AFJ Celebrates Our Participants And HIRE Up Partners In Honor Of Black History Month

At Avenues for Justice (AFJ), we celebrate Black history year round; 365 days! Over half (53%) of AFJ’s Court-involved Participants and 46% of AFJ’s Team identify as African American, with 100% of us grounded in the belief that Black young people deserve more than punishment. They deserve the chance to live, grow, and have opportunities—they deserve to avoid systemic barriers to access the resources needed to make ends meet.

Black History Month honors the often-overlooked contributions and achievements of trailblazing Black innovators, leaders, and pioneers to global civilization. Leaders like Civil Rights Activist and former US Senator, Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr., whose recent passing we mourn, but whose profound legacy we celebrate and cherish furthermore. Though not written by Reverend Jackson, this poem became synonymous with him. He turned a verse into a rallying cry at rallies in the 1960s and even on a 1972 episode of “Sesame Street.”

The poem goes: “I may be poor, / But I am Somebody. / I may be young, / But I am Somebody. / I may be on welfare, / But I am Somebody.”

At Avenues for Justice, we believe that where a young person starts off in life does not have to be the deciding factor of where their final stop to being Somebody will be. As we close out Black History Month, we acknowledge the injustices which our Participants face daily—but work diligently to overcome through AFJ's court advocacy and HIRE Up programming. Today, we want to celebrate some of our outstanding Participants and HIRE Up business partners who are paving their own path and by that very nature, writing new chapters in our history.

‍AFJ Participant KAYSEAN:

Kaysean is a ninth grader and a long-standing member of AFJ’s Leadership Council, where he has participated across six cycles. Since his enrollment in our HIRE Up program, Kaysean has matured into a confident and thoughtful young leader known for his willingness to speak truthfully about his experiences.

Kaysean is deeply committed to using his personal story of interaction with the legal system—including past challenges and teenage obstacles—as a tool to inspire and motivate his peers to make safer, more intentional decisions. He believes that “keeping it real” can create awareness, spark reflection, and help prevent others from going down harmful paths.

Through AFJ’s Leadership Council, Kaysean has found his voice, developed leadership skills, and found a sense of responsibility to his community as he grounds himself with honesty, growth, and purpose.

AFJ Participant DJ:

DJ is a tenth grader and a rising star in AFJ’s Leadership Council, currently participating in his second cycle with the program. His invitation into the Leadership Council came after a period of intentional growth where the AFJ Team observed his increasing maturity and accountability to self and others.

Prior to joining Leadership Council, DJ had always been an active, and very vocal, participant in AFJ’s Youth Empowerment workshops for several years. DJ has consistently demonstrated strong engagement, openness to feedback, and a willingness to reflect on his adolescent challenges. DJ turns his experience into teachable moments, often sharing how his struggles have shaped his mindset and decision-making.

DJ represented AFJ as one of the youth speakers for the launch of our Digital Technology Lab at our Harlem Community Center. DJ spoke about the importance of technology, access to resources, and the significance of AFJ’s new computer lab. DJ continues to use his voice to advocate for opportunities that help young people grow, stay informed, and make positive choices.

AFJ Participant Donald:

Donald is an eighth grader and perhaps the most dedicated member of our Leadership Council, currently participating in his second cycle with the program. Since Donald walked through the doors of our Harlem Community Center at the age of 10, he has participated in every single HIRE Up workshop, demonstrating his drive.

In the past three years, Donald has matured into a grounded young man who leads with wisdom, thoughtfulness, and compassion. At AFJ’s press conference with Congressman Dan Goldman, Donald shared his aspiration to become a therapist—an ambition which reflects his natural ability to listen, support others, and promote the importance of self-care and mental wellness to his peers.

After successfully completing his first cycle in Leadership Council, Donald stepped into the official role of AFJ Participant Representative. In this role, he represented AFJ on Spectrum News, where he spoke about the importance of digital literacy and access to technology for young people. Donald continues to use his voice to advocate for opportunities that empower youth and strengthen their futures.

