After a nationwide search and a values-driven and equity focused selection process we are thrilled to share the news that Youth First Justice Collaborative’s new executive director will be Michaela Pommells! Michaela brings the perfect balance of organizing, youth leadership, and management expertise to serve YFJC in this next exciting phase of our work together.
Michaela brings over a decade of expertise in grassroots organizing and a proven track record of working in partnership with directly impacted young people to build campaigns to successfully close youth prisons. As a former state campaign director, she led the Care, Not Control Campaign, a highly effective campaign to close youth prisons in Pennsylvania.
“Youth First has an extraordinary history of building power, changing hearts and minds and supporting campaigns to win for youth and their families,” said Michaela Pommells. “We all know it is a fraught legislative and media climate for youth justice issues; in this time I hope to bring out of the box thinking and creative strategies to build power and support change even when it is an uphill battle. I look forward to centering directly impacted people and empowering pathways towards speaking with lawmakers, media, and others in ways that don’t just use up their story but build power and hand over the reins to their expertise.”
“What I liked about working with Michaela in her role as an organizer with Care, Not Control was that she could relate to a lot of what we’ve been through – she was very understanding,” said youth leader, Anahi Figueroa-Martinez. “She has positive energy and she clearly dreams of a world where young people can thrive. She made us a priority and made us feel safe which helped build us up as leaders. She worked hard to make others recognize our work and how much we have to offer.”
“I have had the privilege to work closely with Michaela for years as she led the Care, Not Control Campaign, a highly effective campaign to close youth prisons in Pennsylvania, and I have witnessed her leadership in action,” said Mishi Faruqee, director of the Andrus Family Fund, and former executive director of Youth First. “Michaela has a deep commitment to and experience in supporting young people who have been impacted by youth incarceration to become leaders in the movement to abolish youth prisons. She also has a proven track record of successfully organizing and building power in frontline communities to promote youth decarceration and investment in community alternatives. Michaela is a rising star in the youth justice field, and I couldn’t be more thrilled that shewill be leading the Youth First Justice Collaborative in its next chapter.”
This fall, Michaela will be leading us through a virtual relaunch to kick off the next phase of our shared work to close prisons and advocate for restorative community-based alternatives. Stay tuned for an email invitation to join our relaunch event. If you know others who may be interested in joining us please encourage them to sign up for our newsletter here.
If you are as excited as we are about Michaela’s appointment and would like to share the news on social media you can find a document with sample social posts and graphics here.
Leadership that puts youth first blazes a path for youth to lead the way!
