About Us

Our Mission

I Am Why expands the individual and collective power of emerging adult women of color and gender-expansive activists through leadership development and artistic expression, connecting lived experience in disruptive systems to personal narrative, authentic storytelling, and bold advocacy.

Our Approach

I Am Why centers young activists in all our work using three approaches:

A methodology that is authentic, connecting young activists’ narratives to policy and practice;
Communications tools and opportunities that clarify issues, reframe solutions and model shared power; and
Movement building through young women’s direct engagement with systems we aim to change.

Our History

In April 2018, eight young women and gender expansive activists gathered for a two-day workshop in New York City to express their strengths and visions for power and justice through photographic portraits and creative writing. The energy, siblinghood and power created through that workshop was a major first step toward achieving I Am Why’s two broad goals:

Building and implementing a model that expands the power and policy reach of young women and gender expansive activists; and
Influencing policy and practice to center self-determination and justice and align with the vision of young activist consultants.

Since 2018, I Am Why has held many workshops across the country and grown into a national collective of young women and gender expansive consultants who host webinars, provide professional mentorship, curate art exhibits, advocate for policy change, and have even published their very own art and social justice book. Our consultants work in teams and are nurtured through I Am Why’s model of nested peer and intergenerational mentorship. Through our eight teams—communications, curatorial, curriculum, marketing/social media, motherhood, planning, racial justice, and research/evaluation—I Am Why develops priorities and implements activities that are authentic and meaningful to young activists, and aim to catalyze a power shift and change policy.

Staff

La’Nesha Baldwin

Executive Director | Location: America Unincorporated

La’Nesha, born and raised in Chicago, began her journey in activism as a teen with A Long Walk Home—where her connection to I Am Why first took root. She is a dedicated social worker committed to expanding access and support within Black and Brown communities, but her impact doesn’t stop there. La’Nesha is versatile in how she shows up, pouring into the many communities she serves with intention and care.

She believes that healing begins when tough conversations are had and in managing the energy we allow around us. This philosophy fuels her vision to one day bring her restorative skills to life—creating spaces rooted in wellness, equality, balance, and love.

La’Nesha is a PowHER House, continuing to make HERstory!

She stands firm in her belief that there is ALWAYS a possibility—ALWAYS an opportunity—to make things happen right on time, not just for yourself, but for others too. ALWAYS, in all ways, she leads with purpose, healing, and unwavering faith.

I Am Why Activists

T’Onia Avery

Location: Wichita, Kansas

T’Onia is a young mother from Wichita, Kansas, working to break generational trauma within her family. She was drawn to I Am Why because she loves the work and the real conversations it creates about being a young mother and the challenges women face, period. I Am Why provides a safe, open space to be yourself, connect with people who can relate, and work together to change systems that are not fit. She is a youth justice advocate with experience at Progeny in Wichita, KS, and I Am Why. Her work focuses on amplifying youth voices and using trauma-informed storytelling to drive community-centered change. She is passionate about creating spaces where young people feel seen, supported, and empowered to speak for themselves. At the heart of her work is turning lived experience into leadership, healing, and meaningful reform.

Lanitta Berry

Location: North Carolina

As a pregnant and parenting teen growing up in the North Carolina foster care system, Lanitta Berry always had a passion for her peers and changing the system. During her advocacy career, she worked with agency staff at all three levels of government while also able to volunteer each year to give back to her community. These experiences allowed her to make connections that directly shaped the system by participating in grassroots organizing movements and transformative nonprofit spaces. In June 2019, Lanitta launched an organization called “At-Risk 4 Greatness” to provide technical assistance and innovative storytelling to advocates, community-based organizations, jurisdictions, and other stakeholders to develop reforms holistically.

