2025 Radical Health Fellows
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aAliy Muhammad
aAliy A. Muhammad is a poz writer born/raised in Philadelphia. In their work they often problematize medical surveillance, discuss the importance of bodily autonomy and center Blackness. aAliy is the creator of Black Reverence Chair, a joy and affirmation ritual. With Dr. Lyra D. Monteiro, aAliy is a co-convener of Finding Ceremony, a descendant community-controlled process, restoring the lineages of care, reverence, and spiritual memory to the work of caring for our dead.
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Angel Avila
Angel Avila is an experienced professional who is excited to learn about the different ways he can contribute to health equity initiatives in his community. As a recent graduate from Binghamton University, he has a lot of experience volunteering and building community no matter where he is. Outside of work, he loves to play baseball and basketball, watch anime, and spend time at the library.
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Angel Brown
My Name Is Angel Brown. I am A Woman Of Many Facets weaving together the threads of art, spirituality, and community to foster holistic well-being. With a passion for empowering individuals and collectives, I bring a distinctive blend of life enthusiasm, fine artistry, and sapio-spirituality to the realm of health and wellness. My purpose-driven approach ignites transformative connections, nurturing a deeper sense of self and communal resilience. I invite individuals to embark on a journey of total health, embracing the interconnectedness of body, mind, and spirit.
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Antoinette Charleroi
Antoinette Charleroi is an advocate for primarily undocumented, houseless, queer, and sex-trading individuals. They have a master's degree from NYU in transportation engineering, during undergrad they had design, fashion, and architecture background and got minors in translation, history, computer science, and entrepreneurship. They are a neurodivergent queer asylum seeker who have been houseless, and now work as a publisher of a resource guide leveraging their lived expertise to translate providers' language into language of people in crisis.
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Deborah Denis
Deborah Latseumso Denis is a humanitarian, researcher, and policy analyst dedicated to health equity, policy advocacy, and international development, with a focus on improving healthcare outcomes for women of African descent. Over eight years, she has championed marginalized voices through her work with international NGOs and higher education. As a humanitarian aid worker at the International Rescue Committee, she supported displaced women and girls affected by the Boko Haram insurgency in Northeast Nigeria. A graduate of NYU Wagner, where she won the Howard Newman Award, Deborah is currently Strategic Partnerships Research Manager at the National African Student Association.
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Diana Eusebio Zamora
Diana Eusebio Zamora is passionate about providing restorative justice spaces in the Bronx. She previously worked at an immigrant rights organization working with immigrant youth, families, and schools. Diana works at Bronx Community Solutions a program of the Center for Justice Innovation. She has experience facilitating workshops, planning conferences, and coordinating program logistics. She is a proud tia, sister, wife and life long learner.
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Geneva Velazquez
At 44 years old, I’m a proud parent of five wonderful kids, ranging in age from 10 to 27. Born and raised in the Bronx, I currently live on Cypress Avenue, where I enjoy the vibrant culture and community of my neighborhood. Professionally, I serve as a site coordinator for a preschool and after-school program at A House On Beekman where I am dedicated to fostering a nurturing and enriching environment for children. Balancing work and family life keeps me busy, but I wouldn’t have it any other way!
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Ian Bailey
Dr. Ian Bailey is a Caribbean-American medical doctor and entrepreneur. He is most recently the founder of BK Health Lab, a company dedicated to finding mobile solutions to health access issues for underserved populations locally and globally. Dr. Bailey is a graduate of the University of Chicago and the State University of New York-Upstate campus where he honed his medicine and research skills. He eagerly looks forward to participating in the Radical Health Fellowship to engage with people of diverse perspectives on how to best advocate for and design optimal health systems for all segments of the populace.
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Jonathan Diaz
Jonathan Diaz is Vice President at Sana Capital, a venture capital firm advancing health equity by investing in innovative solutions for underserved populations. With nearly a decade of experience in business operations and analytics, Jonathan builds core firm operations to support Sana’s mission. His career spans federal government, consulting, and tech roles, where he has led initiatives ranging from education to AI solutions. As a first-generation college graduate, Jonathan is passionate about mentoring emerging leaders. Outside of work, he enjoys cooking, walking around NYC, and curating music playlists.
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Lamarr Hazel
Lamarr Hazel is very passionate about giving back to the community by working with youth, families, schools, and the court system. He believes in meeting people where they are, facilitating workshops, and providing guidance to help individuals avoid unnecessary struggles. Having learned from his own experiences, he is committed to helping others jump-start their lives and get on the right track. His mission is to empower people with the knowledge and support they need to build a brighter future.
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Marcie E Auguiste
Marcie Auguiste is a dedicated healthcare professional and community advocate with a strong background in public health and healthcare administration. Currently pursuing a Doctorate in Healthcare Administration at Capella University, she holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) with a concentration in Biostatistics and Epidemiology from Monroe College. Marcie’s dedication to creating systemic change aligns with her selection as a 2025 Radical Health Fellow, where she aims to further her mission of promoting health equity. In her spare time, Marcie enjoys engaging in community initiatives and mentoring aspiring healthcare professionals, and being a youth leader at her church New Testament Temple Church of God in the Bronx.
