Our Team

I am excited for the opportunities that A Leadership Journey will give to young people across the United States. Their commitment to become the best version of themselves is our commitment to help them.

Akeem was born in Brooklyn, New York; he grew up and was raised in Atlantic City, NJ. His grandparents instilled in him the importance of service, his teachers and mentors helped him understand his role in it.

He received his B.A in African American Studies from Rutgers University-Camden Campus. He continued his education at Temple University where he earned his Master's in Urban Education, focusing on Youth Development.

This is a chance that can enhance the development of how young people engage their world views and goals that they set for themselves in the years to come. Changing a legacy while actually creating one at the same time is rare to come by.

Justin received his Bachelor of Science-Finance, from Rutgers University. After moving back to his home state of Connecticut, he continued to grow his academic portfolio by earning two Masters, a Masters in Business Administration, and a Masters in Accounting & Taxation, both from the University of Hartford. 

Maryam is a senior in college studying business marketing at Suffolk University. She has been a part of A Leadership Journey for 5 years. She traveled to Kenya as a sophomore and Ghana as a senior. She resides in Boston, MA. Maryam is passionate about racial justice issues and bridging gaps for marginalized communities.
 

She’s passionate about advocating for BIPOC communities. Maryam’s love for A Leadership Journey is what led her to take on the role. She believes that there are many benefits from being a participant of ALJ that can positively impact each participant.

In her words, she says, "the takeaways from the experiences ALJ provides are too powerful to not be used as tools for participants of color to maneuver through life." “Although we are all different, our lives are intersected in ways we wouldn’t know if it weren’t for our conversations in ALJ”. She’s excited to partake in this role to serve as an amazing role model for youth who decides to journey with A Leadership Journey. 

Danicka is an ALJ alumnus who spent her senior year as a participant. In 2023, she served as a peer mentor to ALJ participants. With her experience as a participant and mentor, she will add value to all things ALJ as a Leadership Team Member.

Daniella is an ALJ alumnus who spent her senior year as a participant in ALJ. In 2023, she served as a peer mentor to ALJ participants who traveled to South Africa. Daniella's commitment to supporting the organization and the youth who will be coming after her is a gift, and we are happy to welcome her into this role as a Leadership Team Member. 

A Providence native, Ablaye volunteered with ALJ during our Health and Wellness Ubuntu summer program (USP) in 2023. Having a passion to work with youth, he loved the experience, and wanted to do more as a team member. He will now serve as the USP coordinator.

I’m excited to work with A Leadership Journey because I don’t know many youth programs that  offer the same opportunities or accessibility for teens of color to become change agents not only through awareness and personal development but through global experiences also. ALJ aligns with my life purpose of helping youth globally and my positive and civic youth development ideologies.  

I was born in Palm Beach, Florida and raised in Providence, RI. I’ve attended both the Providence public and charter school. I attended Rhode Island College where I received my B.A. in Youth Development with a concentration in Global Studies and a certificate in Nonprofit Studies and Mental Health First Aid. Whether it be my routine, making products, watching videos, or just reading interesting articles, skin care is one of my favorite hobbies. 

I want to support young people the same way I wish I was supported in my youth and needed it most. This thought comes from the idea of how my parents left Haiti to come to this country so I can have what they couldn’t get. I plan to find a strategic way to obtain resources whether it be monastery or in-kind donation or even advice/mentorship that provides ALJ the liberty to continue with programming for the youth to further its mission.