Announcing the 2025 HeArt of Black Leadership for Philly Leaders – Rockwood Leadership Institute
Rockwood is proud to announce the 2025 HeArt of Black Leadership for Philly Leaders (HBL-PHL) cohort! HeArt of Black Leadership is an offering designed by Black leaders for Black leaders to provide space for joy, liberation, and strategic conversations. In partnership with the Samuel S. Fels Fund, HBL-PHL will bring together leaders from across the Philly social justice landscape to affirm their power, ancestral & community wisdom, and powerful partnerships.
Please join us in welcoming and congratulating the 2025 HeArt of Black Leadership for Philly Leaders cohort:
Adriana George Joseph | Organizer, National Domestic Workers’ Alliance
Born and raised in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and trained as a Licensed electrician, Adriana migrated to the US and began working as a nanny. She joined the membership of the National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA) after witnessing the exploitation and mistreatment of workers in this sector. As a member of NDWA, she developed a passion for advocating for systemic change in the domestic worker industry and organized fellow nannies to join the organization. Now, Adriana is a full-time PA Chapter Organizer with NDWA, where she leads the We Dream in Black program and base builds among Black, Afro-Latina, African-American, and Caribbean domestic workers. With 16 years of experience in the domestic workforce, she brings valuable insight and commitment to her role. She believes that domestic workers are valuable contributors to the labor movement and strives to elevate their leadership constantly.
Bianca Van Heydoorn | Executive Director, Youth Sentencing & Reentry Project
Bianca van Heydoorn is the Executive Director at the Youth Sentencing & Reentry Project (YSRP), a Philadelphia-based nonprofit working to keep children out of adult jails and bring home people sentenced to life without parole as children. For over two decades, Bianca has worked in government, higher education and direct service to support communities impacted by interpersonal and state violence. Earlier in her career, she worked directly with adolescents, developed programs to intervene in commercial sexual exploitation, prepared teens for employment, helped incarcerated students and returned citizens engage in post-secondary education, and influenced policy related to conditions of confinement. Bianca’s writing has been published in Duke Law School’s Judicature and the Journal on Ethnicity in Criminal Justice. She has an undergraduate degree in Correctional Sociology from the City University of New York and a graduate degree in Criminal Justice from John Jay College.
Brittany Smalls | Lead Organizer, Black Voters Matter Fund
Brittany Smalls is a powerful organizer, strategist, and advocate from Philadelphia who has spent over a decade building collective power in Black and Brown communities. Her work focuses on disrupting systemic injustice through grassroots organizing, political education, and civic engagement. With deep experience in both local and national movements, Brittany has led transformative campaigns that mobilize underrepresented voters, develop community leadership, and demand accountability from those in power. She has served in key roles with organizations like Black Voters Matter, where she helped expand voter outreach efforts and strengthen community-led advocacy across Pennsylvania. Known for her sharp strategy, deep-rooted values, and unwavering commitment to liberation, Brittany creates spaces where people feel seen, heard, and empowered to lead. Her work is grounded in the belief that the people closest to the pain must be closest to the power and solutions.
connease warren is a writer and veteran communications strategist. Since 2019, her work has been rooted in centering abolitionist praxis. She is a cofounder of upEND Movement, an organization dedicated to family policing abolition, and Communications Director at the Abolitionist Law Center, an organization that defends human rights and challenges incarceration and other state and structural violence. connease is deeply committed to narrative change and uplifting the voices of those most impacted by the carceral state. Through strategic communications, she disrupts the violence of carceral language and logic by insisting on Humanity. connease also co-leads Toward Liberation, a learning space dedicated to political education and exploring texts that inspire, build, and sustain abolitionist movements. She is writing a book that explores how accurately naming state violence is essential for our collective liberation, as it is key to healing wounds and harnessing the love necessary to propel us into an abolitionist future.
David is the Director of Programs at the Youth Sentencing & Reentry Project (YSRP) in Philadelphia– a nonprofit organization that works to keep children out of adult prisons. He is responsible for co-leading YSRP’s case advocacy team, supervising its various programs, and imagining and implementing new initiatives for the organization. David came to YSRP with a background in education. Having taught middle school social studies in Philadelphia, and college-level arts courses to individuals who are incarcerated. He is well acquainted with the ways in which young people – especially those who are Black – are targeted by the carceral state. His experience in education informs the strategies he uses to ensure that YSRP’s programs are impactful and generative. David obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Black Studies from Swarthmore College. He identifies as a student of abolition; as such, he is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to contribute to YSRP’s work and mission.
