Be Brave Spotlight

Our goal.

Our #BeBrave Spotlight is an initiative that aims at amplifying the stories and ideas of people in our community. We believe that by spotlighting people from diverse backgrounds and experiences, we work towards our mission: to create a world where All Are Welcome.

2022 #BeBrave Spotlight

Vanessa.

On today’s #BeBrave Spotlight, we’re featuring Vanessa Zinke, LCSW from @Reachingresiliencetherapy ✨ Tell us about yourself: “I am a co-founder and psychotherapist at my private practice in NYC called Reaching Resilience Therapy. I am also a social worker in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) where I provide supportive counseling to parents who have babies admitted to the NICU. I also provide social work services to the non-profit organization Hope for HIE, by leading support groups and managing their peer mentor program. My family has originated from several places and I have mixed ancestry which includes German, Dutch, and Portuguese! I grew up in Wisconsin and have been in NYC for nearly 6 years.” 💗 Thank you for joining our community, Vanessa! And thank you Hannah @hananah19 for connecting us with Vanessa 🦋

Courtney.

Spotlighting Courtney Smith @courtney_ebonique - founder and CEO of @detroitphoenixcenter and Brave Pod guest #108 💞 Tell us about yourself: “I am an activist, social entrepreneur and writer living in Detroit, MI. I lead a nonprofit focused on creating pathways to success and stability for resilient young people experiencing housing insecurity. I am also in grad school studying business management.” ✨ Courtney talked with our host Ketia about the importance of mental health, creating community, and giving back. We’re so inspired by your leadership, work, and ideas Courtney! Thank you for joining our community 🦋

Ava.

Celebrating our wonderful App Resource Specialist, Ava 💙 Tell us about yourself: “I graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in May 2021 with majors in political science and interdisciplinary studies (latter is sort of a design-your-own major program). Currently work as a tutor in Manhattan and am the App Resource Specialist at the Brave House. My family is from Iran but I was born and raised in North Carolina.”✨ Ava is a proactive team member who works strategically to connect our members with key social services and resources through our App. We appreciate her eye for detail, fresh ideas, and efficiency. Thanks for being a part of our community, Ava! 🦋

Sabrina.

On today’s #BeBrave Spotlight we’re featuring Sabrina from the @bklynfoundation ✨ Tell us about yourself: “I immigrated to Brooklyn from Argentina at five years old and now live in Midwood with my husband and son. I work at the Brooklyn Community Foundation as a Program Officer where I partner with community members to fund nonprofit communities working to support Brooklynites and fight for their rights. I attended NYC public schools and then went to Colgate University where I received a BA in Anthropology. I also have an MPA in International Development from New York University's Wagner School of Public Service.” ⭐️ Sabrina will be a guest on the Brave Pod, our weekly podcast series, on Friday, March 4th. We can’t wait to hear about your outstanding career and perspectives, Sabrina! Thank you for joining our community.

Grabiela.

We’re delighted to feature our new Intake Coordinator and community member, Gaby 🌟✨. Tell us about yourself! “I am 22 years old, currently studying at City Tech college. My major is Human Services, which I’m very passionate about. I would like to be a Human Service professional specifically working with the youth population. I’m an intern at The Brave House and also working on my own lash extension business. I was born here in the U.S but my mother came from the Dominican Republic & my father came from Mexico.”🌟✨Gaby brings energy, fresh ideas, and warmth to her everyday work at the Brave House! She has helped us welcome new members into our community, supported caserounds, and designed new community outreach strategies - all while juggling everything that comes from leading a business and being a full-time student. We’re so happy that you’re on the team, Gaby!

Pamela.

Celebrating Brave Pod Guest #103, Pamela Dagnino on our #BeBraveSpotlight 💖 Tell us about yourself: “I am currently finishing my last semester in Anahuac University. I am also working - I have my own Yoga Studio & Wellness Center. My mom is from Detroit and I was brought up in Mexico and in Cleveland, Ohio.” 💫 Pamela held an insightful conversation with our Brave Pod host Ketia about spirituality, wellness, and following your intuition. You can rewatch the whole episode by going to our IGTV. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us, Pamela!🦋

Lilienne.

