When Community Gives Back By Speaking Potential Into Our Young People

Yesterday afternoon, our flagship Lower East Side community center on “Avenues for Justice Way” was filled with something that can't be measured tangibly.

The room was packed! Families, community members, elected officials, mentors, Avenues for Justice (AFJ) Participants, and supporters gathered to exchange stories and connect with one another. There was laughter, reflection, and conversation. Most importantly, there was community.

It was exactly the kind of gathering that reminds us why AFJ exists.

As guests settled in, Board Chair, Dean Schaffer, welcomed everyone and reflected on the significance of this moment in June, where Juneteenth and Father's Day come together.

A Conversation About Leadership, Legacy, and Showing Up

AFJ’s Juneteenth Father's Day Panel brought together an extraordinary group of leaders, including Reverend A.R. Bernard, Congressman Dan Goldman, Assembly Member Keith Powers, Commissioner Wade Hardy, AFJ Facilitator Dr. Dennis Ibude, legal analyst Brian G. Buckmire, and AFJ Participant Aaron.

The conversation explored fatherhood, mentorship, personal responsibility, faith, service, and the importance of creating opportunities for young people. Panelists reflected on the lessons they learned from the people who helped shape their lives and the role they now play in helping others navigate theirs. By offering their guidance, dedicating their professional lives to service, and leading by example, they inspired the next generation to reach heights they never thought possible.

One of the most powerful moments wasn't about a title or position. It was seeing AFJ Participant Aaron, seated alongside faith leaders, elected officials, and community leaders. All contributing to the same conversation. Aaron wasn't there as a symbol of possibility. He was there because he had earned his place at the table.

The moment perfectly captured what we believe at AFJ. Young people do not need to wait until some future version of themselves to have a voice. Their experiences matter now. Their perspectives matter now. Their leadership matters now. Follow AFJ on Instagram at @avenuesforjustice for all of the Juneteenth Father’s Day Panel highlights.

A Well-Deserved Honor

Immediately after the panel, AFJ Participant Aaron left to attend a celebration by the Children’s Defense Fund, where he received the 2026 Samuel Halprin Youth Award. Joined by AFJ staff, event attendees, and Khin Mai Aung, New York State Director for the Children's Defense Fund, Aaron reflected on his personal growth.

Shortly before the panel concluded, Aaron had to leave a little early. He had somewhere important to be.

Aaron was recognized by the Children's Defense Fund as the recipient of the 2026 Samuel Halprin Youth Award. It was an honor that recognized his leadership, perseverance, and commitment to creating positive change in his community and with his AFJ peers.

For those who know Aaron's journey, the recognition could not be more fitting. To see him participating in a panel alongside some of New York's most respected leaders in the afternoon and receiving one of the nation's most meaningful youth awards in the evening felt less like a coincidence and more like a reflection of everything he has worked for.

We couldn't be prouder. You can learn more about Aaron's story by reading this week's Voices from our AFJ blog.

Aaron's story is exactly why these conversations matter. His journey reflects the power of opportunity and community investment - the very themes that shaped our gathering and connect directly to the significance of Juneteenth.

Honoring Juneteenth Through Action

Yesterday’s panel took place just days before Juneteenth, a day that is both a celebration of freedom and a reminder of the work that remains unfinished.

Throughout June, AFJ has been exploring the history of mass incarceration and its lasting impact on communities across the country. Understanding that history helps us better understand the barriers many young people continue to face today and why organizations like AFJ are so important.

At AFJ, our mission has always been about more than preventing incarceration. It is about creating pathways to opportunity and ensuring young people have access to mentors, education, employment, resources, and the support they need to thrive.

In many ways, that work reflects the spirit of Juneteenth itself: expanding opportunity, removing barriers, and building a future where every young person has the chance to reach their full potential.

Assembly Member Keith Powers closed the celebration by presenting AFJ’s Executive Director Liz Frederick with the Assembly State of New York Proclamation thanking her for dedicating 20 years to meaningful work in the community. Assembly Member Powers also allocated a grant to AFJ stating “the dedication to providing court advocacy and life-changing diversion programs for at-risk youth is truly transformative. By offering these essential resources and mentorship, you provide our young people with the second chances and professional support they need to lead successful, independent lives.”

That makes three Proclamations in 2026 for our Executive Director: Congressional recognition from Congressman Dan Goldman in March, Assembly State of New York Proclamation from Assembly Member Keith Powers at yesterday’s Juneteenth Father’s Day event, and today a City recognition from Council Member Harvey Epstein.

As we celebrate Juneteenth, a day that reminds us of the ongoing pursuit of freedom, opportunity, and justice, the AFJ community is aware that recognition like this is never an individual achievement. It reflects the work of an entire team that shows up every day for young people and families across New York City. Every milestone reached this year belongs to the AFJ team, our partners, and most importantly, our Participants, whose resilience and growth continue to inspire us.

We invite you to continue learning and reflecting alongside us. Read our blog, Confronting the History of Mass Incarceration, and catch Liz Frederick’s latest Tea with the ED, The Gap Between Promised and Delivered, to explore the connections between emancipation, systemic inequities, and the work that remains unfinished. Understanding this history helps us better support the young people we serve and strengthens our collective commitment to creating pathways to opportunity.