Jada Thompson | Integ
Jada is from Reading, PA and works as the Integrated Voter Engagement of Pennsylvania at New Voices for Reproductive Justice, overseeing advocacy and civic engagement strategies in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh that center Black women, girls, and gender-expansive people. She holds a B.S. in Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice from Lincoln University of PA and a Master of Public Administration from The George Washington University, with a focus on nonprofit management. Passionate about leadership development, equity, and community empowerment, Jada is dedicated to building inclusive systems of power and advancing reproductive justice.
Jennifer Turnbull is a Black, Queer artist whose practice is rooted in the belief that environmental and racial justice are inextricably linked. Blackness, indigeneity, and wealth equity are integral to the protection of Mother Earth. Turnbull is a cultural organizer who uses participatory art-making and presentation to center the expression of marginalized communities toward liberation. Using site-specific dance performance, participatory pedestrian ensemble, and experimental film, Jennifer is always asking a central question: “How can art bring the people to water and bring the water to people?” within the context of natural bodies of water. Turnbull is a Co-Executive Director of Spiral Q, an arts and justice nonprofit in Philadelphia. Jennifer co-leads the production of parades, live interactive performances, and is responsible for development and finance.
John is the Legal Director at Youth Sentencing & Reentry Project, where he is responsible for integrating, planning, and supervising the day-to-day operations and long-term direction of our legal work. John brings years of experience advocating for individuals in the criminal justice system and is passionate about supporting the client partners he works with and his coworkers. Before joining YSRP, John worked with the Defender Association of Philadelphia, focusing on direct representation of people facing criminal prosecution in Philadelphia. His background includes trial advocacy, mitigation, supervision, teaching, and attorney wellness. His work is rooted in a commitment to trauma-informed care and healing-centered practices. John holds a Juris Doctorate from the Drexel School of Law and a Master of Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania. Outside of work, he enjoys connecting with people through photography and boxing, and believes deeply in the beloved community.
Sentenced to life in prison at 17, John served 31 years before being resentenced and paroled following the U.S. Supreme Court’s Miller v. Alabama and Montgomery v. Louisiana rulings. Since his 2017 release, he has dedicated his career to helping others who were sentenced to life as a youth successfully transition home. As Senior Reentry Coordinator at YSRP, John develops leadership among client-partners and builds strong partnerships with community organizations. He also serves on the boards of the Philadelphia Bail Fund and PAR Cycle Works, and is also a staff member with the Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program at Temple University. A certified paralegal and Inside-Out instructor, John earned both his Associate’s and Bachelor of Arts degrees from Villanova University, with minors in Criminal Justice and Sociology. As an Ambassador for Represent Justice, he recently produced the documentary Disrupted: Injustice, Trauma, and Healing.
John Thompson Jr. was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with his mother, father, and four siblings. John was educated in the Philadelphia Public Schools… he later achieved his paralegal certification from Blackstone School of Law. He is a social advocate, political and community organizer with the Abolitionist Law Center. He works and advocates to eliminate Death By Incarceration, Ending Solitary Confinement, and the release of Geriatric/elderly prisoners. He is the founder and Executive Director of Community Action Networkz365, a grassroots community organization advocating for progressive social and political change. He is the co-founder of Urban Inspiration, a community organization dedicated to helping his community socially, politically, and economically. He currently sits on the executive board for Philadelphia Neighborhood Networks and a host of other Boards and Organizations. John has dedicated his life to uplifting his community and advocating for progressive changes within it.
Jordan Ford | Civic Engagement Manager, Pennsylvania Immigration Coalition
Jordan Ford is a faith-based community organizer fighting for social justice and liberation. He is a proud father of two wonderful girls. He and his girls are members of Love Zion Baptist Church in North Philadelphia, where he serves as the Social Justice Minister. Jordan has worked as the Economic Dignity Organizer for POWER, organizing around affordable housing, raising the minimum wage, and preemption repeal. He joined the Pennsylvania Immigration Coalition (PIC) in 2024, where he works as the Civic Engagement Manager. He is also the Executive Director of Black Faith Rising, a faith-based social justice organization centered on the Black Church. Jordan grew up in the Poconos and attended Howard University, where he studied political science. He has over a decade of organizing experience, having begun his community organizing career at ACTION United. One of the highlights of his career, Jordan worked on the Krasner for District Attorney campaign as the Finance Director in 2017. His passions are racial and economic justice, missions, and evangelism.
