Posted on May 15, 2026
The Newark Future Policymakers Program, in its fifth year now, is an immersive advocacy training initiative that empowers local youth to shape civic policies. Fellows analyze real-world urban issues, build professional organizing skills, and drive meaningful, community-led change. Read about the fellows in this year's cohort.
Sheguyma Bazile
Sheguyma is a first-year student at Rutgers University–Newark studying Public & Nonprofit Administration and Sociology. From Trenton, New Jersey, she aspires to become an urban planner with a community development focus, driven by the belief that land, policy, and investment patterns determine whether communities are stable or constantly displaced. She hopes to help design and implement policies that expand community ownership, especially in historically Black neighborhoods. Her experience spans youth programming, education support, and community-based initiatives centered on empowerment and practical skill-building. As a 2026 Newark Future Policymakers Fellow with Advocates for Children of New Jersey, she is strengthening her ability to analyze policy, understand systems of power, and develop solutions that directly impact children, families, and communities. Her long-term goal is to become an urban planner who develops infrastructure, programs, and services that allow communities to truly thrive—building environments that support both youth and elders and embed opportunity, stability, and care into everyday life.
Kaysi Charrington
Kaysi is a senior at Great Oaks Legacy Charter High School and the youngest Fellow of Advocates for Children of New Jersey. Hailing from Brooklyn but residing in Newark, she is a youth advocate dedicated to championing equity, education reform, and youth-driven policy change. She is a prominent member of the Youth Power Action Coalition's steering committee, where she engages in policy development, civic action organizing, and frequent testimony at school board meetings. She serves on the NJ4S Essex Student Advisory Board and is the only student serving on her school's Board of Trustees for the 2025–2026 academic year. She has also been appointed Council Member for a Day in Newark for four consecutive years. She aims to become a practicing attorney focused on intellectual property and corporate law, and is passionate about advocating for equitable education, ending the school-to-prison pipeline, and addressing housing injustice.
Nathan Duguid
Nathan is a Newark-based youth organizer, writer, and policy advocate whose work sits at the intersection of racial justice, democratic participation, and community-based reform. He is a sophomore at Rutgers University–Newark studying Sociology with a minor in Social Justice, and is the founder and president of the Young Voters Association, a youth-led civic engagement organization focused on expanding young people's power in public life. His work has included Vote16 advocacy, education policy organizing, campaign finance leadership in Newark school board politics, qualitative research, and public-facing civic programming. He also serves as an Alumni Ambassador and Intern Coordinator with the New Jersey Public Charter School Association, writes on youth politics, race, and power, and recently led #RCROWNS, a multimedia project and symposium examining Black hair, identity, and policy. His work has been recognized through fellowships and public engagement across Rutgers and beyond.
Manpreet Kaur
Manpreet is a junior at Rutgers University on the pre-law track. She currently interns as a Policy and Advocacy Intern at Advocates for Children of New Jersey, where she supports youth in civic engagement and policy initiatives. Passionate about advocacy, she hopes to pursue a career in law to advance justice and expand access to legal resources.
Kaley Klapisch
Kaley is a senior at Rutgers University–Newark majoring in English with minors in Urban Education and Social Justice, as part of the Honors Living-Learning Community program. Originally from Westwood, New Jersey, she currently works as an Outreach & Organizing Intern at the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice. She looks forward to building a foundation of education policy knowledge through this fellowship.
Lakita Lloyd
Lakita is a young leader whose work is rooted in resilience, advocacy, and a deep commitment to justice. Her leadership journey began as a founding member of SHE Wins, where she helped create a supportive space for girls to grow in confidence and leadership. She later expanded her impact by serving on the first youth board at HopeBound, contributing to mental health initiatives for young people, and through the Wilhelmina Holder Foundation, where she developed skills in policy, community advocacy, and civic engagement. At 17, she survived a life-altering car accident that left her a quadriplegic. Rather than allowing that moment to define her limits, she turned it into purpose—relearning how to speak, move, and navigate life while becoming a strong advocate for accessibility and equity. After more than 30 surgeries, she continues to rise with faith, determination, and transparency. Through her growing presence on TikTok and her advocacy for people with disabilities and communities of color, she uses her voice to encourage others to embrace who they are and pursue their dreams. Committed to breaking barriers and creating opportunities for those who come after her, she is preparing for a future in criminal justice and systemic change.
