Race4Justice

Who Are the Future Ancestors?

The Future Ancestors are a group of local students passionate about making a difference in their community. Founded in 2021 by 8 students at Waggener High School, the Future Ancestors have now grown to include students from multiple JCPS schools and local colleges. The Future Ancestors is committed to leadership by girls and young women of color. Read more about this year's Future Ancestors below. 

Carmen Espinoza Sissoko, Co-Executive Director

Hello my name is Carmen! I am a senior at Western High School. I am an honors student and take college courses as well. I play volleyball and track although I favor track more. I love to read and my favorite series is the Twilight Saga. I joined the future ancestors because I believe my voice matters and want it to have an impact on my community. Being a part of the group has taught me my feelings and opinions matter, I used to feel so small but multiple droplets can water a plant!

Destiny Peabody, Co-Executive Director

(Bio coming soon)

Zoe Ahmed

(Bio coming soon)

Apshana Biswa

Hello, my name is Apshana Biswa. I am an 18-year-old Bhutanese-Nepali senior at Waggener High School. I love to watch K-dramas, my favorite show is “Queen of Tears,” and I also love to listen to music. My favorite song is “Wildflower” by Billie Eilish, who is also my favorite singer. I joined Future ancestors to help my community and make a positive impact. By working together, I believe we can address local challenges and support those in need, creating a more inclusive and supportive environment.

Armelle Bondonga, Executive Board

My name is Armelle Bondonga, I am a student at JCTC! One thing that makes me unique is that I speak 3 languages! Being that I am a immigrant myself I am super passionate about all immigration issues and finding ways to make that system more fair. 

I also want to educate people about the dangers of the negative associations they tend make while taking about immigrants. I think this project is so important because it not only uplifts the voices of youth in the community but gives a room to create change and talk to important people. 

Trinity Clarke

Hello my name is Trinity Clarke i'm a senior at Waggener High School. My favorite movie is The Trap. I love nature, mainly oceans and the sea. I also love writing,  music, shopping, and peace. I joined this group because I want to see change everywhere around me starting where I can and making a difference everywhere I go.

Shane Espinoza-Sissoko

Hello my name is Shane! I am a sophomore at Jeffersontown High School. I do wrestling, football, and track. My favorite show is Rick and Morty and my favorite subject is world history. I joined the group because my sister Carmen introduced me to it and I felt a need to be a part of it for the experience and opportunity to raise awareness for my community :)

Taylar Palmer 

Hello my name is Taylar Palmer!! I am a junior and I go to Ballard High school and I am on the track team, and I am the president of the BSU club at my school. My favorite TV show is Sweet home. The reason I joined this group was because I was introduced to them during mind fest and loved that the group was raising money for amazing causes. It also helps me become more involved with the community and get out of my comfort zone.  

John Richards 

Hey my name is John Richards I am a junior at Ballard High School who is a wide receiver and AP student. I love One Piece and being outdoors along with the beach. I am also a Jamaican-Belizean who loves traveling with family. I wanted to join this organization so that I could be something bigger than myself along with being the change you want to see in your community. I hope that I can help spread awareness with my community and myself through this.     

Founders

Nubia Ali, Founder

My name is Nubia Ali. I am a freshman, Public Health major at the University of Louisville. I am the Executive Director of the Future Ancestors - the woman and student led group who created The Race For Justice. I enjoy exercising, yoga, and meditation. My favorite colors are pink and brown, and my favorite genre of music is Hip-Hop.

My junior year of high school was in the middle of a pandemic along with the movement surrounding Breonna Taylor's death. I felt called to make a change. I knew that I could work with some of my peers to create and bring more awareness to injustices inherent in our community.

I am interested in the world of healthcare, and the concept of holistic care. I am passionate about discrimination against black people, specifically women in medical settings. In society, I also aim to be an ally of the LGBTQIA+ community, and I do this by respecting others pronouns, and using mine when meeting new people. I also aim to advocate specifically for underprivileged Black people because I am in a position where I can create change. I aim to be the voice of people who have been silenced, historically.

Montrell Bragg, Executive Board

My name is Montrell Bragg, and I attend the University of Louisville where I study criminal justice with a pan-African studies minor. My unique characteristics is my distinct personality and my life's passions.

Being black plays a significant role in my personal identity, thus I have a strong sense of commitment to the justice concerns that black people encounter. Speaking up against issues like black maternal mortality, discrimination against students who are black, defunding the police, and more is something I'm really passionate about. This project is important because, at its core, it celebrates the life of Breonna Taylor, a black woman, as well as working to mend the divisions in a community.

Jamia Fletcher, Founder

My name is Jamia Fletcher, I am 18 years old, and I am a Public Health major at the University of Louisville. I am one of the founders of the Race for Justice and I served as Associative Director of the Future Ancestors during this last year. I am now a part of the Race for Justice's student board of directors. I love this project and am so excited to see what you all are running for!

I am the most passionate about justice issues pertaining to women of color, black women specifically, and all of the intersectionalities inherent in social injustice. It is so important for us to use our voice and platform to advocate and educate, and that is exactly what the Race for Justice is for.

Anye Gigger, Founder

I am Anye Gigger. I am a junior at Waggener High, but this will be my last year due to hard work. I am one of the co-founders of the Future Ancestors. I am passionate about Women's Rights, LGBTQ+ Rights, and Black Lives Matter.