Dynasty Bowen

Location: Wichita, Kansas

Dynasty is an emerging leader born and raised out of Wichita, KS. As a member of Destination Innovation and I Am Why she continues to walk in her purpose by uplifting the youth and helping black and brown girls learn the power of their voice. After joining an I Am Why workshop in 2022. Having such a big impact on her at that moment Dynasty joined the Motherhood Support Group shortly after. Dynasty then completed I Am Why’s Facilitator training and became an I Am Why facilitator. Over the past 2 years she has focused on learning and developing her skills as a facilitator. She is driven by her purpose focusing on ways to give young girls and gender expansive activists a voice and ways to advocate through art. Along this journey she has facilitated IAW Core Workshops and held many training sessions for upcoming facilitators. This had led her to join the curriculum building team. On this journey she will continue to build the brave spaces for these black & brown girls to feel seen and heard.

TK Cross

Location: Oakland, California

Elizabeth De Jesus

Location: Portland, Oregon

Elizabeth was born in Oaxaca, Mexico, and now resides in Portland, Oregon. She is the proud mother of three beautiful children, aged 15, 8, and 5. As a leader in her Latino community, Elizabeth is passionate about advocating for education and is actively involved in the police council. Her journey of personal growth and healing has been deeply influenced by her involvement with I Am Why, a program that has helped her overcome past traumas and build greater self-belief. Through her efforts, Elizabeth has contributed to creating a safe, supportive space for others, fostering a strong sense of community and empowerment.

Sage Grady

Location: West Haven, Connecticut

Mel Harris

Location: Harlem, New York

Mel was born in Harlem, NY. I Am Why has been an extraordinary experience for her. She has learned about women from different walks of life and, more importantly, learned a lot about herself. As an I Am Why consultant, Mel has watched the organization grow in ways she couldn’t imagine—from it being a discussion to putting together workshops to publishing a book—and she is extremely excited to see where it will go. Mel has spent her time under I Am Why helping the work move along while helping to facilitate trainings and meetings. Going forward Mel will continue to support I Am Why while using her resources in her community.

Mirah Marcus-Garcia

Location: Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo, New Mexico

Puwanini Tsawa; Blue Butterfly Ts’an T’en Po’a’a; New Winters Journey

Elmirah Marcus-Garcia is a young leader and advocate for young parents from the tribal nation known as Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo, New Mexico. Being born with hypothyroidism to a single mother who was trying to navigate the Indian Health Service presented a challenging childhood. While going through the educational system, Elmirah was often placed in a “particular” education program yet never adequately diagnosed with learning disorders. In later elementary school, a pattern of being referred to counseling for depression began, though a proper diagnosis was never given for this either. After becoming pregnant at 18, and knowing a healthcare system that had already failed her as a child, Elmirah didn’t want the system to let down her son.

Elmirah sought prenatal care through a free-standing non-profit birth center that uses traditional styles of birthing, including home birth practices. After having her children on the reservation in her grandparent’s home, she slowly worked towards speaking up for those young parents who experienced gaps in healthcare. Elmirah works as a Young Parent Advocate for Birth of My Heart Birthplace while consulting for I Am Why. Within I Am Why, Elmirah leads the Embracing Creative Freedom pod, is a co-lead for the Speak On Us/Self-Advocacy pod, and participates in the Reproductive Justice/Motherhood pod. During her time with I Am Why, she has stepped into her leadership on numerous occasions, such as accepting the role of co-leading the Speak On Us/Self-Advocacy pod. She has also achieved one of her dreams of being a published writer by producing blogs on the I Am Why website.

Aliyah Young

Policy and Research Consultant | Location: Chicago, Illinois

Aliyah is a Chicago-born activist and youth advocate. She holds a bachelor’s degree in anthropology, African and Black Diaspora Studies, and Latin American and Latino Studies. She is currently pursuing her master’s in history at DePaul University. She will soon pursue an additional master’s in Information Studies with a concentration in Archives and Cultural Heritage Management. She is passionate about equity and restorative justice and enjoys interrogating and challenging hegemonic historical narratives. She currently serves as I Am Why’s Policy and Research Consultant.

