On February 7th, Young Invincibles’ New York office launched its eleventh cohort of the Young Advocates Program, our semester-long paid policy and advocacy fellowship, where young New Yorkers learn how to build campaigns for change on their campuses and across New York State.

The bios for the 2025 Spring New York Young Advocates are listed below. For more information about our Young Advocates Program, including information about applications for our Fall 2025 program, please fill out this Google Form.

 

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Akua Asante (she/her)
Graduate Student, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health

Akua Asante is a graduate student at Columbia University, studying Public Health and Public
Policy. She holds a degree in Neuroscience and Behavior/Cognitive Neuroscience from Rutgers
University and has participated in fellowships focused on housing policy, economic mobility,
and health equity. Passionate about addressing systemic inequalities, Akua aims to influence
housing and education policy through research and advocacy.

She joined the Young Advocates Program to strengthen her policy and organizing skills, ensuring that youth voices shape policies affecting their futures. As an Advocate, she hopes to drive meaningful change by advancing equitable health and economic policies for young people.

 

unnamed 95Hakeem Baksh (he/him)
Senior, Leadership & Public Service High School/Dual Enrollment Student at Touro College and CUNY City Tech (College Now)

Hakeem, a senior at the Leadership & Public Service High School, is dedicated to social justice and advocacy. He has been involved in projects centered around youth empowerment, policy reform, and addressing systemic inequalities, with a focus on promoting equality within both the school system and society. Hakeem is passionate about understanding how policy impacts communities and how advocacy can lead to meaningful change. He’s also an intern at the NYC Mayor’s Office of Appointments, member of the NYC Service Youth Leadership Council, former Library Fellow with Trinity Church Wallstreet, and former SYEP Researcher with the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Queens, based in Ozone Park, NY.

As a Young Advocate at Young Invincibles, he strives to amplify the voices of young people, advocate for fairer policies, and contribute to a more just and inclusive society. His goal is to inspire and empower other youth to take action and shape their futures.

 

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Gregory Clemens Jr. (he/him)
Senior, Baruch College, CUNY

Gregory Clemens Jr. is a senior marketing student at Baruch College. Originally from Newark, NJ, he relocated to Philadelphia at the age of 13 after losing his mother to community violence. Determined to break barriers, Gregory later moved to New York City to pursue his dreams as a creative entrepreneur. Throughout this journey, he has gained experience across finance, fashion, culinary arts, marketing, and advocacy. Gregory’s mission is to create opportunities for those overlooked due to personal trauma or background, empowering creatives and entrepreneurs with access to affordable education, food, and health care. As the CEO of CoppClem LLC, he is committed to driving meaningful change by fostering a supportive space for innovation and growth.

Through advocacy, including his engagement with the Young Advocates Program, Gregory aims to influence policies, providing individuals from underserved communities with the resources and support needed to build successful futures.

 

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Melissa Cole (she/her)
Senior, PACE University

Melissa Cole is a senior at Pace University’s Lubin School of Business, where she is continuing her education after earning an associate’s degree from Hudson Valley Community College. At PACE, Melissa works as a Student Assistant in the Office of Student Affairs and as a First-Generation Student Ambassador, developing initiatives to support first-generation student success. She is also a center midfielder for the Pace Women’s Soccer Team and a former team captain at Hudson Valley.

Melissa’s passion for leadership extends beyond the field, as she has mentored young athletes through Lansingburgh Youth Soccer. She joined the Young Advocates Program to amplify student voices and make tangible policy changes that improve opportunities for young people.

 

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Joseph Gordon (he/him)
Senior, SUNY New Paltz

Joseph Gordon is a senior at SUNY New Paltz, studying International Relations and Communications, and a graduate of the Bard Globalization and International Affairs (BGIA) program. He holds an Associate’s Degree in Economics and Business Studies from Westchester Community College. As a proud representative of the Black community, he advocates for marginalized groups and amplifies underrepresented voices internationally. His travels in Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean have shaped his worldview and commitment to cross-cultural understanding. Joseph’s work with the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) highlights his dedication to global sustainability and social justice, mainly through initiatives to preserve the Amazon rainforest.

Recognized for his leadership, Joseph participated in the Up to Us Leadership Conference, engaging with emerging leaders on fiscal policy and community-driven solutions. He is also a passionate songwriter and an alum of the New York Youth Symphony, where he learned the power of storytelling through music. Joseph is excited to join the Young Advocates program, where he aims to drive meaningful change and empower marginalized voices.

 

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Egberanmwen (Egbe) Imariagbe (she/her)
Junior, York College, CUNY

Egbe is a transfer student at CUNY York College, having previously attended George Washington University. She is studying Biology on the pre-med track and is a driven student with a strong interest in the field of health sciences, particularly cardiology, cardiovascular surgery, and research. Her goal is to attend medical school and become a cardiac surgeon. Currently, she works as a Perioperative Equipment Coordinator at Mount Sinai in NYC, where she plays a crucial role in ensuring the seamless operation of medical equipment in surgical settings.

She joined Young Invincibles to deepen her understanding of advocacy and research, particularly in equitable health care access, and hopes to create meaningful initiatives that address systemic inequities and promote policy-driven change. Outside of her academic and professional pursuits, she is deeply family-oriented and enjoys spending time with her family. She is also actively involved in her church and participates in various church activities.