Kyra Knox | Director, Producer, Storyteller, Kyra Knox Productions
Kyra Knox is an award-winning Director and Producer who understands the power of storytelling. Her work has been featured in Deadline, The Hollywood Reporter, NPR Morning Edition, Axios, Filmmaker Magazine, and more for her directorial debut, Bad Things Happen In Philadelphia, about the gun violence in Philadelphia, executive produced by NBA legend Allen Iverson. Her filmmaking approach fosters a deep connection with the audience and the talent in every project she directs. This stems from her belief in respecting and caring for each person’s story. Kyra has been a 2023 Sundance Intensive Producer Fellow, a 2024 Sundance Advisor for Documentary Filmmaking, and, most recently, a Story Producer for the docu-series Spirit, executive produced by Steph Curry. Her dedication has been recognized with numerous awards, including Producer of the Year at the Shorty Impact Awards. Kyra is known for her infectious enthusiasm and dedication to creating a safe and collaborative environment on set.
To address both environmental and social justice issues, .O has made health and well-being their life’s purpose. S/He has worked for over 25 years as a practitioner and educator in the areas of body work, self-care, social services, and health care support. S/He is a seasoned facilitator and leads workshops for individuals and groups to support their goals of healing our society’s legacies of racism, sexism, homophobia, and class privilege to build healthier and stronger relationships and organizations. Drawing on their Quaker values rooted in love, peace, and social justice, .O’s practice embraces a care-based, trauma-informed, healing justice approach to community organizing in support of social and environmental justice. .O is a staff member and Healing Justice Coordinator of Philly Thrive, a Philadelphia-based environmental justice organization focused on improving the health and well-being of the city’s residents and supporting a just transition to a cleaner, healthier future. S/He is a founding member of Alternatives to Gun Violence, a community healing collaborative committed to social justice in the Philadelphia area. A longtime Quaker, .O is a member of Central Philadelphia Monthly Meeting, and leads Love and Respect Transform, a ministry that focuses on deepening our understanding and experience of alternatives to social and environmental violence by exploring the transformative power of love.
Olyvia Armstrong | Campaigns Director, Pennsylvania Voice
Olyvia Armstrongis the Democracy Campaigns Director at Pennsylvania Voice. Pennsylvania Voice is the 501(c)3 table for more than 55 state and local-based organizations, working year-round to create a more accessible, inclusive, and representative democracy by amplifying the voices, leadership, and expertise of communities that have historically experienced deliberate barriers to civic participation. In this role, Olyvia leads two workgroups that make up the campaigns department: one focused on voting rights, and the other on reflective democracy. Our Voting Rights work is focused on modernizing elections to make voting more convenient and fully accessible to all, currently through Same Day and Early Vote legislation. Our Reflective Democracy work focuses on community leadership and governance that is accountable to community interests and needs. This includes work on the Census, redistricting, and an emerging campaign to pass a state-level voting rights act.
Sterling Ellison | Executive Projects Senior Manager, YW Boston
Sterling Ellison (they/them) is an anti-oppression and conflict facilitator, liberatory coach, and transformative justice practitioner/abolitionist, with 10+ years of experience focusing on interpersonal violence/harm and community accountability skill-building. For the past four years, Sterling has worked at YW Boston as the Executive Projects Senior Manager and is a former professional track & field athlete, sponsored by adidas, from 2015-2021. They hold a bachelor’s degree in Communication, Political Science & Africana Studies from Villanova University and an MA in Migration Policy from the University of Birmingham (UK) as the 2014-2015 US-UK Fulbright Scholar. Sterling is a Black, queer, and trans non-binary being who adores cooking, ice cream and tea lattes, and finds deep meaning in creating space for the unsaid and unseen. They live with their partner and two cats in Philadelphia, PA, on unceded Lenape land.
I grew up in West Philadelphia and most recently attended Lincoln Technical Institute. I’m passionate about creating warm, welcoming spaces where children can truly learn and thrive, and I believe that a strong investment in our public schools is essential to making that vision a reality. In my free time, you’ll usually find me binge-watching old TV shows, getting lost in a good book, or working on a crochet project. I believe in the power of stepping outside of your comfort zone to make meaningful change, and that mindset is what brought me to the LEV fellowship. Before joining LEV, I understood that there were big differences between Philadelphia’s public schools and others—but now I truly grasp how harmful those gaps in resources can be. I try to live by the golden rule and stay grounded in kindness and respect in everything I do.