I joined this group for justice so many people in this world has been done wrong. I am here to bring awareness to that and shine a light on it for the people who do not or do not choose to see it. The race is a project that we have worked so hard towards, and I am running for justice for everyone. I plan to go to college and study chemistry to become a forensic scientist.

Kreszenz Lyle, Founder

My name is Kreszenz Lyle, I attend Waggener High School. I have lived in a total of 3 states throughout my life, and I am a proud bisexual woman.

In my freshman year, I was apart of the FFA. I have also been participating in debate since my sophmore year. I joined the Future Ancestors my junior year as the Head of the Documentary, because throughout quarantine, I have become more aware of the events that occur in our society. Witnessing some historical affairs, I have realized that I want to make a difference, and help change today to make a better tomorrow.

I am interested in becoming a psychologist in the future, and and have always loved how complex the mind is and how it works. One of my favorite things to do in my free time is to play my ukulele and sing covers and my favorite songs. I am also very passionate about certain topics that are being discussed in the world today. I fight for LGBTQIA+ rights, I am supporter of BLM, I am a huge believer in Women's Rights, and I am strongly against ignorance.

Aalayla Malone, Founder 

My name is Aalayla Malone. I attend Waggener High School. I started my Loc Journey November 30th, 2020. I am a lesbian and strive everyday to be my best.

I love to learn about World/Ancient History especially Black History. I joined Justice Now because I love to talk about racial issues that don’t get discussed during school time when it definitely should. Talking about racial issues can improve us humans to be better, and learn more about each other.

I love to dance and listen to all kinds of music. It doesn’t matter what it is, I love to bop! I like to play basketball, but choose to not join a team yet, due to my anxiety. However, I'm hoping to join one in the future. I love being around people daily; I love that they keep a smile on my face, especially on a bad day.

Lauren Nelson, Founder

Hello, my name is Lauren Nelson and I'm 16 years old. I'm a junior at Waggener High School, and I'm in the Health Science program. In December of 2020, I joined Justice Now and from there we came up with the Future Ancestors. Before that when Breonna Taylor died I shared a lot of post about her and what we knew as a city. I made protest posters and was going to go out and protest but I decided that wasn't the best because of my health. So when I got the chance to start a movement with my peers to do everything I can to make a change that's what I did.

My passion is to get rid of systemic racism and actually make sure everyone in this country is treated equal as it says in the Pledge of Allegiance. I'm very excited about putting this race on because we can bring the community together for a good cause and make an impact on our city. When you are a co-founder of a group like this it can get hard at times because there is plenty of ups and downs. Sometimes I catch myself getting discouraged if I feel like I'm not doing enough or if I expected something but it didn't happen. I have to remind myself to only think positive and do everything I can to be successful with what we are doing.

Past Members

Munira Abdi

Hello, My name is Munira Abdi. I'm a sophomore at Waggener High School. I come from a large and loving family of eleven, which has instilled in me the values of community, compassion, and empathy. I'm particularly passionate about social justice and giving back to the community. I believe that everyone has the power to make a positive difference in the world, no matter how small their actions my seem. That's why I decided to join Race4Justice.

This organization's mission to fight against injustice aligns with my own personal beliefs and values. I'm particularly passionate about issues of racism, recognizing the significant impact it has on all our lives especially those affected by it. Additionally I'm deeply concerned about food insecurity, recognizing that this issue disproportionately affects marginalized communities. With the desire to make the world a better place I'm committed to being a part of the solution. Whether that be through volunteering, raising awareness, or advocating for change. 

Jeray Cox

Heyy I am Jeray. I am in 7th grade. I go to Newburg Middle. Fav color is pink, yellow and white. I play basketball, track, cross country. Fav food is mac and cheese. Fav drink soda. I am new to the group.

I want to go Manual High School and make my way to college. I'm trying to get a scholarship from my grades or my sports. I like shopping, hanging out with my sister, and going to football and basketball games.

Veniya Jackson

(bio and photo coming soon)

Tony Ma

(bio and photo coming soon)

Der'Sean May

Hi, my name is Der’Sean May. I am a junior in the Pre-Medical Magnet at Central High School Magnet Career Academy. I am the youngest of six siblings and I have a twin brother. I have obtained 12 college credits as a high school student while maintaining a 3.85 Grade Point Average. I aspire to be an Emergency Medicine Nurse. I am also interested in attending and HBCU for my post-secondary education. This is my first year on the team and I hope to make a return for this event next year!

I am passionate about putting teen gun violence to an end. I think our project is important because Breonna Taylor’s story was silenced. We need our city to see the great and very helpful person that Breonna was. Her murder should have never happened and Breonna should be represented in the best light possible.

Halima Osman

Hi my name is Halima Osman, I'm 15 years old and I'm a sophomore at Waggener High School. I joined this group because there's so much injustice around me, especially here in Louisville, Kentucky.

And as a black girl I want to see change and be a part of that change even if I play a little role. Two justice issue that I am passionate about are food insecurity and immigration. 

Sarai Sanchez

(bio and photo coming soon)

Aniya Watson

(bio and photo coming soon)

Audrey Wright

My name is Audrey Wright, I am a senior and my pronouns are she/her. I am going to the University of Louisville. I plan majoring in psychiatric nursing. My favorite thing to do is listen to music in the car with my friends.

I joined the future ancestors after my friends started talking about the group, and I loved everything about what they were doing. It got to the point where we talked about it so much I figured I try and join the group. So when we actually started going back to the school building, I joined the group officially and met everyone.