NYC FutureForward Participants

Building Pathways for Young Justice Leaders

The NYC FutureForward Program is Canary Impact’s newest initiative created for justice-impacted young people ages 18–25 living in New York City. This program provides mentorship, resources, and skills that help participants turn their lived experiences into leadership opportunities and community-driven impact. Through a mix of in-person gatherings and virtual sessions, FutureForward offers a flexible space where participants can grow, connect, and lead change.

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2026 Participants

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Zakearah Young

She/Her

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La’Asia Gunn

She/Her

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Damahri Johnson

He/Him

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Cedric Green

He/Him

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2025 Participants

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khallid

Khallid Barber

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jesiah

Jesiah Fernandez

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charles

Charles Nival

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tykim

Tykim Perry

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sulaiman

Sulaiman Sesay

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Zakearah Young

She/Her

PROJECT

Bridging the Gap: Youth, Community & Opportunity

Hii! My name is Zakearah! I am 20 years old currently in BMCC I love traveling, cooking, writing, reading, and baking! I love taking on new challenges and learning new thing/techniques! I am an entrepreneur of a couple small businesses. (Clothing, flyers, Baking, Candles, and babysitting). I’m basically a jack of all trades and love taking on something new to improve myself!

ABOUT THE PROJECT

My project is a youth focused community initiative designed to connect young people with mentorship, leadership development, resources, entrepreneurship, and positive opportunities. Through workshops, community events, partnerships, and social media outreach, I aim to build trust, strengthen community connections, and help youth overcome barriers to success.

La’Asia Gunn

She/Her

PROJECT

A Space For YOU(th)

I want to build a journey of self healing and growth, empowering youth to become the best version of themselves.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

This is a growing space for empowering youth, providing personal development, mental health resources, and community connection and much more to better themselves. Also artistic expression through workshops or activities that encourage self-discovery.

Damahri Johnson

He/Him

PROJECT

Preserve First Circle

Damahri Johnson; he is a young man who is big on morals, he knows he isn’t a perfect person but also believes if your heart is in the right place & your actions align with intention then something tangible should be produced from said traits. However, the trials he has encountered has challenged beliefs of his. Yet being faithful in those same beliefs is what empowered him to take on the Canary Impact Application; the chance to create an opportunity that he wish he had been presented with earlier in his youth, and to encourage young men to take on a career field that is open to them as well as has a demand for their physical capabilities!

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Preserve First Circle is about targeting neglected older adults within underserved communities through improving lives of young men within those communities. At PFC our mission is to properly equip young men who feel at a disadvantage from the lack of resources, support or systematic injustice to successfully thrive within their communities to be the change. Preserve First Circle offers hands on skills training, healthcare focused workshops, personal growth opportunities and much more ways to help improve the individual lives within our surrounding communities!

Cedric Green

He/Him

PROJECT

Omega Inc

I am a computer engineering and cybersecurity professional passionate about using technology to solve real-world problems and create opportunities for others. My background includes cybersecurity education, hands-on technical projects, digital forensics, networking, ethical hacking, and security operations. Through my academic and professional experiences, I have developed a strong interest in making cybersecurity more accessible to students, small businesses, and communities that may not have the resources or knowledge to protect themselves.

I am also passionate about leadership, mentorship, and personal development. My goal is to continue developing my technical expertise while creating opportunities for others to enter and succeed in the technology and cybersecurity fields.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Omega Incorporated is a technology and cybersecurity-focused business dedicated to helping individuals, small businesses, and organizations better understand, manage, and protect their technology. Our services are designed around three core areas: cybersecurity, technology solutions, and education.

We aim to provide accessible cybersecurity services including security assessments, penetration testing, digital forensics, security monitoring, vulnerability management, and cybersecurity awareness training. At the same time, we want to create educational opportunities that help students and aspiring professionals develop practical cybersecurity skills and prepare for careers in technology.

Our long-term vision is to build a community-driven technology organization that combines professional cybersecurity services with education, mentorship, and workforce development. By making cybersecurity knowledge and resources more accessible, Omega‘s tech seeks to help organizations become more secure while creating pathways for the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.

khallid

Khallid Barber

Khallid Barber is a motivated professional with experience in youth development, team leadership, and technology. He is a senior scholar completing his B.S. in Computer Information Systems at SUNY Buffalo State. With leadership roles spanning aerospace and nonprofit sectors, Khallid has successfully managed operations, trained staff, and delivered measurable process improvements. As a justice-impacted individual, Khallid has transformed his lived experience into a mission to break barriers to employment for returning citizens through technology-driven solutions. He is currently developing an app that connects justice-involved individuals with fair-chance employers and training programs, while remaining active as a mentor and community leader in New York City.
jesiah

Jesiah Fernandez

Jesiah Fernandez is a 23-year-old professional from Manhattan, New York, with deep roots in the Lower East Side. A former collegiate basketball player, he now works in union healthcare, where he supports working families in accessing vital benefits and resources. Beyond his career, Jesiah is developing a community-based music program that blends mentorship, creativity, and skill-building to open doors for young people who often face limited opportunities. Having grown up in environments where change and growth were not always easy, Jesiah draws on his lived experience to inspire others to pursue education, leadership, and personal growth. He is deeply committed to resilience, community development, and showing the next generation what is possible through perseverance and purpose-driven action.
charles

Charles Nival

Charles Nival is a 23-year-old mentor, facilitator, and community leader from the Bronx who understands firsthand the challenges of growing up in underserved communities. As a graduate of programs such as the Bronx Osborne Gun Accountability & Prevention Program (BOGAP) and Good Shepherd Services, he experienced the transformative power of mentorship, accountability, and second chances. Today, Charles channels those lessons into supporting youth, justice-impacted individuals, and adults through mentorship, workshops, and community initiatives. He currently serves as a mentor and trainer at his former schools and facilitates programming with BOGAP and the Haywood Resilience Project. His work is rooted in breaking cycles of incarceration and violence by creating spaces for healing, resilience, and opportunity. Guided by his lived experience and deep commitment to his community, Charles is building a legacy of leadership, hope, and change for the next generation.
tykim

Tykim Perry

Tykim Perry is a dynamic leader with a passion for creativity, innovation, and community support. With experience working alongside young people and grassroots initiatives, he is committed to designing projects that inspire growth, learning, and opportunity. His current work focuses on developing creative programs that blend mentorship, skill-building, and community engagement, giving youth the tools they need to succeed both personally and professionally. Rooted in a belief that breaking barriers opens doors for future generations, Tykim strives to make a lasting impact by uplifting others and fostering spaces where imagination and leadership can thrive. He envisions a future where every young person has the chance to reach their full potential and contribute meaningfully to their community.
sulaiman

Sulaiman Sesay

Sulaiman Sesay is passionate about uplifting underserved communities and equipping young people with the tools to succeed. For the past three years, he has worked closely with youth across the city and currently serves as a Student Success Coach with City Year. Through his initiative, Prevent and Prosper, Sulaiman focuses on teaching digital and financial literacy to foster independence and long-term success for the next generation. He is deeply committed to mentorship, entrepreneurship, and community leadership as pathways to lasting change, with the goal of building bridges that empower young people to thrive.