At CitizensNYC, we believe lasting change starts with the people who know their communities best. For more than 50 years, we’ve invested in grassroots leaders, equipping them with the funding, tools, and trust to bring their ideas to life.
Now in its second year, the Elliott Fellowship builds on that legacy. Funded by a bequest from the Elliott family and named for co-founder Osborn Elliott, this initiative recognizes CitizensNYC grantee partners who have successfully taken an idea and grown it into lasting community impact. Through mentorship, they share their experience, strengthen community leadership, and guide the next generation of grassroots changemakers.
This fall, we are proud to announce that Jibreel Jalloh and Jeorgina Williams, two visionaries turning community needs into action and lasting impact, as our newest Elliott Fellows.
Jeorgina Williams — NerdDNA
Through NerdDNA, Jeorgina Williams is creating opportunities for healthier, more sustainable communities by making science, creativity, and environmental education accessible and engaging. Through hands-on STEM experiences, hydroponics, creative workshops, and community partnerships, NerdDNA empowers youth and adults to explore new skills, discover their potential, and make more informed, sustainable choices. Her work brings people together through curiosity, creativity, and shared experiences that inspire healthier living and stronger communities.
Jibreel Jalloh — The Flossy Organization
Through The Flossy Organization, Jibreel Jalloh is building a stronger culture of civic engagement and advocacy in Southeast Brooklyn. The organization equips residents across generations with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to address systemic inequities, organize around neighborhood priorities, and drive meaningful policy change. Since receiving its first CitizensNYC grant, The Flossy Organization has trained more than 1,000 residents in advocacy, civic engagement, and community organizing—helping cultivate grassroots leaders and build lasting community power.
We’re deeply grateful to the Elliott family for their vision and generosity, and proud to welcome Jibreel Jalloh and Jeorgina Williams back as educators, mentors, and partners in this work. We’re equally excited to continue our relationships with members of the inaugural cohort; Laci Chisholm (Fit4Dance), Allyson Martinez (Brooklyn Level Up) and Meghan McNamara (The Octavia Project), building on the connections and momentum of year one as the Fellowship’s community of grassroots leaders continues to grow.
By connecting past and present grantees, the Fellowship creates a lasting cycle of learning, growth, and giving back; reflecting CitizensNYC’s belief that when New Yorkers invest in one another, the whole city moves forward. Over the next year, Elliott Fellows will mentor emerging grantees and advise CitizensNYC, drawing on their expertise in environmental justice, food and health, STEM, and youth development to strengthen a citywide network of civic leaders rooted in lived experience.
Together, we’re investing in the next generation of grassroots leadership while honoring the experience and wisdom of those who paved the way.
