson-Birt

    Facilitator

    Director of Multicultural Student Affairs
    University of Miami

  • Demi Trimm

    Demi Trimm

    youth facilitator

    AYLF Senior Fellow
    Grants and Program Associate, Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands

  • Ronald Wabamnor

    Ronald Wabomnor, EdD.

    lead facilitator

    Dean of Students
    Florida International University

Miami Advisory Council

SANDRA LOUK LAFLEUR

Director, Changemaking Education and Social Innovation
Miami Dade College

DR. RYAN C. HOLMES

Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students
University of Miami

JOSE DIAZ

Tax Professional
Deloitte

KARLA BACHMANN

Vice President of Financial Wellness
Branches

MELODY TIMOTHEE

Visual Artist/Photographer
Melody Timothee Photography

ANGIE LAPIANA URRUTIA

Administrative Coordinator, MMC
Florida International University

Miami Partners

We are extremely grateful to the array of local organizations with whom we partner to ensure young leaders across Miami have access to opportunity.

Branches
Breakthrough Miami
Florida International University
Mexican-American Council
Miami Dade College
Miami Dade County Public School District
St. Thomas University
TheDream.us (Miami)
University of Miami