Advisors

Lauren Adelman

Arts, Curriculum, and Partnerships Advisor | Location: Beacon, New York

Lauren Adelman is an artist, educator and collaborator based in Beacon, NY. She is a consultant for projects within the field of social justice, abolition, youth leadership and the arts, most specifically I Am Why. She co-founded Artistic Noise first in Boston in 2001 and then in New York in 2008. As a social practice visual artist Lauren works in community with others to create transformative spaces and experiences. In 2023 Lauren co-founded Roll Out, a printmaking collective committed to community, creativity, education and printmaking for all. Lauren has taught and led community-based art projects in many varied settings including schools, museums, detention centers and community organizations both nationally and internationally. She received a BFA from The School of The Museum of Fine Arts and a MA in Arts Education from NYU. Lauren’s own studio practice explores environmental and social issues through printmaking, drawing, installation and animation.

Annie Balck

Policy and Research Advisor | Location: Reston, Virginia

Annie is an independent consultant with deep expertise in areas of youth legal system reform and girls and young women involved in the youth legal system. She has also worked on a variety of projects related to the child welfare system, special education and disability rights. Through her consulting work, Annie helps her clients develop research, strategy and messaging to support their specific reform goals and to create systems that are equitable, just and effective. She conducts in-depth secondary research and analysis, writes and edits research-based content, and mentors developing researchers and writers. Over her 20-year career, Annie has written and contributed to nearly 30 policy papers, reports and research summaries for clients including The Annie E. Casey Foundation; Justice and Joy National Collaborative; Center on Gender Justice and Opportunity at Georgetown Law Center; John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation; National Association of Counsel for Children; Justice System Partners; National Youth Justice Network; and Justice Policy Institute. Annie co-authored the seminal 2015 report, Gender Injustice: System-Level Juvenile Justice Reforms for Girls with I Am Why founder and president Francine Sherman. Annie has been an advisor and mentor at I Am Why since 2018, working with young people on issues related to research, writing, messaging, strategy and policy reform. She is licensed as an attorney in Washington, D.C. and Michigan, and has a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law School and a Bachelor of Arts in English from University of Michigan. Annie lives in northern Virginia with her husband, four children and dog.

Felicia Mosley Smith

Strategic Planning and Development Advisor | Location : New York, New York

Felicia Mosley Smith is a non-profit leader, advocate, and therapist dedicated to advancing criminal justice reform, community mental health, and strategic partnerships in New York City. She specializes in program design and organizational development She works to expand access to mentorship, housing stability, career development, and mental health resources for justice-involved youth. Felicia plays a key role in advocating for fair policies and developing sustainable programs that prioritize rehabilitation over incarceration. Her expertise in strategic planning and program development has strengthened support systems, bridged service gaps, and created meaningful opportunities for those most in need. As a dedicated professional and mother of two, Felicia understands the importance of resilience, empowerment, and community support in creating lasting change. She remains committed to fostering mental well-being, equity, and long-term success for individuals and families. Felicia is a licensed clinical social worker. She holds a Bachelors Degree from Temple University and Masters Degree from University of Connecticut.

Board of Directors

Chanelle Elaine

Chanelle Elaine is a Social Impact Producer, working in community with filmmakers, activists and philanthropists committed to cultural and social transformation. Founder of CreativeBionics, Chanelle has produced videos, live and virtual events for the Novo, Ford, Gates and Surdna foundations, Grantmakers for Girls of Color, Black Girls Freedom Fund, Black Feminist Fund, the Women’s March on Washington, President Obama’s Tribal Nations and Generation Indigenous Youth conferences, Women and Justice Project, plus many other organizations committed to equality and diversity.

CreativeBionics’ collaboration in the fall of 2020 with Supermajority, the largest female-led political organization in the nation, was the live production Supercharge 2020. A virtual event focused on energizing the electorate, it was successful in registering over 150,000 voters leading up to the 2020 election. It included special appearances by Vice-President Kamala Harris, Senator Elizabeth Warren, Rep. Ayanna Pressley, Dolores Huerta, Eva Longoria and many, many others. Chanelle’s first feature, First Match, is a Netflix Original and winner of the SXSW Audience and LUNA Gamechanger awards.