Sehar Mehnoor
Sehar was born in Pakistan and moved to the United States as a teenager, earning her GED before pursuing higher education. She received an associate degree in Mathematics and is now a senior at Rutgers University, majoring in Political Science with minors in Mathematics and Philosophy. She has gained hands-on experience as a legal assistant, supporting research, case preparation, and client advocacy, which deepened her understanding of the legal system and public policy. Passionate about using education and policy to create opportunities for underserved communities, she joined ACNJ to develop her skills in policy analysis and advocacy, engage with leaders working to advance equity, and contribute to programs that promote positive social change. Outside of her academic and professional work, she enjoys mentoring peers, exploring interdisciplinary approaches to problem-solving, and staying informed on current events that shape local and national policy.
Yasmina Ouedraogo
Liyalani is a proud Black Muslim woman born and raised in Newark, New Jersey. She serves as a K–6 educator and volunteer mentor with Newark Public Schools, and is the Co-Leader of the NCNW Legislative Policy and Advocacy Subcommittee, where she drives initiatives to uplift and protect urban communities. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from Rutgers University, and her work centers on mental health, disability rights, and empowering people in underserved neighborhoods. As she explores pathways in macro social work and works toward building her own nonprofit, she remains committed to creating sustainable, community-driven change—work she looks forward to expanding through the Newark Future Policymakers Fellowship.
Liyalani Roebuck
Lakita is a young leader whose work is rooted in resilience, advocacy, and a deep commitment to justice. Her leadership journey began as a founding member of SHE Wins, where she helped create a supportive space for girls to grow in confidence and leadership. She later expanded her impact by serving on the first youth board at HopeBound, contributing to mental health initiatives for young people, and through the Wilhelmina Holder Foundation, where she developed skills in policy, community advocacy, and civic engagement. At 17, she survived a life-altering car accident that left her a quadriplegic. Rather than allowing that moment to define her limits, she turned it into purpose—relearning how to speak, move, and navigate life while becoming a strong advocate for accessibility and equity. After more than 30 surgeries, she continues to rise with faith, determination, and transparency. Through her growing presence on TikTok and her advocacy for people with disabilities and communities of color, she uses her voice to encourage others to embrace who they are and pursue their dreams. Committed to breaking barriers and creating opportunities for those who come after her, she is preparing for a future in criminal justice and systemic change.
Deonte Savage
Deonté Savage is a program leader and emerging policy practitioner focused on advancing equitable education, workforce development, and youth justice systems in Newark. He currently serves as a Site Manager and Project Lead with Newark Youth Career Pathways, where he leads efforts to expand access to career-connected learning and post-secondary pathways for young people across the city. His policy interests center on education access, workforce equity, and community-based approaches to youth development. Deonté’s work has included supporting initiatives aimed at reducing youth incarceration and increasing investment in community-driven alternatives, as well as strengthening partnerships between schools, community organizations, and public systems to better serve historically underserved youth.Earlier in his career, Deonté contributed to nonprofit leadership and talent strategy as a Search Analyst at On-Ramps, and supported citywide youth initiatives through his work with My Brother’s Keeper Newark. Across his roles, he has remained committed to bridging community voice and public systems to drive more equitable outcomes. A Newark native, Deonté holds a B.A. in Business Administration from Morehouse College. Outside of his professional work, he is a worship leader, financial literacy advocate, and singer-songwriter.
Jocelyn Tapia
Jocelyn graduated from Rutgers University in 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Public Policy and a minor in Business Administration. She currently serves as a Program Officer Fellow at The MCJ Amelior Foundation. Previously, she worked as a Youth Development Specialist with Rutgers Future Scholars, supporting students through academic and personal development. Born and raised in Newark, she is passionate about deepening her community involvement and advancing advocacy through policy, particularly in education and youth development.
Mohamad Wattar
Mohamad is a freshman at Rutgers University majoring in Finance. A strong advocate for minimizing technology use in schools, he believes in consistency as a foundation for personal growth and strives to become a better person every day.