We’re thrilled to feature our new English School Coordinator Lilienne!💗Tell us a little about yourself: “I am currently an undergraduate at Columbia studying English and working as a resident adviser—though I love the city, I’m originally from rural Eastern Washington State. In the past, I have been involved in teaching sex education and lobbying in the state capital for issues surround sex ed, gender-based violence, and access to resources regardless of citizenship status. Otherwise, I love reading and writing, my pets, crafting and creating, exploring, and interacting with people and critters.” 💫This semester, Lilienne will be leading English classes with a cohort of members, from beginners to advanced. We are grateful for her time, energy, and commitment to our mission. Welcome to our community, Lilienne!

Kaye.

Spotlighting Brave Pod guest #102, Kaye Lin 💗 Tell us about yourself Kaye! “"I came to the US at age 5 with my family from Myanmar. I have always wanted to give back, so I created an English program to mainly teach American English, culture and slang. I do this as a hobby and in my spare time, yet the program became very popular in Myanmar and now gets aired to Myanmar and Thailand via Voice of America and DVB news. You can also watch my Burglish videos on YouTube and Facebook (/kayelinburglish). My day job is working as a Communications Consultant for a multilateral organization in which it fits my passion and mission in life – on eradicating poverty and creating opportunities.” 💫 Kaye’s work in journalism is nothing short of inspiring, and her Youtube Channel (with more than 100,000 subscribers!) is an internationally acclaimed success, representing the beauty of migration and immigration! We are so happy to have you as part of our community Kaye!

2021#BeBrave Spotlight

Hannah.

Celebrating our beloved Brave House community member Hannah McGowan! 🎊⭐️ Hannah, tell us about yourself! “I build spaces and opportunities for people to be their fullest, most powerful selves. I've done that work as a talent development professional, a licensed counselor in schools & nonprofits, and have recently launched my own Career & Wellness Coaching and Consultation business. I'm a MidWestern New Englander, baker, explorer, and learner who feels most at home near the sea.” 💕 Hannah has been a part of the Brave House since its earliest days and serves as an Advisory Board Member and Youth Advocate! She works as a Professional Career & Wellness Coach and Consultant. She brings tremendous energy and insight to our team and we are thrilled to spotlight her!

Salina.

Featuring Salina Guzman, one of our outstanding mentors and Advisory Board members! 💫 Tell us about yourself, Salina: “I'm a full-time Immigrant Youth Advocate at The Door's Legal Services Center. I was born and raised in Queens (and very proud of it). My family immigrated to the U.S. from Italy. I'm the second generation to be born here. I identify more as a New Yorker than as an Italian. My grandfather came through Ellis Island, settled in Brooklyn, and then none of us ever left NYC (but just upgraded to Queens! Ha!).” 💗 Salina is a part of the Brave House community in so many ways, from being a mentor, to serving on our Advisory Board, to helping us design and build out our App social service resources! She brings humor, authenticity, and enthusiasm to our community, and we are thrilled to have her on our team. Thanks for everything you do Salina!

Coco.

We are thrilled to feature the gifted performer Coco in our #BeBrave spotlight! ✨ Tell us about yourself! “I am a violinist at the Juilliard School in NYC! Currently a fourth year undergrad. My hometown is Princeton, NJ.” ✨ Coco delivered a beautiful and memorable violin performance for our Poetry Open Mic Night in November 2021 – we are so grateful she is part of our community! Thank you Coco!

Morgan.

Celebrating our amazing program manager, Morgan Perry! ✨ Tell us a bit about yourself: “I was born and raised in New York City, and I recently graduated from Hamilton College with a major in World Politics and a focus on migration. I am a lifelong Spanish and Arabic student, I am passionate about anti-imperialism, international reparations, and open borders, and in my free time I like to read the newspaper cover to cover, bike on the perimeter of Manhattan, and phonebank for political campaigns. (@ranaforcongress 2022!)” ✨ Morgan is an absolute rock-star and core member of our team. They bring enthusiasm, joy, intentionality, and passion to our work every day. Morgan is helping us build out so many key initiatives, such as our mentorship program, our mobile App, and our English school. They also help plan our events like ice-skating, wellness days, youth leadership workshops, and more!

Thank you Morgan for all that you do for this community!

Elisa.

Featuring the Brave House’s leadership coach, Elisa! ⭐️✨ Tell us about yourself! “I was working in education, most recently as a high school principal, for the last 9 years. I'm now working in Talent Development and I'm passionate about the ‘how’ of work - how information is presented, how colleagues collaborate, and how people learn, grow, and develop. My family emigrated here from Italy and Ireland, so I'm thankful for the immigration policies that existed at the time to support them starting a new life here and I'm fighting for those same policies to exist for immigrants today.” ✨⭐️ Elisa is a member of our Advisory Board and she facilitates leadership training & workshops for our Youth Leadership Board.