Chanelle is also honored to have been a fellow within Sundance, SFFilm, Independent Filmmaker Project, Tribeca All Access, and Film Independent institutions and was a Dean’s Fellow at Columbia University, where she received her Master of Fine Arts.

Xochtil Larios

Xochtil Larios is a 2018 recipient of the California Endowment 2018 Youth Award as a Community Champion. She served as the youngest fellow of the Peer-to-Peer Initiative through the Community Justice Network for Youth Program of the Burns Institute in 2018. She is also a vital youth commissioner on the Alameda County Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Commission.

As CURYJ’s youth justice program associate, Ms. Larios brings her own innovative Youth Transformation Curriculum to detained youth offenders, and is a respected researcher and advisor in the Dream Beyond Bars’ justice system transformation recommendations. Ms. Larios is also a consultant for the I Am Why national policy and art project that connects young women’s experiences to research on policy, practice and programs that work. In addition to serving on I Am Why’s board, she is co-lead of the curatorial team and is a valuable member of the curriculum team, helping to design an art-making and writing workshop curriculum that is being used nationwide.

Francine T. Sherman

Founder and President | Location: Newton, Massachusetts

Francine is a Clinical Professor Emerita at Boston College Law School where she taught Juvenile Justice and Children’s Rights and Public Policy for over thirty years and where she founded the Juvenile Rights Advocacy Program. She speaks and writes widely about the youth legal system and, in particular, about girls and young women in the legal system. Francine has spoken before Congress and at the White House; served on a U.S. Department of Justice National Advisory Committee on Violence Against Women focusing on children and teens victimized by domestic violence and sexual assault; and as consultant to OJJDP’s National Girls Initiative. Her report, Gender Injustice: System-Level Juvenile Justice Reforms for Girls, provides a comprehensive overview of the needs and pathways of girls into and through the youth legal system and details a developmental approach to current youth legal system reforms. She is also the author of Gender, Justice and Youth Development in the Oxford Handbook of Children and the Law, Juvenile Justice: Advancing Research, Policy and Practice (Wiley & Sons), and “Justice for Girls: Are We Making Progress?” (UCLA Law Review). She regularly consults with national and local foundations and systems on issues related to gender and youth legal systems. She consults with the International Legal Foundation, where she has worked in the West Bank and Myanmar.

Francine is a co-founder of Artistic Noise and, as founder of I Am Why, is incredibly excited about I Am Why’s growth and the power of our young women and gender expansive consultants. She is I Am Why’s photographer and provides research and operations support.

Lina To carter

K. Shakira Washington, Ph.D., M.P.A.

K. Shakira Washington, Ph.D. is vice president of advocacy and research at National Crittenton. Dr. Washington has combined community organizing, advocacy and behavioral research to address the social, economic and political inequities faced by marginalized communities with a specific focus and interest in communities of color. Her work has included training and engaging youth and community members in participatory action research (PAR), facilitating discussions between communities most impacted by harmful policies and practices and decision makers, and assisting with the design and implementation of research studies focused on issues such as cancer and HIV/AIDS prevention, and impact of adversity during childhood on individual and community outcomes. Her most recent work has focused on program and policy change for girls, young women and gender expansive youth who have been exposed to various forms of adversity and violence and the challenges they face as a result of these experiences, including youth homelessness, school disconnection and pushout, intergenerational poverty, and juvenile justice and child welfare involvement. Her work is focused on engaging youth as leaders of social change that seeks to shift existing narratives that are antithetical to health and healing. Dr. Washington received her bachelor’s degree in urban studies from San Francisco State University, master’s degree in public administration from New York University, Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service, and her doctorate in behavioral and community health from the University of Maryland, College Park, School of Public Health.