 

unnamed 98Tasnim Moawad (she/her)
Junior, St. John’s University

Tasnim is a 20-year-old junior Legal Studies student at St. John’s University in New York City with minors in International and Fashion Studies. She is a proud first-generation Egyptian and Muslim-American from Long Island with a passion for justice and service has led in her community for nearly a decade. Her advocacy work began in middle school as Youth Leader of Masjid Fatima al-Zahraa in Ronkonkoma, contributing to fundraising and interfaith peace campaign efforts to establish the area’s first socio-religious community center of its kind. Tasnim is a paralegal at a Queens law firm, president of her school’s Arab Student Organization, founder of Suffolk County’s Youth Council, and former intern for the Suffolk County Legislature.

She aspires to become an attorney and joined YI to further develop the advocacy skills needed to make effective change in New York and beyond. She loves traveling, painting, and watching sunsets in her free time.

 

unnamed 2025 03 06T105822.911Sophia Pandya (she/her)
Freshman, NYU

Sophia Pandya is in her freshman year at New York University and plans to major in Urban Studies. She is especially interested in educational equity and intersectional labor organizing. Her previous work includes advocating for menstrual equity legislation and working as a Democracy Summer Fellow for Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro. She is currently part of the New York City Union of Students, which advocates for equitable distribution of resources in higher education, and a member of Students for International Labor Solidarity.

She joined Young Invincibles to seek mentorship and to better understand advocacy and policy-making in New York City. She loves creative writing, thrifting for jewelry, and baking.

 

unnamed 99Lamia Rathi (she/her)
Senior, Stony Brook University, SUNY

Lamia Rathi is a senior at Stony Brook University, double majoring in Political
Science and Sociology and a part of an accelerated Public Policy program, preparing her for
a future dedicated to advocacy and justice. Lamia’s ultimate goal is to become a Civil Rights attorney to give back to her community and support people of color by fighting for meaningful legal and social change.

Passionate about equity and inclusion, she believes law is one of the most
powerful tools for creating a fairer society. Whether through policy work, community engagement, or legal advocacy, Lamia wants to use her career to uplift marginalized voices and work toward systemic change. Outside of academics, she is incredibly extroverted and loves meeting new people; whether through leadership opportunities, networking, or everyday interactions, Lamia enjoys building connections and making an impact wherever she goes!

 

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Emely Vidal (she/her)
Sophomore, LaGuardia Community College, CUNY

Emely Vidal is a 23-year-old student at LaGuardia Community College, studying Health Sciences. As a bilingual immigrant from the Dominican Republic, she is passionate about health care, advocacy, and learning to develop stronger social skills. Emely is a certified Public Health Ambassador by the Public Advocate for the City of New York and a certified Love Leader through the Love Leader™ initiative, which works with communities to prevent and respond to domestic violence. In partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety (ONS), the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ), and the United Way of New York, this initiative focuses on providing education, training, and wellness programs in NYC neighborhoods that need it most.

She joined YI because Emely wants to continue growing as an advocate—improving her skills while also making a real difference in her community. Her goal is to use her voice and experiences to help create a safer, healthier world for others.

 

unnamed 100Anuva Wardah (she/her)
Junior, Stony Brook University, SUNY

Anuva is a 20-year-old college student in her junior year at Stony Brook University. She is studying Political Science and Sociology and is especially interested in digital infrastructure within developing nations. Before participating in YAP, she interned with the Queens Supreme Court and the Center for Political Behavioral Economy, examining how political biases have shifted through the years of the election. She joined YI to learn how to
make proactive change in her community.

In the future, she hopes to utilize the policy-building skills gained from the YAP to pursue a career in foreign service. She enjoys reading, playing board games, and chasing around her friend’s cats in her free time.

 

unnamed 22Tenzin Yingsal (she/her)
Sophomore, University of Albany, SUNY

Tenzin Yingsal is a first-generation student at the University at Albany, SUNY, where she double majors in Political Science and Communications and minors in Psychology. She is involved in the Rockefeller College Dean’s Leadership Council on campus. She is also a proud member of Phi Alpha Delta pre-law fraternity, serving as the fraternity’s Webmaster and a member of the Professional Development Team. Last summer, she interned at the Office of Assemblymember Steven Raga, which sparked her interest in state legislation.

Tenzin joined the Young Advocates Program to develop tangible skills to combat social injustice and strengthen her ability to advocate for individuals who have faced oppression. As the oldest daughter of Tibetan immigrants, this role has shaped her drive and resilience. Her experiences have deepened my passion for public service, and she hopes to pursue a Master’s in Public Administration after college, followed by law school, to further her advocacy and leadership in public policy.

 

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Ames Yu (they/them/he/him/her/hers)
Freshman, Barnard College at Columbia University

Ames Yu is currently a first-year student at Barnard College of Columbia University! As a native New Yorker, they are always on the prowl for new restaurant joints and up-and-coming theatre shows. Ames plans on studying Psychology and Sociology, with hopes of pursuing higher education. Not only that, but they are also proudly a first-generation, low-income student, and are a part of the Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunities Program.

When Ames isn’t reading the New York Times or working at the Columbia Daily Spectator, you can find them deeply engrossed at the local movie theater in
desperate hopes of whittling down their mile-long Letterboxd watchlist. A passionate activist since they could form sentences, their advocacy interests include LGBTQ+ rights, health care access, reproductive rights, current events, and local NYC affairs.