We are so grateful to have Elisa as a member of our team and community!

Mia.

Celebrating our fabulous Youth Leader, Mia Aub! ✨🌟 Hear Mia introduce herself: “Wassup everybody 🦄 I’m 19 years old and I’m finishing school, I’m working & on the side I’m doing an internship. My family and I are from El Salvador 🇸🇻.” ✨🌟Mia is an amazing member of our community, a frequent volunteer at our events, and a radiant light on our Youth Leadership Board! She brings passion, humor, creativity, and warmth to every room she enters.

Thank you so much for being a part of our Brave House sisterhood Mia!

Anisa.

We are celebrating a Brave Pod guest, Anisa Tavangar ⭐️✨ Tell us a little bit about yourself!: “I currently work as a writer and curator at For Freedoms, an arts organization that uses the voices of artists to participate in public discourse, and collaborate with museums, artist studios, galleries, publications, and justice organizations across art and culture to explore the role of beauty in visualizing justice. My family is from Iran and while I feel connected to the culture, I've never been. As a Baha'i (a religious community that is persecuted in Iran) I am cut off from the country that holds my family history, but my spirituality connects me to the whole world.” ✨⭐️ Anisa was nominated by Sam Giarra to speak for this podcast because of “the way she responds to artistic expression, how she writes about it, and her commitment to the integrity of storytelling.”

Thank you so much for joining our community, Anisa!

Sarah.

Introducing Brave Pod guest, Sarah Stroh! ✨⭐️ Tell us a little about yourself: “I'm a solopreneur. I blog, teach online courses, and host summits about non-monogamy. I was born in New York, but my mother is from Haiti and my father's parents were Jewish/German refugees.” ⭐️✨ Sarah is a former coder of 5 years, a New York EDM and DJ enthusiast currently living in Berlin, and presently a non-monogamy educator & activist who writes about relationships, love, and travel.

Thank you for joining our community, Sarah!

Tameka.

We are excited to spotlight Tameka Vasquez, guest of Brave Pod #101 ⭐️✨ Tell us a little about yourself: “I’m a marketing strategist, grad school professor, and futurist. My family is from Guyana (South America) but New York has been home for us ever since immigrating to the US over 20 years ago.” ✨⭐️ Tameka took time out of her travels to discuss her projects, immigration, wellness, and much more. Check out Brave Pod #101 here and learn more about her in her own words!

Thank you for becoming part of our community Tameka! And Thank you to @badassery for connecting Tameka with our founder Lauren😊. We love the community and collaboration that you spark.

Candelaria.

We are celebrating Candelaria Barrera Mejia, our incredible Growth Intern! ⭐️✨ Tell us a little about yourself!: “My name is Candelaria Barrera Mejia, and I am a junior majoring in Sociology and Education Studies at Barnard College. I grew up in Upstate New York. Both of my parents immigrated to the US from Bogotá, Colombia. My family is everything to me, and their support is my everyday motivation! I love any opportunity to be creative and spontaneous, whether it be in my work with young folk, creating art, or just dancing around.” ✨⭐️ Candelaria brings warmth, dedication, and persistence to our team every day. In addition to helping us with grant-writing, she also tutors members in English while juggling all that comes with being a full-time student! Thank you so much for your work.

Kai.

We are thrilled to spotlight Kai Velazquez, our Social Media Coordinator (as well as guest of Brave Pod #100)! ✨✨ Please introduce yourself: “My name is Kai Velazquez and I am a junior double majoring in Education Studies and English & American Literature at Middlebury College. I am a proud Posse Scholar from Queens, NY and I am passionate about youth empowerment, mental health, immigration, and accessibility in education. I enjoy photography and exploring the world around me when I can. My academic interests also include history, studio art, political science, sociology, and languages such as Arabic!” ✨✨ We appreciate Kai’s perspective, energy and ideas and the incredible value they bring to the team — even in the midst of being a full-time student! We feel grateful to know them and are thrilled to have them on our team.

Erika.

✨🌟Welcome Erika Gama, the Brave House’s Outreach Coordinator! Erika has assembled our Media Kits and Impact Reports, designed our website and grant materials, and was featured on the Brave Pod #98! 🌟✨ tell us a bit about yourself, Erika! “I graduated from college in May and I'm currently holding internship positions in the non-profit and academic realm. I was born and raised in Mexico, and now live in the Mexico City area. I'm passionate about advancing women's rights, love being in nature, and I'm always open to book recommendations!” We’re thrilled to have Erika as part of our team - she brings creativity, energy, and compassion to our work every day!