‍MELISSA JOHNSON, AFJ Partner and Founder of Yummy Tummy's Kitchen

Melissa Johnson founded Yummy Tummy’s Kitchen, a bakery located in East Williamsburg, in 2011. For the past 10 years, Melissa operated Yummy Tummy’s out of her apartment until she decided it was time to invest in a storefront in 2021. Around the time of Yummy Tummy’s storefront opening, AFJ Job Developer Shantel Brooks, found Melissa's online store and placed several dessert orders for friends and colleagues. Impressed with Melissa’s exceptional customer service and quality baked goods, Shantel reached out to Melissa to inquire if there were placement opportunities for AFJ Interns.

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Partnering with Melissa has been a resounding success for both AFJ and Yummy Tummy’s. Since 2023, Melissa has graciously provided 10 AFJ Participants internship placements at her bakery. Due to the high overhead costs of operating a bakery in Brooklyn, Melissa could not afford to hire any employees in addition to herself. When the first two AFJ interns arrived, Melissa quickly noticed how her business instantly started operating more efficiently. Melissa delights in how “AFJ’s interns have become a critical function of my business.” This past weekend, Melissa was featured on abc7NY as she discussed how Yummy Tummy was on the verge of closing down, but then social media users rallied to support her and keep the doors to her business open.

“To have an AFJ intern activates purpose. You are pouring back into the community and giving young people something to do. You’re giving someone else the opportunity you didn’t have as a youth.” ~Melissa Johnson, Owner of Yummy Tummy’s

DAWN KELLY, AFJ Partner and Founder of The Nourish Spot Inc.

Dawn Kelly is the award-winning Founder & CEO of The Nourish Spot Inc., a family-owned, certified MWBE and ACDBE fresh juice and wellness brand founded in Jamaica, Queens in 2016 with her children, Owen and Jade Duncan. What began as a reinvention after a 30+ year career in public relations and marketing has grown into a trusted community hub and an expanding airport concessions platform.

Following the successful launch and one-year operation of a second location in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, The Nourish Spot returned its focus to its flagship Queens location, now entering its ninth year. Today, Dawn is an ACDBE and MWBE certified airport concessions operator and joint venture (JV) equity partner with AVOLTA, with multiple airport deals in development across JFK Terminals and LaGuardia airport.

Dawn is deeply committed to economic inclusion and workforce development. She supports Black and Brown women entrepreneurs, and mentors small business owners exploring airport concession opportunities. She also serves on the NYC Mayor’s Small Business Advisory Commission and the NYC Hospitality Alliance. Since partnering with AFJ, Dawn has provided 14 internship placements to 10 AFJ Interns.

A Queens native, single parent, and legacy builder, Dawn continues to bridge wellness, wealth, and opportunity—locally rooted, globally positioned. Dawn supports AFJ’s HIRE Up internship initiative because “providing internship opportunities for young people is deeply important to us at The Nourish Spot because this is the very community where our family’s 80-year legacy was built — and we believe it’s our obligation to lift as we climb. By opening doors for local youth to gain skills, confidence, and real-world experience, we’re investing back into the neighborhood that invested in us and helping cultivate the next generation of leaders.”

Recently, Dawn was honored, alongside her daughter Jade (COO of The Nourish Spot,) by Schneps Media as the Power Team of Queens. “To be recognized together with my daughter in the borough that raised us affirms our commitment to family, community, and legacy — and makes the journey even more powerful.”

At Avenues for Justice, we are calling in people who care about justice and the future of young people to partner with us. Empowering and supporting one young person through Avenues for Justice costs a fraction of incarceration and strengthens families and communities in the process. It is Justice in Action. Please email AFJ’s Job Developer, Shantel Brooks, if you have employment opportunities for our young adults: sbrooks@avenuesforjustice.org.