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Mazier Tejada
Mazier Tejada, LMSW, is a compassionate therapist, social worker, and founder of Sound of Cielo. She is dedicated to advancing health equity and empowering marginalized communities. Growing up and living in the Bronx has deeply rooted her commitment to creating positive change. Through the intersection of faith, culture, art, and wellness, she inspires others through powerful storytelling, advocacy, and community-building. Mazier is excited to learn more about expanding health equity in communities and connect with other individuals who share her passion for social justice and community empowerment.
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Naissa Piverger
Naissa Piverger, MPH, graduated from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where she focused on Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. With over five years of experience in public health, she specializes in infectious disease epidemiology, maternal and child health, and health equity. Naissa has led community-based research, curriculum development, and program evaluation, and is passionate about engaging at-risk populations. A frequent speaker on public health topics, she enjoys hiking, reading, and staying active in her free time.
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Nirvana Garcia
Nirvana Garcia is a human rights activist advocating for equality and social justice. From an early age, she fought for the rights of marginalized communities in a country marked by systemic racism and segregation, particularly against her own Indigenous community. At 18, she embraced her identity as a trans woman, overcoming personal and social challenges that led her to migrate to the United States in search of freedom and safety. Now studying Psychology, Nirvana volunteers with various organizations. As a speaker in New York City, she shares her story of resilience, promoting dialogue on diversity, inclusion, and human rights.
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Nyles Robinson
Nyles Robinson is a community Leader and organizer in Harlem, New York City with a mission to prepare underserved and under resourced youth with equitable Digital and Mental health practices. Originally from Washington DC and growing up in North Carolina, Nyles has worn many hats, including being a Research Coordinator for Columbia Mailman School of Public health, being a manager on the Pfizer x Marvel “Everyday Heroes’ comic book collaboration, and being Acting President of West Harlem Progressive Democrats. Nyles has worked with Havas Health, Omnicom Health Group, and now is a Digital Project Manager at Publicis Groupe.
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Raihan Habib Mirza
Raihan Habib Mirza is passionate about improving community health and tackling health disparities. As the coordinator of the South Bronx Community Health Leaders, he works to address social determinants of health and make a meaningful impact. Raihan earned his Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Hunter College and plans to pursue medical school to become a primary care physician dedicated to underserved communities in the Bronx. When he’s not working, he enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, reading, and diving into his favorite anime series.
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Sam Luxmikanthan
Sam Luxmikanthan is a mental health advocate passionate about empowering communities and collaborating with them to develop solutions. With experience in advancing health equity, Sam’s dedication to promoting accessible healthcare stems from their own unique experiences. When not reading the latest journal articles, they enjoy spending time with friends, trying new foods, and engaging with local youth community programs.
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Samantha Sanchez
Samantha Sanchez is an educator and has been serving children in the Bronx community for the past 11 years. She is passionate about giving back to the community by being an inclusive and dedicated educator for all students. She is eager to learn practical medical solutions that can help support the families she serves in her field and community. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her 4-year-old son.
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Shamara Kelly
Shamara Kelly is a community organizer and DV advocate, she is intentional about creating solutions for survivors and holding systems in place accountable that has cause harm. She is interested in supporting barriers for healthcare when it comes to DV and making the connection within the healthcare industry, Shamara is a single mama of two teenagers who are her world.
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Stephany Polanco
Stephany Polanco, a child of Dominican immigrants and lifelong New Yorker, has found strength in community across the city. After settling in The Bronx, she witnessed systemic neglect and committed herself to change. With over a decade of community service through her church, nonprofit work, and as a DONA-trained doula, Stephany advocates for equitable healthcare and resources in the South Bronx. She partners with Radical Health to amplify community voices and create lasting impact.
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Vanessa Gonzalez
Vanessa Gonzalez is a biology and community change graduate from The City College of New York (CUNY) and a current master’s student in Translational Medicine, driven by a passion for healthcare innovation and equity. Her passion involves advancing health technology and community partnerships, such as enhancing the Safe Space App to support harm reduction and overdose prevention. She has worked in a non-profit organization and has experience in strategic planning and advocacy where she has impacted over 3,000 individuals annually. Through the Radical Health Fellowship, she aims to deepen her expertise, foster community trust, and address barriers in healthcare navigation, mental health, and harm reduction to create lasting change in underserved communities.
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Youssef Elmorsi
Youssef Elmorsi is an adaptable and detail-oriented cybersecurity professional with hands-on experience in network security, threat detection, and incident response. Proficient in tools such as Nmap, Splunk, and Wireshark, with a solid foundation in security protocols and frameworks. Skilled at analyzing security incidents and implementing proactive solutions to safeguard digital environments. Eager to contribute to a dynamic cybersecurity team, leveraging my skills and continuing to grow in advanced security technologies.