Priya.

Welcome Priya, Global Health Insights engineer and former Brave Pod guest! We are thrilled to welcome Priya, a true leader in wellness and professional development, to the Brave House community! 🦋 Tell us a bit about yourself: “I work at Johnson & Johnson in Employee Health and Well-Being. I'm responsible for leading product management and data strategy for our portfolio of products and resources. I'm from Atlanta, but grew up all over. My dad is from India and my mom is from Kentucky and growing up multiracial in different states was an interesting experience. I'm passionate about diving deeper into what it means to keep our populations healthy and well, along with the intersection of business and health.“ We are so excited to have Priya in our community, and we are so inspired by your work!

Sherry.

We are highlighting Sherry Hakimi, founder of @genEqualityOrg and guest of Brave Pod #95! Tell us a little about yourself: “I was raised back-and-forth between New England and Tehran. I was raised primarily by a single mother. I worked hard to put myself through both college (UMass Amherst) and graduate school (Harvard Kennedy School), and have worked on 5 continents with a range of companies, organizations, and institutions, including Reebok, Harvard Business School, the City of New York, and the UN. Today, I run genEquality, a nonprofit organization that's using behavioral science and design to address gender inequality and inclusion.“ 🌟 Sherry’s conversation with Ketia on the Brave Pod was inspiring, and we are delighted to welcome her to our Brave House community!

Cori Ana.

✨🌟 Welcome Cori, our new Youth Advocate and Avodah Corps Member here at The Brave House! Tell us a little about yourself: “I am 24 years old, I am currently doing a year of intentional service in NYC after moving from California where I grew up. My parents are from Long Island and Los Angeles and their grandparents fled religious persecution in Europe at the end of the 19th century.” 🌟✨ Cori will be providing one-on-one support, workshops, and referrals to our members over the next year. We appreciate her curiosity, presence, and beautiful spirit.

Titciana.

✨🌟 Welcome Titciana, educator, business-owner, and former Brave Pod guest! Tell us a little about yourself: “I was born and raised in Boston and am Cabo-Verdean American. I have been in education for 11 years. I founded a business called Black Educator Things to celebrate, mentor, and elevate Black educators.” 🌟✨ We loved speaking with Titciana on our weekly Brave Pod, hosted every Friday at 12:00 PM on Instagram Live. Check out the full episode (#83) to learn more about Titciana’s incredible organization and work!

Khia.

✨🌟 Welcome Khia, singer, activist, youth justice advocate, and former Brave Pod guest! Tell us a little about yourself: “I was born and raised in Queens, NY to Jamaican immigrant parents who instilled in me the values of community, hard work, and perseverance. I am currently pursuing my Masters degree in Urban Policy and Leadership at Hunter College.” ✨🌟 We loved speaking with Khia on our weekly Brave Pod, hosted every Friday at 12:00 PM on Instagram Live. Check out the full episode (#74) to learn more about Khia’s incredible community organizing work!

Tenzin.

✨🌟 Meet Tenzin Choeyang, current App Navigator here at The Brave House! Tell us a little about yourself: “I was born and raised in India. I am of Tibetan descent. I speak Tibetan, Hindi, and English. I went to St. Lawrence University to study Economics and I currently work in finance. My passions include educating people on financial literacy and creating space for Tibetan Americans to speak about their experiences through the Positionality podcast.” 🌟✨ Tenzin will be working with the App team to strengthen the beautiful virtual community we share! She will be adding helpful resources and fun, free New York City events for members to find in the App, so members please be sure to check frequently for updates. We are so grateful for the way Tenzin has jumped right into her role and for her beautiful, positive spirit.

Kim R.

✨🌟 Meet Kim Rivas, summer intern here at The Brave House! Tell us a little about yourself: “I am a student at Connecticut College majoring in Economics and Hispanic Studies. Both of my parents are from El Salvador, and I was also born there.” 🌟✨ Kim joined our team this summer to help drive our mission forward in many ways- from leading intakes and welcoming new members into our community, to helping our growth team write and apply for grants, to teaching in our English School, to facilitating team huddles and teaching us about mindfulness. We are so grateful for her beautiful spirit, positive mindset, and commitment to advancing immigrants’ rights.