Meet the Fellows: U.S. South

We’re honored to introduce the Fellowship for Liberated Futures’ inaugural cohort. We are joined by 17 visionary Black leaders who are at the forefront of reimagining inequitable systems and creating sustainable, liberated futures for marginalized communities across the country and the world. 

Meet the Fellows in the U.S. South:

Adrielle Kwapong, Georgia

LinkedIn

My name is Adrielle Kwapong. I am a 20-something, first-generation Ghanaian-American. I am an eldest daughter. I am a creative. And I'm passionate about the advancement of my people and seeing them do well in all capacities. Whether that's financially, mentally, physically, etc. I want the advancement of my people in all sectors.

Diamond Stylz, TX

Marsha's Plate Podcast, Black Trans Women Inc., Transgender Law Center

Website | LinkedIn

Diamond Stylz is one of the leading Black voices in the transgender community. She cut her teeth in activism in a 1999 First Amendment rights case when she was in high school. She was the first openly transgender woman to attend Jackson State University. She is the executive director of Black Trans Women Inc, an advocacy group focused on building strong and effective Black trans leadership and socioeconomic power. Diamond is also a content creator, hosting the Houston based Marsha’s Plate podcast. She has appeared on CNN, ABC, BET and The Root, among others, and has written for a myriad of websites, magazines, and blogs.

She is also a board member of Transgender Law Center, Transgender District of San Francisco, and A Call To Men.

Jilisa Renee Milton, AL

GASP

Website | LinkedIn

Jilisa Milton is an Birmingham-based attorney and social worker with nearly a decade of experience working on social justice issues at the intersection of racial equity and mental health. Currently, she is Co-director at GASP (Greater Birmingham Alliance to Stop Pollution), a nonprofit with the mission to enhance the health and wellbeing of Alabamians by reducing air pollution, advancing environmental justice, and promoting climate solutions through education, advocacy, and collaboration.

Jilisa was born in New York City during the so-called Wars on Drugs and Poverty – racist policies that targeted and harmed many families of color. After being removed from her mother’s custody at a young age, Ms. Milton was adopted by her grandparents and moved to their hometown of Birmingham, Alabama where she grew up. Her family and community experience is important to her as she continues the legacy of her grandparents, who instilled in her a passion for racial justice.

Meet some of our other Fellows!