2026 Leadership Academy: Los Angeles
The 2026 Leadership Academy: Los Angeles brings together young leaders with lived experience in foster care to turn their expertise into action. Through six months of leadership and policy training, participants build the skills and relationships to bring their voices directly to decisionmakers, shaping stronger policies and systems for foster youth across Los Angeles. In October 2026, their hard work will culminate in Los Angeles Foster Youth Shadow Day: two days of action and engagement with City and County leaders.
Meet the Los Angeles 2026 Cohort
Alyssa Davis
Amber Rosado-Esteves
Angelica Rivas
Anthony Vizcarrondo
Ashley Carter
Chaida Bango Bango
Cierra Draper-West
Emily Williams
Emma Espinoza
Ericka Mickelson
Huyanna Clearwater
Ivory Bennett
Jennifer Martinez
Jennifer Thonrithi
Jesse Fager
Joseph Mariscal
Junely Merwin
Leroy Berrones Soto
Lucinda Langley
Mary-Lynn
Myriah Smiley
Nancy Konjo
Natalia Campbell
Paige Daniels
Quijai “Jay Jay” Johnson
RaDawn Austin
Richard Liu
Saphire Woodruff
Sapphire Murphy-Powell
Selena Bermejo Romero
Timothy Woody
Tina Harris